HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Michael Jackson’s “This Is It” movie will open two days earlier, beginning a limited, two-week run on Oct. 28, Sony Pictures announced Thursday.
Tickets for the film will go sale on Sunday, Sept. 27, the studio said.
The concert film will offer fans a rare, behind-the-scenes look at Jackson as he rehearsed for his sold-out concerts that would have taken place this summer at London’s O2 Arena. The film is drawn from more than one hundred hours of behind-the-scenes footage, featuring Jackson between April and May as he rehearsed for his comeback shows. Audiences will be given an inside look at the King of Pop as he creates and perfects his final show.
“This film is Michael’s gift to his fans,” said the film’s director, Kenny Ortega, in a statement. “As we began assembling the footage for the motion picture we realized we captured something extraordinary, unique and very special. It’s a very private, exclusive look into a creative genius’s world. For the first time ever, fans will see Michael as they have never seen him before – this great artist at work. It is raw, emotional, moving and powerful footage that captures his interactions with the ‘This Is It’ collaborators that he had personally assembled for this once in a lifetime project”
“This film shows a consummate performer working with and guiding singers, dancers, band members, choreographers, special effects creators and countless other creative members of the team as we all assemble this historic concert,” continued Ortega. “I can think of many words to describe Michael as he rehearses for and creates ‘This Is It’— inspirational, dynamic, generous, dedicated, loving and the guiding force—you see him as the true architect and driving force of this project — a true master of his craft, the Entertainer of Entertainers. I’m proud of the many years of friendship and creative association I shared with Michael and I’m happy that people will get a chance to see his spirit and drive in action. ‘This Is It’ may go down as the greatest concert that no one got a chance to see, but with this film, we get a rare portrait of Michael as he prepares for his final curtain call and what I believe was going to be his master work.”
