August 21, 2009 - Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sony Music Entertainment have announced that documentary film, Michael Jackson THIS IS IT will be released exclusively for a special, limited, two-week engagement worldwide.

Sony also has changed the film release to Oct. 28 from the originally announced release date of Oct. 30. Tickets for the two-week presentation will go on sale on Sept. 27th

"This film is Michael's gift to his fans,” Kenny Ortega, who worked on the THIS IS It concerts and will direct the film said in a press statement.

"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," 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 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,” Ortega said.

“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, Ortega said.

Sony says that the film will offer 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 in London's O2 Arena.

Jackson died in Los Angeles less than three weeks before the 50-run concert was set to begin in July.

The film covers April through June 2009 and is drawn from more than one hundred hours of behind-the-scenes footage, featuring Jackson rehearsing a number of his songs for the show.

Sony paid $60 million for the rights to use the footage to make a film, and it is being produced with the cooperation of the Jackson estate and concert promoter AEG Live.

"I have never been partners with a more creative, innovative or groundbreaking entertainer than Michael Jackson," Randy Phillips, president and chief executive of, AEG LIVE and producer of Michael Jackson THIS IS IT said in a press statement

"While the concerts would have been the greatest shows in the history of music, our film will provide an 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'."