Michael Jackson's "This Is It," to be Presented In Theaters Around The World

MICHAEL JACKSON'S "THIS IS IT" TO BE PRESENTED IN THEATERS AROUND THE WORLD BY SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT AND SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
-Film Drawn From Legendary Entertainer's Last Rehearsals and Behind-The-Scenes Footage Will Be Released October 30th in High Definition with Digital Sound-

CULVER CITY, Calif., August 10, 2009 - Beginning October 30th, the world will have a front-row seat for Michael Jackson's final concert, as Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sony Music Entertainment release Michael Jackson's This Is It.

This Is It is being produced with the full support of The Estate of Michael Jackson and will be drawn from hundreds of hours of rehearsal and behind-the-scenes footage, captured in high definition with state-of-the-art digital sound as the late singer was preparing for his concert series in London. The film, which will also offer select sequences in 3-D, will provide a unique career retrospective and feature interviews with some of Jackson's closest friends and creative collaborators.

The announcement was made by Michael Lynton, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sony Pictures Entertainment, Amy Pascal, Co-Chairman of the studio, Rolf Schmidt-Holtz, Chief Executive Officer of Sony Music Entertainment, and Rob Stringer, Chairman of Columbia/Epic Label Group, a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment. The companies serve as the principal entertainment divisions of Sony Corporation.

Joining Sony in the announcement was The Estate of Michael Jackson, administered by his longtime attorney John Branca and veteran music executive John McClain, a Jackson family friend for more than 40 years. Proceeds the Estate earns from the film's release will benefit the Michael Jackson Family Trust, the entity that Mr. Jackson specified in his will is to receive all of his assets.

The rights to the exclusive footage were acquired from AEG Live and The Estate of Michael Jackson. Sony Pictures and Sony Music will co-produce with AEG Live and the Estate, and Sony Pictures will distribute the film worldwide. Randy Phillips and Paul Gongaware of AEG Live will serve as producers of the film.

The majority of the film's footage was shot in June, 2009 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California, and The Forum in Inglewood, California, as Jackson prepared for "This Is It," the series of fifty concerts Jackson planned to present at the O2 Arena in London.

This Is It will offer Jackson fans and music lovers worldwide a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the performer, his career, and the stage spectacular that would have been. The film will provide moviegoers with an unforgettable front row experience compiled from extensive footage that shows Jackson's meticulous preparation for his 2009 London shows.

Said Branca, "Our goal is to work with partners who treat Michael's legacy with dignity and respect, while allowing us to substantially build the value of his estate for the benefit of Mrs. Katherine Jackson, Michael's three children and the charitable causes that meant so much to him during his life. We are confident we found the right partners for this project in Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sony Music Entertainment. Sony and Michael enjoyed a long and mutually beneficial history together, and it's only fitting that the relationship continues."

Said McClain, "This film is not only a tribute to an artist who created excitement every moment he was on stage, but also is a fitting gift to the millions of fans worldwide who loved him and who he devoted his professional life to entertaining. John and I are thrilled to be working with Sony to build on Michael's musical legacy in a way that will generate significant proceeds for his family and for children in need."

"People who have seen this footage are astounded by the amazing quality of Michael Jackson's performance," said Lynton. "This historic recording of the last time he sang and danced on stage shows the legendary artist in an incredibly powerful way, with crystal clear images and sound. We understand the importance of producing a film that pays tribute to Michael as an artist, and are honored to work with the Estate of Michael Jackson to give audiences the gift of his final performances. I know this film will serve as further proof that Michael Jackson is one of the greatest entertainers who ever graced a stage."

"Michael lives on through his songs, his creative genius, his body of work and his passion for his art," said Rob Stringer. "He was a perfectionist on stage and through this unique film, audiences will be able to see, many for the first time, how much Michael poured into making his performances as special as they were perfect."

Said Kenny Ortega, director of and Jackson's creative partner on the This Is It concert, "The world will see what our team was so fortunate to experience, which was the full commitment, passion and creativity that Michael put into this project. He was the architect of This Is It, and we were his builders. The footage that was captured from the early stages of the production to our technical rehearsals at the STAPLES Center in L.A. will show Michael as he truly was, creatively involved with every aspect of the production, from the staging and choreography, to the music, lighting, production design and conception of the original short films and video backdrops. It will also show Michael as one of the greatest entertainers in the world and one of the industry's most creative minds. This Is It was Michael's last theatrical work and although it was still a work in progress, I think the footage will show that the process was something that Michael deeply enjoyed and that it was clear that he was on his way to another theatrical triumph."

In the coming weeks, additional information about the film will be available at www.michaeljackson.com.

Peter Schlessel, President of Worldwide Affairs, negotiated for the footage on behalf of Sony Pictures. Branca represented The Estate of Michael Jackson.

