There's a bidding war going on for big-screen rights to Michael Jackson's final rehearsal footage, and according to reports in Variety and the Los Angeles Times, Sony Pictures is close to sealing the deal with an offer of over $50 million. AEG Entertainment reportedly has up to 80 hours of footage from Jackson's rehearsals for his planned "This Is It!" comeback concerts, which he continued working on through the day before his June 25 death. In addition, the feature film — which could be out as soon as this fall — would reportedly include interstitial videos shot for the concert series. High School Musical director Kenny Ortega, who helped plan the concerts and shot the footage, is rumored as the feature film's potential director; he's also set to direct "a prime-time television special based around staging and choreography that Jackson personally created" for the concerts, according to the Times.
Given the quality of the brief rehearsal clip that was released early this month (below), this sounds to me like a movie worth watching. One of the saddest things about Jackson's untimely passing is that it robbed us all of the chance to see what he had planned for those London dates — something that a well-done film edited down from that mountain of rehearsal footage might help address. But what do you think? Would you pay to see a movie based on Michael Jackson's last rehearsals, wait until it hit DVD, or skip it altogether? Tell us why in the comments section.
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Comments (1-15) of 127 Add your comment
I would definitely watch it. MJ shined when he was on stage. And I never was fortunate enough to see him live in concert.
i would pay to see it in the theater because i always wanted to see him in concert period and this would be the next best thing – sadly the only thing – i would ever get to that. i would also buy the dvd when it was released
I would definately watch it! Its the last memories that they have caputured of Michael Jackson!
the “movie” isn’t depicted as such as the Basher chronicle was, I would see it.
I would definitely pay money to see. I would eventually like to own a copy on DVD. It’s part of his legacy. It’s the closest thing we’ll ever have to a final concert.
ARJUN he was very handsome pop star
i would pay to see it… i was captivated by the brief clip we’ve gotten to see so far…
Will definitely watch it, the last memories of the greatest artist world has ever seen. Will own DVD too.
RIP MJ the king.
I’d pay even though I doubt Jackson would want his rehearsal footage released. He was a self-proclaimed perfectionist after all.
I would pay to see it!! No doubt. I Love Michael Jackson and I was sad that he didnt get to do his tour. I would get the DVD if it came out also.
I could not watch it as I think it would be too upsetting, how sad that AEG and everyone else is still cashing in on Michael even after his tragic death, he couldn’t move without being photographed during his life and now it seems in his passing it has not changed and as for Uri Geller releasing unseen footage of Michael I think he is sick, anything to make a buck or two Uri???
Absolutely I have bought 4 of his DVD’s and 4 cd’s since his death. I do not agree with Christine some of us LOVED HIM and would like to see ANY FOOTAGE of him.He will forever live on in many peoples memories and anything I can buy to keep it alive for me and even to be able to share with my grandkids I would love. I hope and KNOW Michael is no longer tormented by the vicious rumors he had to live with when he was alive . He was a GOOD man but TORMENTED IN MANY WAYS. The public did not help that I know he is now in a BETTER PLACE surrounded by angels!!!!
I LOVE MJ, and would honour his memory by watching the movie, 1st show 1st day. It would be very emotional to watch it though. Just seeing what could have been, how he could have showed the world and been alive to see his comeback and silence all his critics. MJ, we love you. MJ forever….
I would go a couple times to the theatre to watch it, and then buy the DVD so I can always keep it at my house. These shows would have been amazing, and I had tickets for them, so this is the next best thing!
Cashing in this way wouldn’t interest me at the cinema. A DVD release this year would be too macarbre. I think the best tribute has been the THRILLER stage show and a film or musical featuring his dances with an actor is the best way forward. Please let MJ the man rest in peace!!
And exactly who is pushing this? Joe Jackson? I wouldn’t put anything past that greedy M.f.er, or the rest of his greedy family.