Michael Jackson Docu Arrives Early

Sony Pictures and Sony Music have confirmed that they have pushed up the worldwide release of the Michael Jackson This Is It concert picture by two days to Oct. 28. The film, directed by Kenny Ortega, will play a two-week exclusive run. Tickets go on sale in most cities Sept. 27.

This Is It will consist of rehearsal and behind-the-scenes footage shot while Jackson prepared for his London concert tour. Ortega (who helmed the three High School Musical pics) choreographed the show.

Sony acquired the footage, shot during rehearsals at Staples Center and the Forum, from concert promoter AEG Live for as much as $60 million.

"This is Michael's gift to his fans," Ortega said. "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 at a creative genius' world."

Initially, there had been speculation that select sequences would be shown in digital 3-D. As of now, they won't.

Sony Pictures and Sony Music are co-producing the film with AEG Live and the Michael Jackson estate. Producers are AEG Live's Randy Phillips and Paul Gongaware.

By Pamela McClintock, Variety