Michael Jackson's This Is It is a 2009 American documentaryâ€"concert
film about Michael Jackson's rehearsals and preparation for the
concert series of the same name scheduled to start on July 13, 2009,
but cancelled due to his death eighteen days prior on June 25. The
film includes additional behind the scenes footage, including dancer
auditions and costume design. The film's director, Kenny Ortega,
confirmed that none of the footage was originally intended for
release, but after Jackson's death, it was agreed that the film would
be made. The footage was filmed in California at the Staples Center
and The Forum.The film was given a worldwide release and a limited
two-week theatrical run from October 28 to November 12, 2009, but the
theatrical release was later extended. Tickets went on sale a month
early on September 27 to satisfy a high anticipated demand; the film
broke numerous pre-sale and box office records.Since the film's
confirmation, AEG Live faced criticism, mostly consisting of claims
that they had only made the film to make a profit. Multiple members of
Jackson's family had confirmed that they did not support the film, and
some family members went as far as to try to stop the film agreement
in August. The film has also been surrounded by allegations regarding
the appearance of body doubles in place of Jackson, which Sony denied,
and it faced an outrage from some of Jackson's fans, with some going
as far as to start a protest against the film. In August 2009, a judge
approved a deal between Jackson's estate, concert promoter AEG Live,
and Sony Pictures. The agreement allowed Sony to edit the hundreds of
hours of rehearsal footage needed to create the film; Sony
subsequently paid $50 million for the film rights.
film about Michael Jackson's rehearsals and preparation for the
concert series of the same name scheduled to start on July 13, 2009,
but cancelled due to his death eighteen days prior on June 25. The
film includes additional behind the scenes footage, including dancer
auditions and costume design. The film's director, Kenny Ortega,
confirmed that none of the footage was originally intended for
release, but after Jackson's death, it was agreed that the film would
be made. The footage was filmed in California at the Staples Center
and The Forum.The film was given a worldwide release and a limited
two-week theatrical run from October 28 to November 12, 2009, but the
theatrical release was later extended. Tickets went on sale a month
early on September 27 to satisfy a high anticipated demand; the film
broke numerous pre-sale and box office records.Since the film's
confirmation, AEG Live faced criticism, mostly consisting of claims
that they had only made the film to make a profit. Multiple members of
Jackson's family had confirmed that they did not support the film, and
some family members went as far as to try to stop the film agreement
in August. The film has also been surrounded by allegations regarding
the appearance of body doubles in place of Jackson, which Sony denied,
and it faced an outrage from some of Jackson's fans, with some going
as far as to start a protest against the film. In August 2009, a judge
approved a deal between Jackson's estate, concert promoter AEG Live,
and Sony Pictures. The agreement allowed Sony to edit the hundreds of
hours of rehearsal footage needed to create the film; Sony
subsequently paid $50 million for the film rights.
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