Michael Jackson | ‘This Is It’ – Special Two-Week Limited Engagement (Film Opens Oct. 28th, 2009)

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 Michael’s gift to his 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 www.michaeljackson.com.

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 / Miley
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.