Jackson film to get 25 plus premieres

CULVER CITY, Calif., Sept. 21 (UPI) -- Sony Pictures Entertainment Monday said it is planning more than 25 global premieres of its upcoming documentary, "Michael Jackson's This Is It."

At least 15 of the celebrations are to be coordinated simultaneously Oct. 27, the studio said.

The documentary chronicles the weeks Jackson spent rehearsing for a series of come-back concerts that were scheduled to have begun at the O2 arena in London in July. He died June 25 at the age of 50. His death is considered a homicide and is still under investigation.

The film is expected to play in theaters worldwide for a limited two-week engagement, beginning Oct. 28.

Tickets for all shows, including the Tuesday night special advance screenings, will be available for purchase beginning Sunday.

"Michael Jackson has an army of fans everywhere around the world. By rolling out this film with simultaneous premieres and special advance screenings on Oct. 27, we are giving audiences an incredible opportunity to join together in celebration of Michael Jackson's incredible career," Jeff Blake, chairman of worldwide marketing and distribution for Sony Pictures, said in a statement.

The film's world gala will be in Los Angeles at the Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE Oct. 27. That event, which begins at 6 p.m. PDT, kicks off a series of more than 25 premieres around the globe.

More than 15 cities, including New York, Rio De Janeiro, London, Berlin, Johannesburg, and Seoul will present events simultaneously, with red carpet arrivals and activities from the Los Angeles event broadcast by satellite to those cities.

Moscow, Tokyo, Sydney, Paris and many others will host their own, non-simultaneous premiere activities.