Previous Next Latest

Jackson’s “This Is It” DVD Pushed to 2010, Doc Dominates Theaters

10/30/09, 9:19 am EST


Michael Jackson’s This Is It grossed $20.1 million worldwide in its first official day in theaters, raking in $7.4 million in domestic box office and a remarkable $12.7 million overseas. This Is It’s haul comes up short when compared Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: The Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour, which grossed $8.6 million its first day in theaters on its way to the current highest-grossing debut week for a concert film, Variety reports. However, Hannah debuted on a Friday, while This Is It’s official premiere came on an October Wednesday during the World Series, so by early estimates Jackson should be King of the box office this weekend.

Look back at Jackson’s life and career, in photos.

It was previously reported that a This Is It DVD would be released prior to Christmas, but due to a regulation that usually forces studios to wait a minimum 90 days before releasing a new film to DVD, This Is It has been pushed to a late January or early February DVD release, the Los Angeles Times reports. Because the film will only have a two-week theatrical run, Sony executives argued that a This Is It DVD should circumvent the agreement between theater owners and movie studios, but the theater chains relented. According to the LAT, This Is It will be shown on 6,000 screens in 3,481 theaters these next two weeks, so Sony opted to push the DVD release date to 2010, but will miss out on the Christmas profits.

In one last piece of This Is It news, the AP reports that Sony will submit the documentary for Academy Award consideration in categories ranging from film editing and sound to Best Picture and Best Director. Unfortunately, the most noteworthy category in which This Is It had the best chances of competing, the Best Documentary Oscar, already passed its deadline, making Jackson’s rehearsal footage film ineligible. The Elizabeth Taylor-approved film will also be ineligible for the Golden Globes, which doesn’t recognize documentaries. Because this year’s Oscars will feature an expanded Best Picture field of 10 nominees, based on its rave reviews it’s plausible that This Is It might score a nod for the King of Pop.

Related Stories:

Michael Jackson’s Final Dreams Come to Life as “This Is It” Film Premieres
At the Movies With Peter Travers: “This Is It”
Michael Jackson’s “This Is It” On Pace to Break Movie Records


Previous Next Latest

Comments

bh in ut | 11/1/2009, 9:51 am EST

Saw the fild Friday. I had no trouble waling in 30 minutes early and geting a ticket for 7:30 prime time on a Saturday night. It looked like about 30 or 40 empty seats which would make it a near sell-out. It was incredible, especially when you realize you ar enot watching the show, just run throughs, with bits and pieces of the actual show would look like when it was in Britain. I never lost interest and it had some very candid moments of Michael that showed how he was outside the persona. I will definitely own this.

Lifer | 11/1/2009, 2:33 pm EST

NO NO NO!

it should be released prior to Christmas!
it’ll make SOO much money if they do it like that!

waiting till 2010 is gonna be a bad move.

GG | 11/1/2009, 2:59 pm EST

MJ THIS IS IT, should be released at Christmas, you can’t have christmas without MJ’s THIS IS IT. I’ve already seen the film twice and i’m addicted, don’t think i can wait til next year. i think they should forget the rules of releasing a new film cuz THIS IS IT is brilliant,very funny, MJ’s best documentary ever.It shows how charming,witty,unique and how his music/dance moves got everybody having fun and not care about how you look/dance to his iconic rhythm.the best bit about the film are:

1.MJ the king of pop
2.Gotta be starting something
3.The russian woman {hahaha laugh so hard my stomach hurt}.
4. being so close to mj yet so very very far.xxxxlove MJ forever xxxxxx

GG | 11/1/2009, 3:13 pm EST

If the film can’t come out on dvd this year i think it should stay in cinemas far longer than 2 weeks.
IT’s ONLY FAR to MJ’s FANS….
xxx MJ xxx for life xxx

GG | 11/1/2009, 3:36 pm EST

MJ should have been nominet more Awards in his time. Micheal’s creativeness for This Is It,is the best movie of this year compaired to others they have nothing on micheal.

sc341 | 11/1/2009, 4:48 pm EST

The movie was good but for some reason they did not have the sound loud enough in the theater where I saw it. I wanted it to be a lot louder.

leslie renee | 11/2/2009, 4:30 am EST

i’ve seen the film twice in five days, and pre-ordered my copy of THIS IS IT the first night i watched it. i’d really like for the DVD to come out for christmas, but then again, there are laws. i just don’t think i can wait until 2010 to watch it again. i’m planning on seeing it at least one more time in the next week and a half. :D p.s. i’m getting a MJ tattoo on my right arm soon. :D

Ron Jenkins | 11/2/2009, 7:47 pm EST

“This Is It’s haul comes up short when compared Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: The Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour, which grossed $8.6 million”

Since this was posted on 10/30, I guess you didn’t get the memo yet – This Is It has now SURPASSED Hannah Montana as the top grossing concert flick with at $101 million dollar take in just 5 days (Hannah Montana grossed 70 million in total)

Ann | 11/3/2009, 10:30 am EST

I, too, cannot wait for the release of the DVD of This Is It. Michael Jackson was an absolute genius. I miss him terribly. I love Michael and his darling children. I wish the entertainer that have made such “wonderful” comments about Michael since his passing had supported him when he was alive.

terry | 11/4/2009, 9:43 pm EST

yes-in michaels honor-sony-make an exception-release it xmas-its only showing 2 weeks-so those rules shouldnt apply-give something back to him-

standupforthelittleman | 11/6/2009, 1:33 am EST

I am just happy that there is even going to be a dvd. When I heard about the movie back in september, I was told that there was not going to be a dvd and that it would only play in theaters for 2 weeks. So just finding out that there will be a dvd makes me happy. I don’t really care if it comes out in January. I’ll just be happy to own a copy of what could be the best documentary of all time. Michael Jackson was a genius. And although he is not what us on earth any longer, he still lives on in our hearts and memories. His legacy will live on forever, there is just no way people could ever forget about him. I love you soo much michael, I hope you’re up in heaven teaching god how to moonwalk. Rest in peace

