LOS ANGELES — Michael Jackson’s final bow began Tuesday as fans all across the world caught their first glimpse of This Is It.
The concert film, opening in 99 countries Tuesday and Wednesday, offers fans a rare, behind-the-scenes look at Jackson as he rehearsed for his sold-out concerts that would have taken place over the 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.
A star-studded premiere was held Tuesday night at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, a venue located across the street from Staples Center, where many of Jackson’s rehearsals were held.
“This film is Michael’s gift to his fans,” the film’s director, Kenny Ortega, previously said 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.”
Jackson, who died on June 25 from acute propofol intoxication, scored five nominations for the upcoming American Music Awards.
Also see: This Is It Premiere Red Carpet Photos.
Check out a preview of Michael Jackson’s This Is It:
