Five Things We Know About Michael Jackson's 'This Is It' Documentary
In just four months since Michael Jackson passed away, Columbia Pictures has managed to produce a documentary chronicling the King Of Pop's rehearsals for his sold-out "This Is It" tour. The intended 50-date run at London's O2 venue was scheduled to begin July 13, just a few weeks after Michael's untimely June 25 death.
The "This Is It" film hits theatres worldwide today and has already set yet another record for the globally acclaimed performer, thanks to enthusiastic fans who have been aggressively purchasing tickets.
We are anxious to see "This Is It" and have compiled a list of 5 things we know about the movie.
1. 'It' Will Feature The Following Songs
Michael Jackson has such a
massive catalog of hit records that it would be difficult to slip in too many
surprises into the documentary "This Is It." Viewers can expect to see
rehearsal footage of Michael performing "The Way You Make Me Feel," "Smooth
Criminal," "Human Nature," "Earth Song," "Man In The Mirror," "Heal The World,"
and what the "This Is It" production notes describe as his biggest hits from
the "Thriller" and "Bad" albums. The 1 hour and 57 minute movie will also
showcase Michael performing a Jackson
5 medley including songs "I Want You Back," "The Love You Save," and "I'll Be
There."
Check out this just-released footage of "Smooth Criminal":
2. Michael's Children Want To See 'It'
According to TMZ,
Michael's three children, Prince Michael, Paris, and Prince Michael II, will
see the movie Tuesday evening in a private screening at the Sony lot in Los Angeles. "This Is It"
choreographer Travis Payne told Access
Hollywood that the children expressed interest in seeing the film last week
when they were shown a preview. Access Hollywood
added that Michael's brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Randy are
scheduled to attend the premiere at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. But, sister LaToya and mother
Katherine Jackson told TV Guide that it is too early for them to watch the
movie. "I don't think I can bear to look at it right now," Katherine said. "But
eventually in time, I will watch it."
Is 'It' The Best Pre-selling Performance Movie?
From the moment
tickets went on sale for "This Is It," it was a contender to become the
performance movie with the best pre-sale tickets ever. According to Time,
more than 1,600 advance sellouts have been reported since the September 27
on-sale date. "This is a movie that's tailor-made for advance
ticketing," Paul Dergarabedian, a box-office analyst for Hollywood.com,
told Time. "People want to have peace of mind that they will not be turned
away."
'It' Will Be On DVD By 2010
"This Is It" is expected to
be released on DVD by January 20, AEG Live CEO Randy Phillips told Examiner.com.
Phillips said the rush to prep the DVD is one of the reasons why the movie was
given a two week theatrical run, citing a battle
between theaters/studios with DVD releases. "We were
trying to have the DVD out by Christmas," Phillips said, "but we missed the deadline." Phillips
added that the theatre dates could be extended if the movie performs well. The
DVD will reportedly contain the entire big screen version, plus interviews and
outtakes.
'It' Doesn't Feature Body Doubles
Rumors have circulated that a
body double for Michael Jackson was used to fill in some gaps in the movie. The
speculated arose after Joe Jackson commented that the media would "tear this
movie apart" and claimed that it was "mostly body doubles," TMZ
reports. However, a rep from Sony shot down the accounts. "This story is pure
garbage and there are no body doubles," the unnamed rep said. "Audiences will
begin to see the film [Tuesday] and every time they see the King Of Pop they
will know what every frame is unquestionable Michael as he rehearses and
prepares for the London
concerts that were to have begun this past summer."


R.I.P. MJ
Rest In Perfect Peace Michael Joseph Jackson!