Michael Jackson, one of the most widely beloved entertainers and profoundly influential artists of all-time, leaves an indelible imprint on popular music and culture.

Five of Jackson's solo albums - "Off the Wall," "Thriller," "Bad," "Dangerous" and "HIStory," all with Epic Records, a Sony Music label - are among the top-sellers of all time and "Thriller" holds the distinction as the largest selling album worldwide in the history of the recording industry with more than 70 million units sold. Additionally, singles released from the Thriller album sold more than 100 million copies worldwide, another all time record.

During his extraordinary career, he sold an estimated 750 million records worldwide, released 13 No.1 singles and became one of a handful of artists to be inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Guinness Book of World Records recognized Jackson as the Most Successful Entertainer of All Time and "Thriller" as the Biggest Selling Album of All Time. Jackson won 13 Grammy Awards and received the American Music Award's Artist of the Century Award.

Michael Jackson started in the music business at the age of 11 with his brothers as a member of the Jackson 5. In the early 1980s, he defined the art form of music video with such ground-breaking videos as "Billie Jean," "Beat It" and the epic "Thriller." Jackson's sound, style and dance moves inspired subsequent generations of pop, soul, R&B and hip-hop artists.

About Sony Pictures Entertainment
Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America (SCA), a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; digital content creation and distribution; worldwide channel investments; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of filmed entertainment in more than 130 countries. Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at www.sonypictures.com.

About Sony Music Entertainment
Sony Music Entertainment is a global recorded music company with a roster of current artists that includes a broad array of both local artists and international superstars. The company boasts a vast catalog that comprises some of the most important recordings in history. It is home to premier record labels representing music from every genre, including American Recordings, Arista Nashville, Arista Records, Aware, Battery Records, Beach Street Records, Black Seal, BNA Records, Cinematic, Columbia Nashville, Columbia Records, Epic Records, Essential Records, Flicker Records, Fo-Yo Soul, GospoCentric, Hitz Committee Entertainment, J Records, Jive Records, LaFace Records, Legacy Recordings, Masterworks, Polo Grounds, RCA Records, RCA Nashville, RCA Red Seal, RCA Victor, Reunion Records, Slightly Dangerous, Sony Classical, Sony Music Latin, Star Time International, Verity Records, and Volcano Entertainment. Sony Music Entertainment is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America. For more information, visit www.sonymusic.com.

Comments for this News article

THIS MOVIE COMES OUT 20 DAYS AFTER MY B-DAY I CAN NOT WAIT I WILL NEVER FORGET THE TIMES MICHAEL AND I SHARED BACKSTAGE AT CONCERTS. I WILL NEVER FORGET THE HEART TO HEART TALKS WE HAD ABOUT FAMLIY AND I WILL NEVER FORGET WHAT HE TOLD AT HIS 30 YEARS AS A SOLO ARTIST '' I'M GLAD TO HAVE A FAN LIKE SOMEONE WHO UNDERSTANDS WHAT I'VE BEEN THOUGH I'M LUCKY TO HAVE A FAN LIKE YOU I LOVE YOU WITH ALL OF MY HEART MICHAELLE" I WILL NEVER FORGET WHEN I MET HIS KIDS I WILL NEVER FORGET MEETING THE WHOLE JACKSON FAMLIY I WILL NEVER FORGET THE LAUGHS WE ALL HAD TOGETHER I WILL NEVER FOR GET MICHAEL JACKSON I WILL LOVE HIM FOR AND EVER I MADE THE PROMISE TO LOVE HIM FOREVER MORE.

This is so wonderful! I'll bet he would have loved this. It truly is a lasting gift to the fans from Michael. Thank you Michael.

xo

i think all the profits from the movie tickets should go to the heal the world foundation that michael set up. in honour

Wow, that will be so good to see! Im so excited! I miss u Michael and love u so much!

Though I am really looking forward to this, it will be bittersweet to see Michael performing one last time. I'm glad they want to do it right and have the full support of Michael's estate. My greatest regret is that I never got to see him perform in person. Sad

I hope it will be a picture depicting something as beautiful as his soul! It is my very hope that it will be a positive film of Michael and not one of the mediocre tabloid junk. I look forward to it! I miss him so much, that I still want to see more of him. MICHAEL JACKSON, I LOVE YOU FOREVER!

MAN! I KNEW THERE WAS GOING TO BE A MOVIE ABOUT MICHAEL JACKSON IN THE YEARS TO COME. BUT NEVER DID I THINK IT WAS GOING TO BE THIS EARLY AFTER HIS PASSING. I AM SUPER EXCITED AND I WILL SEE IT 500 TIMES IF I HAVE TO. MJ WILL LIVE ON FOREVER AND AND HE WILL FOREVER BE THE KING OF MUSIC.