Colette | 11/7/2009, 3:51 am EST

I agree, let MJ have his DVD out for Xmas! He deserves an exception to be made. Saw This Is It twice already and both times was in awe of both his genius, but also his wit and playful ways. Was wonderful to all his crew and had no arrogance about him at all. He was down to earth and not a freak at all. Was lovely to see him in his world. He still had it and the comeback would have been the comeback of all time. I miss you Michael….xxxx

nancy adams | 11/8/2009, 6:37 pm EST

i grew up with micheal jacksons music ,as i was born in 68.i roller skated to his music,danced,and my grown kids were raised listning to him.
i am a true fan, and new he was great way before his death,i saw the movie and it just made me love him even more.
he had so much love to give this world,it always came through his songs,likethe song we are the world staring so many stars in his video. i hope the world can learn from micheals death, that we the world should never judge one another,its a waste of our precious time here in this life,so as a true fan i will for micheal,not judge and make a change…..love you micheal….you will be rememberd for generations to come…..

andrew | 11/9/2009, 10:09 am EST

i think you might make more money if you release this is it on dvd this christmas

Anonymous | 11/9/2009, 12:39 pm EST

the movie should still come out on DVD at Christmas. They would make a lot more money that way.

carolyn wilson | 11/9/2009, 3:37 pm EST

I grew up listening to michael jackson music and never seen him concert until now. The movie felt like he was truely their. Part of me was so very happy to see him in those last few moments. And the other part of me was sadden by the fact that we really didn’t know the special person he really is in life. I am so greatful for the release of THIS IS IT. And i hope that it comes out very soon on dvd, because it cost me alot to see him over and over again in the theaters. Love you always michael jackson.

dancer | 11/10/2009, 5:47 pm EST

screw that im on cruches soooo i cant go c it it should comeout now there stil make a shitload of cash i wanna c that movie ilove mj hes my hero well kinda acully i just love that man mj

Big Michael Jackson Fanatic | 11/10/2009, 8:19 pm EST

I think it should come out today! i love “This Is It” i can watch it over and over and over and over and over..

Man Sony Playing foreal!

Denise | 11/12/2009, 12:06 pm EST

Guess I’ll have to see the movie again (saw it twice) – was hoping it would be out in the next month or so – can not wait until January to see it again…movie theatre here I come again!

Deborah Ffrench | 11/15/2009, 5:09 am EST

A way will be found to vindicate Michael in time, but it must be remembered that telling the truth is hard to do for some people, especially when they know they would effectively be opening the door to the media’s gaze. I ask all of us now to do stop buying into the thought that we are powerless – and instead, do something very powerful.

An intention has been set in effect. And everyone who wants to, is being asked to ‘Hold The Vision’ of this intention:

‘That the truth of Michael’s integrity and the innocence of his relationships with children will be unequivocally proved and known by all – in our lifetime.’

When you think of Michael, re-affirm that intention in your mind and in your heart. Put all the desire you have for the successful unfolding of this vision into this intention. If the millions who love Michael do this daily, we will do more to affect change than we ever knew possible.

mjfan01 | 11/16/2009, 11:54 am EST

the movie was very AWSOME. i watched it the first night it came out. i m glad it will be on dvd, because i will buy it and watch it over and over. ive already bought the cd, and am a true fan. i believe he is innocent and deserves more credit.

Dennis | 11/17/2009, 5:28 am EST

I saw it twice so far, and it makes me sad knowing that this great being of such enormous talent has danced on his last stage ever and we are all watching it in this movie.

Also, I agree with everyone else that the movie should be put out on DVD before Christmas.Even if they released it one or two weeks before Christmas, it would sell like crazy! The biggest shopping season of the year, they would be so foolish not to release it!

TONYWEBB | 11/19/2009, 1:20 am EST

THE MJ THIS IS IT SHOUD BE OUT ON DVD IN 2010 I SEN IT ONEC I WOUD LIKE TO SEE IT AGIN AND AGIN AND NOT GET TIERD OF IT IT WAS A GOOD MOVIE EVERYBODY SOUD BUY IT WHEN IT COMES OUT I WAS HIMS FOR HALLOOWEN EVERYBODY HAND ME DO THE MONWAK AND I WOUD DO IT AGIN THINK YOU. TONYWEBB HIS BIGEST FAN EVER

AC | 11/20/2009, 11:58 pm EST

This is only gonna make people want the movie more and turn to illegal options witch is shit for Sony.

jlewis379 | 11/21/2009, 11:05 am EST

I saw this movie three times, and wish I could go see it again. Theaters near my home stopped showing it on Thursday. It will be difficult to wait until January or February to see it, but it gives me something to look forward to in those cold, wintry months.

MJ Fan #1 | 11/22/2009, 12:21 pm EST

I love MJ he is the best, i believe that he shoudl be called the king, not the king of pop. and yes i do agree, they shoould release the movie out on dvd for christmas, they would sellling out like mad.

teresa | 11/22/2009, 6:29 pm EST

m.j was and is a super mega star i saw this is it 7 times i loved the movie cant wait to get the dvd , it was the most togethe footage movie ive ever seen.i am going to buy 3 copies of the dvd loved it rock on m.j

Post A Comment

Caution: Off-topic comments will be deleted

Name:

Comments:



Advertisement

Advertisement