Breaking New Records

The below is a press release from Sony regarding ‘This Is It’ making history as the highest grossing film worldwide.

“MICHAEL JACKSON’S THIS IS IT” MAKES MOTION PICTURE HISTORY AS THE HIGHEST-GROSSING CONCERT FILM OF ALL TIME WORLDWIDE

BEHIND-THE-SCENES LOOK AT LEGENDARY KING OF POP TAKES $101 MILLION IN FIVE DAYS, BREAKING ALL TIME RECORD FOR THE GENRE

LONDON, November 2, 2009 – Sony Pictures Releasing UK is delighted to announce that since its release on Wednesday, October 28, Michael Jackson’s THIS IS IT has stormed straight to the top of the UK box office taking an incredible £4.9 million.

With the UK figure contributing to a worldwide total of $101 million and counting, it makes motion picture history as the highest-grossing concert film of all time. Michael Jackson’s THIS IS IT is directed by Kenny Ortega.

In response to the tremendous interest and desire to see the film around the world, the studio has also announced that it is extending its limited engagement. In the UK, the film will be extended through November and in the United States, the film will play through Thanksgiving weekend.

Michael Jackson’s THIS IS IT is the 5th biggest international opening of 2009. In addition to the UK, top grossing territories include: Japan $10.4 m (3rd biggest opening of the year in Japan), Germany $6.3 m, France $5.8 m, Australia $3.6 m, China $3.2 m, Italy $2.9 m, and Spain $2.6 m, among others.

Michael Jackson’s THIS IS IT opened to #1 in North America with $21.3 million for the 3-day weekend, averaging an estimated $6,119 per screen.

The opening weekend audience was almost evenly split between 49 % males and 51% females with 62% of the audience over the age of 25.

The film received an “A” CinemaScore and is one of the best reviewed films of the year with an 80% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Commenting on the announcement, Jeff Blake, Chairman, Sony Pictures Entertainment Worldwide Marketing & Distribution said, “This film is a unique celebration of Michael Jackson and his extraordinary music. Kenny Ortega delivered a masterful tribute that shows the pure genius that Michael poured into his creative process and made him one of the best performers that ever graced a stage. In just 5 days, Michael Jackson’s THIS IS IT has become the highest grossing concert film of all time and we are elated by the response to this special film by fans, critics and moviegoers from all over the world. With this kind of global response, it’s clear that the motion picture deserves an extended run and we are going to do everything we can to make the film available to everyone who wants to see Michael Jackson’s THIS IS IT on the big screen.”

By a large margin, the film’s 5-day box office gross has already surpassed the cost the studio incurred to acquire the footage.

Michael Jackson’s THIS IS IT offers Michael 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 past summer in London’s O2 Arena. Covering the months from March through June, 2009, the film is produced with the full support of the Estate of Michael Jackson and drawn from more than 100 hours of behind-the-scenes footage, featuring Jackson rehearsing numerous songs for the show. Audiences will be given a privileged and private look at Jackson as he has never been seen before. In raw and candid detail, Michael Jackson’s THIS IS IT is the last documentation of Michael Jackson in action, capturing the singer, dancer, filmmaker, architect, creative genius, and great artist at work as he and his collaborators move toward their goals of London, the O2, and history. Kenny Ortega, who was both Michael Jackson’s creative partner and the director of the stage show, also directed the film, which was being produced by Randy Phillips, Kenny Ortega and Paul Gongaware. Executive producers are John Branca and John McClain.

About Sony Pictures Entertainment
Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America (SCA), a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE’s global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; digital content creation and distribution; worldwide channel investments; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of filmed entertainment in more than 130 countries. Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at www.sonypictures.com.

About Sony Music Entertainment
Sony Music Entertainment is a global recorded music company with a roster of current artists that includes a broad array of both local artists and international superstars. The company boasts a vast catalog that comprises some of the most important recordings in history. It is home to premier record labels representing music from every genre, including American Recordings, Arista Nashville, Arista Records, Aware, Battery Records, Beach Street Records, Black Seal, BNA Records, Cinematic, Columbia Nashville, Columbia Records, Epic Records, Essential Records, Flicker Records, Fo-Yo Soul, GospoCentric, Hitz Committee Entertainment, J Records, Jive Records, LaFace Records, Legacy Recordings, Masterworks, Polo Grounds, RCA Records, RCA Nashville, RCA Red Seal, RCA Victor, Reunion Records, Slightly Dangerous, Sony Classical, Sony Music Latin, Star Time International, Verity Records, and Volcano Entertainment. Sony Music Entertainment is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America. For more information, visit www.sonymusic.com.

Source: Sony Pictures & MJWN