THIS SHOULD BE ONE OF THE BEST MOVIES/DOCUMENTARIES/TRIBUTES OF THE CENTURY!

LONG LIVE THE KING!!!!!!!!!!!

Is there anybody who could tell me when will it be presented in GREECE????????????????????????????? PLEASE, i'm begging you, guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know where I will be come October 30th in the theater waiting for the beginning of This Is It!!! I can't wait and I really hope that Sony will be showing the Movie in Puerto Rico where I live. I know they will.
Michael Jackson was an incredible entertainer, I grew up with his music and I will surely miss him.
Sometimes I think it's a dream and that Michael is not dead and that we will see him soon live and on stage with all his incredible energy, I guess that day will be Oct.30th.

I want to thank Sony and everyone involved for bringing his fans this wonderful tribute to Micheal Jackson the greatest entertainer of all time.

Ricanhavoc

I CANT WAIT TO SEE IT IN THEATERS BUT I WISHED I WOULD HAD SAW HIM PERFORM IN PERSON..THT WAS MY GREATEST WISH..MICHAEL I MISS U SO MUCH,WHY DID U HAVE TO GO??

It would be the greatest present for all of us, MJJ fans.
But I think It would be also a huge pain to see Michael's rehearsals through the prism of his death. Knowing Michael's perfectionism, I foresee how hard Michael worked, how he burned himself on stage to prepare his performances. I feel so big LOVE Michael sends to us, his fans.

Michael is immortal... I love you more...

People and companies used Michael as a "money making machine" during his life and even after his death.I feel pain when I'm thinking about it...

Michael is immortal. We love you and we know the truth...

Yes I'm very happy for this film ,I never forget Michael....non manchero' per nulla al mondo, I would like to mention Michael over the years because of bad 'was more' happy, in recent years, unfortunately, had lost his smile, his friendliness and shyness was a dark veil over the eyes but I love you Michael................

I don't understand. Will there be a dvd? Will it be broadcast in cinemas? I hope yes and that we will can soon buy it in Greece as well.

This Is The Best News I Have Heard All Year....Please Support This Film...I Can See It Breaking All Types Of Records In Movie History!!!!!

www.facebook.com/drerhymez

www.myspace.com/drerhymez

MICHAEL JACKSON FAN IDEA: I was thinking about how nice it would be to walk up to a life sized image of Michael Jackson and JUST HUG HIM! Fans need to grieve.... to hold him. I think that from a fan perspective this would be great! As fans, we are hurting very badly we are still crying huge tears for Michael so many weeks later. Should be one at every Tribute and Michael Jackson fan club... We always asked Michael if we could "Hug him" and he has always been so gracious. Signed, A Heartbroken Loyal Fan in PA

If your going to make this film do it propperly and put everything into it take all the time if you need it just make it the most special and beautiful film ever for the moast special and beautiful on the inside and out man, M.J, i love you so much and i miss you more then anything in the world xx

If your going to make this film do it propperly and put everything into it take all the time if you need it just make it the most special and beautiful film ever for the moast special and beautiful on the inside and out man, M.J, i love you so much and i miss you more then anything in the world xx

Hey! Congratulations to Sony Music!!! I think all of the fans are happy with the idea of a film about MJ ...the only thing is that you have to make it in an appropiate way with the respect and honor that MJ deserves...don´t make bad things like Bashir documental or the tabloid press...just show us how wonderful he was....

First of all does anyone actually read what we the fans have to say or are we all voicing our opinions for nothing. As if it wasnt for FANS , these so called record companies such as sony wouldnt not make a dam thing.

So if you are listening, I want to say, I think that the movie is great but the dvd of his last concert should come out first or at the same time. If we watch the movie we most likely seen it all, but if some of us buy the dvd then we want to see his life even more.

My opinion but I might speak for a lot of us fans.

Last but not least, dont forget Sony people who really is making you the money. MJ

Hello everyone!
'This is it' is the best tribute that could give Michael and his fans that love him. Will be an incredible and unique show. The film shows the dedication and love for Michael that he handed in his work. Show the man and the artist unique and wonderful as always.

I thank with all my heart, everyone involved in this project.
Thank you for giving us one last view of the unique, extraordinary and wonderful artist that is Michael.

Michael I love you, forever!

THANK,YOU. SO VERY MUCH FOR THIS, I, AM A SUPER-FAN, AND I LOVE ALL THINGS, MICHAEL,JACKSON. MICHAEL,JOSEPH JACKSON MEANS THEWORLD TO ME. AND I CAN NOT WAIT TO SEE THE MOVIE. THANX AGAIN, FOR THINKING OF THE FANS. GOD-BLESS EVERY ONE INVOLVED. COOKIE, FROM B-MORE.

