Michael Jackson film has cinema run extended
Michael Jackson’s ‘This Is It’ film has had its cinema run extended.
The footage from the ‘Thriller’ star’s rehearsals for his doomed comeback shows has proved a box office hit, making more than $101m (€68.5m) worldwide since it opened in cinemas on October 28.
This has prompted Sony pictures to extend its cinema run from an initial two weeks by another three weeks in the US and between one and three weeks in other countries.
Of the decision, Sony Pictures spokesperson Rory Bruer said: “He's just loved everywhere on the planet.”
'This Is It' was screened simultaneously at 19 premieres around the world last week.
Choreographer and film director Kenny Ortega has previously explained why he made the movie, saying that fans can see the “real unguarded honesty” in the tapes.
He added: "I got so many messages from fans around the world asking to see the shows, asking to see the footage and eventually I realised the journey wasn't over and we had to do this. It is for the fans."
The film is drawn from more than 100 hours of behind-the-scenes clips shot in Los Angeles during rehearsals for the ‘This Is It’ shows.
However, a group of fans calling themselves 'This Is Not It' have called for a boycott of the film, claiming it covered up the 'Thriller' star's poor health.
They also said it glosses over the enormous stress Michael was under when he died of acute Propofol intoxication on June 25, weeks before he was scheduled to begin the 'This Is It' shows.
