August 24
For immediate release
“MICHAEL JACKSON THIS IS IT”
TO BE PRESENTED EXCLUSIVELY FOR TWO-WEEK LIMITED
ENGAGEMENT AROUND THE WORLD;
TICKETS TO GO ON SALE SEPTEMBER 27;
INTIMATE PORTRAIT OF MICHAEL JACKSON AS YOU’VE NEVER SEEN
HIM BEFORE TO HIT THEATRES WORLDWIDE OCTOBER 28
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 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 a gift to Michaels 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
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 / Mile 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.
For More Information:
Xanthe Bates
National Publicity and Promotions Manager
Sony Pictures Releasing Australia
Phone: 02 9272 2919
Email: Xanthe_Bates@spe.sony.com
Danielle McEwan
Director, National Publicity & Artist Development
Sony Music Australia
Phone: 02 9383 6435
Email: Danielle.McEwan@sonymusic.com
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