This is such wonderful news! What better way to honor Michael than to show him preparing for what he loved to do! I can't wait to see it! I hope it comes out on DVD after the movie theatre release. I miss you so much, Michael! I will love you forever with all of my heart!

Pretty cool, I hope everyone goes to see it!

I can't wait to see "This Is It" in the cinema's. I hope Sony produced an excellent film that will do Michael proud. God Bless The Amazing Michael Jackson !!!

OH MY GOD THIS IS GOOD NEWS I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT IT I CAN'T WAIT I WILL BE COUNTING THE DAYS, I CAN'T BELIEVE WE ARE GOING TO SEE HIM ONE MORE TIME DOING HIS THING, OMG I AM CRYING OF JOY NOW.
THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS TO US THE FANS.

I LOVE YOU MICHAEL, YOU ARE ALWAYS IN MY HEART

That's cool, I can't wait.
But I'd rather just have only Michael's footage than people talking about him.

No sé cuando podremos verla aquí en España,pero estoy ansiosa de que llegue aquí tambien.
Será increíble volverle a ver como si no se hubiese ido nunca.Va a ser una revolución para todos nosotros,sus fans.

I love Michael.

Michael forever.

Yolanda Spain.

I can't wait until the tickets go on sale. I've been watching his Live Dangerous concert from when he performed in Romania in 1992 almost every night

Finally an answer. And one I can barely wait for. I hope this film does him the justice he deserves. What a fitting memorial to the man who was, and always will be, King!

I'm so excited about this. I'm sure it will be amazing.

Is this going to be in all theaters?

Hello everyone! I do not know when the can see in Portugal, but I am excited by the news of the arrival of the movie! It will be exciting to see the Michael roulade with all that shine! I am sure that this is the best gift that could have given to us fans!
I love you Michael! Will always be in my heart!

Michael Jackson: 1958-Forever

As much as I want to see him alive, I'm glad that things are working out to keep Michael's legacy. The legend continues...God bless Michael. Always in my heart.

Will the Spanish fans able to watch it too?

MICHAEL JACKSON; FOREVER THE GOD!

i'm so excited about this. it makes me sad that i didn't get to see him in concert. but now i get the chance to see what it would of been like. michael will always live in my heart. god bless

Well, well! I love it that thers coming that film and a lot more, BUT WHY WITH SONY??????????
He HATED Sony!!!! Look what he sad about SONY: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIb9PFrmCT4&feature=related
So why doing this against his Will?

Omg!!! Ahhhhh!!! im sooo excited for this i cant wait, im gonna be counting down the days for this movie to come out. this is the most wonderful news u could possibly give me right now sense i wasnt lucky enough to see him live this will be the perfect oppertunity to go see him even if its just on TV Sad. but im probly gonna start crying at theatre and it will make me said to realize wut we all missed out on, the greatest comeback tour ever it was sure to be increadable. thank u to everyone who is making this possible. And rest in peace Michael.

Glad to be launched this movie so fast, Michael deserve such effort! But I think it's a commercial thing for Sony, which in recent years abandoned the total, not have promoted the greatest artist of all time. Great shame!
There are generations of young people who have just heard Michael's music and are fascinated, not knew that the world lived in such a genius!
He was kept in the shadows all these years by Sony, and now after his death began to make money, just as they want, it left him in poverty in recent years without any explanation! Probably they thought pedophiles!
I would have flummox any role in his death for them was more valuable dead!
Question: when will be in Romania?
We love it, I did not betray ever!
I love Michael, the king of my heart!

oHHHHH yay!!!!!!!! i cant wait to see this!!!! i can just imagine everyone dancing there butts off at the theaters!

I LOVE YOU MICHAEL!!!

I am so excited about this. Sony? I thought Michael was in some kind of dispute with them. Guess they gotta find a way to get in where they fit in. I don't know. But anywayz, I am thrilled to death to know that I will get to see Michael perform again. Note to self: stock up on kleenex and eye drops.

This is amazing!!!!! I'm so excited! Plese bring this to Portugal. People always forget about us for some stupid reason. We may have a small country but there are many MJ fans here. xD

I can't wait to see it, I can't wait and help support his children and I hope everyone goes out and sees it to support Michael Jackson and keep his legacy alive.

Love you and Miss you MJ!

YES!!! Michael will be breaking Box Office Records!!!!!!!!!! Cannot wait!!!!!

I can't wait!!!!! It will be so good to go and see MJ in theaters!!! Smiling
R.I.P MJ! you will forever be the king of pop!! Smiling

YEPPEE!!! I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THE KING ON THE BIG SCREEN...THIS IS GONNA BE FANTASTIC Smiling:)Smiling I LOVE YOU MICHAEL..