Michael Jackson Concert Film Planned?

[GreenScar]

Michael Jackson This is It to Play for Two Weeks Starting Oct. 28

Sony Pictures Entertainment has announced that Michael Jackson This is It will be presented exclusively for a two-week limited engagement around the world starting on October 28th. Tickets will go on sale September 27:

Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sony Music Entertainment announced today that Michael Jackson THIS IS IT will be released exclusively for a special, limited, two-week engagement worldwide, with the studio pushing up the debut of the film by two days, to Wednesday, October 28th. Due to the anticipated demand for this film, tickets for the two-week presentation will go on sale in most cities beginning on Sunday, September 27th.

Separately, the producers of Michael Jackson THIS IS IT announced that Kenny Ortega has been set to direct the motion picture. The film is being produced with the full support of The Estate of Michael Jackson.

Commenting on the announcement, Ortega, director of and Jackson's creative partner on the THIS IS IT concert, said, "This film is Michael's gift to his fans. 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. 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."

Michael Jackson THIS IS IT will offer Jackson fans and music lovers worldwide a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the performer as he developed, created and rehearsed for his sold-out concerts that would have taken place beginning this summer in London's O2 Arena. Chronicling the months from April through June, 2009, the film is drawn from more than one hundred hours of behind-the-scenes footage, featuring Jackson rehearsing a number of his songs for the show. Audiences will be given a privileged and private look at the singer, dancer, filmmaker, architect, and genius as he creates and perfects his final show.

"I have never been partners with a more creative, innovative or groundbreaking entertainer than Michael Jackson," said Randy Phillips, President & CEO, AEG LIVE and producer of Michael Jackson THIS IS IT. "While the concerts would have been the greatest shows in the history of music, our film will provide a historic event for Michael's fans to see for themselves the genius that he was and the creativity, talent and imagination that the entire cast devoted to create the 'greatest concert that never happened'."

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

Dubbed the Billion Dollar Maestro by Daily Variety, Kenny Ortega has conquered Feature Films, Television, Stage, Concerts and massive Live Events such as The Olympics with equal excellence. As Michael Jackson's director and creative partner on THIS IS IT as well as the previous Jackson concert tours DANGEROUS and HISTORY, Mr. Ortega has been a friend, trusted colleague and collaborator of Michael Jackson's for over 20 years.

Kenny will segue from directing the film version of THIS IS IT to directing the Paramount feature film Footloose this fall. The multiple Emmy Award winner famously directed and visualized Disney's billion-dollar High School Musical franchise of films both for Television and as a Feature Film. Kenny directed the fastest selling concert tour in history, the Hannah Montana / Miley Cyrus "Best of Both Worlds Tour" featuring The Jonas Bros. This tour broke numerous records and extended its sell out tour by more than 20 shows. He also directed to tremendous praise the Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, Utah.

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I imagine a concert movie was probably planned already (from one of the London concerts). There's probably a lot of people (younger) that never got the chance to see Jackson in a live situation. What do you think? Should they piece the rehearsals together to make a MJ Movie?

Right before his death, Michael Jackson was getting ready for a 50-night schedule of shows in London, which would have been his last time on stage.

He was preparing at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, with several witness claiming that while Jackson was a bit sluggish, he was still incredible. And upon learning of his death, executives involved with the tour immediately secured the Staples Center rehearsal footage.

According to NBC Dateline [via Examiner], the rehearsal recordings are "great," with the last day of rehearsals on Wednesday being the "best," and that "there is enough footage for a show."

What the executives plan to do with this footage is still unknown. But since all of Jackson's shows were sold out and a "Hannah Montana" concert was very successful in theaters, there is a good chance that a Michael Jackson concert will soon appear on the big screen.

[GLaDOS]

Interesting. However, they need someone much like Jackson to impersonate for one of his live performances, in order to keep in authentic.

Mikey

[DetroitSportsFan]

I'd watch it. It would be cool to see him perform one last time.

[GreenScar]

We previously reported that footage of Michael Jackson rehearsing for his final tour could be turned into a movie. And now, THR has confirmed the news, adding that there are over 100 hours of hi-def material showing the singer performing his hits like "Thriller" and "Beat It." Other footage shows production meetings and auditions.

AEG Live, who organized the tour, owns the rights to the footage and could potentially also use it to create live albums and a pay-per-view TV special.

Part of the preparation also included the creation of 3D "mini-movies" involving "Thriller" and "Earth Song", which could also be incorporated into a film. The former is described as "nine minutes of 3D insanity" by AEG Live CEO Randy Phillips.

Phillips added that AEG Live is waiting for Jackson's estate to be settled to see who the company will be dealing with.

[Another_Dude]

The London dates were set up so that the companies Jackson owed money to would have a chance to see some of it actually come in. You better believe if there is any way to recover on their investment, dead or alive, they'll be doing it.

Moichendizing, Moichendizing, Moichendizing.

[Lord_Stewie]

http://www.cinecon.com/news/2289/son...t-film-oct-30/

october 30th looks like the date for the release.

[GreenScar]

Michael Jackson This is It to Play for Two Weeks Starting Oct. 28

Sony Pictures Entertainment has announced that Michael Jackson This is It will be presented exclusively for a two-week limited engagement around the world starting on October 28th. Tickets will go on sale September 27:

Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sony Music Entertainment announced today that Michael Jackson THIS IS IT will be released exclusively for a special, limited, two-week engagement worldwide, with the studio pushing up the debut of the film by two days, to Wednesday, October 28th. Due to the anticipated demand for this film, tickets for the two-week presentation will go on sale in most cities beginning on Sunday, September 27th.

Separately, the producers of Michael Jackson THIS IS IT announced that Kenny Ortega has been set to direct the motion picture. The film is being produced with the full support of The Estate of Michael Jackson.

Commenting on the announcement, Ortega, director of and Jackson's creative partner on the THIS IS IT concert, said, "This film is Michael's gift to his fans. 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. 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."

Michael Jackson THIS IS IT will offer Jackson fans and music lovers worldwide a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the performer as he developed, created and rehearsed for his sold-out concerts that would have taken place beginning this summer in London's O2 Arena. Chronicling the months from April through June, 2009, the film is drawn from more than one hundred hours of behind-the-scenes footage, featuring Jackson rehearsing a number of his songs for the show. Audiences will be given a privileged and private look at the singer, dancer, filmmaker, architect, and genius as he creates and perfects his final show.

"I have never been partners with a more creative, innovative or groundbreaking entertainer than Michael Jackson," said Randy Phillips, President & CEO, AEG LIVE and producer of Michael Jackson THIS IS IT. "While the concerts would have been the greatest shows in the history of music, our film will provide a historic event for Michael's fans to see for themselves the genius that he was and the creativity, talent and imagination that the entire cast devoted to create the 'greatest concert that never happened'."

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

Dubbed the Billion Dollar Maestro by Daily Variety, Kenny Ortega has conquered Feature Films, Television, Stage, Concerts and massive Live Events such as The Olympics with equal excellence. As Michael Jackson's director and creative partner on THIS IS IT as well as the previous Jackson concert tours DANGEROUS and HISTORY, Mr. Ortega has been a friend, trusted colleague and collaborator of Michael Jackson's for over 20 years.

Kenny will segue from directing the film version of THIS IS IT to directing the Paramount feature film Footloose this fall. The multiple Emmy Award winner famously directed and visualized Disney's billion-dollar High School Musical franchise of films both for Television and as a Feature Film. Kenny directed the fastest selling concert tour in history, the Hannah Montana / Miley Cyrus "Best of Both Worlds Tour" featuring The Jonas Bros. This tour broke numerous records and extended its sell out tour by more than 20 shows. He also directed to tremendous praise the Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, Utah.

[Lord_Stewie]

Originally Posted by GreenScar

Michael Jackson This is It to Play for Two Weeks Starting Oct. 28

I read on CNN (I gotta find the article I am looking for it right now) because of his mother's lawsuit (AEG, and some rights issues I am not sure) attempt the may be delayed or even not released at all depending on the outcome.

[BluPayne4400]

I guess either way "This Is IT".

[adh56]

Originally Posted by GreenScar

I imagine a concert movie was probably planned already (from one of the London concerts). There's probably a lot of people (younger) that never got the chance to see Jackson in a live situation. What do you think? Should they piece the rehearsals together to make a MJ Movie?

I think there is already too many younger kids who got to see Michael "in a live situation"