The cruel irony of Michael Jackson’s death is reflected in the boxoffice.
The movie about Jackson’s rehearsals for shows that never took place, “This Is It,” hit $240 million worldwide this weekend. That gives Jackson the biggest concert film and documentary ever. Jackson’s kids will wind up very wealthy from this film thanks to his executors. Remember, Sony paid a $60 million advance. The footage from all those rehearsals has become a bonanza. And this column told you first that AEGLive had 100 hours of it. That was back on June 29th, four days after Michael was killed.
Of course, all Jackson ever wanted was to somehow get into the film business.
Back in 1991, he actually “stole” back the finished tapes for his “Invincible” album in June of that year. He held them for ransom until he got a part in Barry Sonnenfeld’s “Men in Black II.” In the end, he got his way. Sony got him the part, “Invincible” was finally released, and the following year Michael had a cameo in the movie.
Through the years, Jackson was easily taken in by anyone who promised him a film role. He was constantly accessible if an indie producer showed up with a hare-brained scheme to start a production company with Jackson’s money — or just his name, as his cash ran out.
Jackson has a weird role in a little-seen DVD release called “Miss Cast Away,” written and produced by Bryan Michael Stoller.
He also made a deal with Prince Abdulla of Bahrain to make movies, then reneged but kept the Prince’s $7 million advance.
By the way, if you want to see one of Jackson’ s major dance influences, check out this clip from YouTube that marries “Billie Jean” to Bob Fosse’s 1974 choreography/performance from Stanley Donen’s “The Little Prince.” Add a little James Brown, and voila! you have Michael Jackson.
As for “This Is It,” Sony would love to say the movie got to $250 million. That would mean leaving it in theaters through the end of the year. The DVD release is set for January 26th.
November 30th, 2009 at 7:15 am
I agree with you that Michael was killed (through negligence), but Jackson’s own bad judgment was the underlying cause. He wanted his “milk” (propofol).
He was also no saint. He used, and mis-used, people for his own purposes. He lied. Ultimately, he was human, I guess.
November 30th, 2009 at 7:43 am
I feel sorry for Michael’s children trapped with a family that only see them as cash cows.
November 30th, 2009 at 7:56 am
Perhaps you are thinking of the “Dangerous” album, which was released in 1991. You know, “Black & White” and those songs, in case you have forgotten. “Invincible” was released in 2001 with little promotion from Sony a decade later, and “HIStory Part 1″ & “Blood On The Dance Floor” were released in-between. As for that alleged 100 hours of rehearsal footage -is what went onscreen in “This Is It” the best that could be culled from those one hundred hours? Pretty sad if that’s the case.
November 30th, 2009 at 8:21 am
Had I known MJ wanted to be in movies, I’d have visited Neverland in 2005 when I was in Santa Barbara… I’m even a good writer. And he could have used some good news that spring. And an indie producer doesn’t care about what tabloids write. MJ couldn’t do any type of acting, but I’d put him in a comedy role in disguise, and he would have been hilarious. He had perfect timing in music, he would have used that.
As for his death, insomnia is pure torture. You want to jump out a window. His choice of doctor and medication for it were both awful, but the responsibility lies ultimately with the doctor.
November 30th, 2009 at 9:03 am
The only reason people are seeing it is to make sure he is dead and that children are finally safe.
November 30th, 2009 at 10:26 am
Simon – you have nothing better to do than hurt people?
November 30th, 2009 at 10:33 am
Regarding the story about Michael Jackson and “Miss Cast Away,” please read the following article, which I think much more interesting article than the one shown here.
http://www.billboard.com/news/the-michael-jackson-movie-you-never-saw-1003996017.story#/news/the-michael-jackson-movie-you-never-saw-1003996017.story
November 30th, 2009 at 10:53 am
Roger Friedham…(or whatever) is a Michael Jackson stan!!…Michael Loves you more Roger!
November 30th, 2009 at 11:00 am
No axon Simon is just showing his complete and utter ignorance as well as jealousy of Michael! Get educated dumbass!!!
November 30th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
Good catch-Mr. Friedman, the so-called Michael Jackson expert, keeps getting Jackson’s albums wrong! If you’re the one who “broke to news” about there being 100 hours of footage, why don’t you remind people how you also broke the news that the DVD couldn’t possibly come out until February? Oh, that’s right… because it’s coming out in JANUARY!
November 30th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Michael’s dance influences actually go further back than that to the famed black dancers, the Nicholas Brothers and Bill “Bojangles” Robinson. Unfortunately they were never able to get the recognition they deserved while they were alive because of Jim Crow. Michael was able to incorporate the works of these legends and also give a nod to Harlem street dancers as well.
November 30th, 2009 at 12:24 pm
This is also another great video on youtube that celebrates the rich history that Michael is now a part of
The origins of the moonwalk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxZcLWAmdco
November 30th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
[...] http://showbiz411.blogs.thr.com/michael-jackson-this-is-it-hits-240-mil-worldwide/ [...]
November 30th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
Simon…..Believe me that is not the reason people are seeing “This Is It”. I am so sorry that Michael is dead. There is and never will be another performer who could come close to Michael Jackson. Maybe Michael had more to fear from these children and their money hunger parents.
November 30th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
So Simon, children are finally safe now that MJ is gone. Tell that to the Mother of the 7 year old who’s body was found in a dumpster, the killer has not been found. Tell that to the family of a 5 year old who was rape and killed. Your comment is just another ignorent comment. So according to Simon, put the word out, all children are safe now.
November 30th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
Simon you are so ignorant!
November 30th, 2009 at 10:41 pm
Sony paid $60m to AEG, not Michael or his children. And it’s not an “advance”. Get your facts straight, Roger!
December 1st, 2009 at 4:08 am
I know this is an M.J. post but I have to divert the conversation to a bone that I have with the industry esp. Sony.
Hmmm Bob Foisse again Okay … “Single Ladies – Beyonce” … so I guess Mr. Matthew Knowles and his daughter Beyonce – can’t stop using the same formula trying to make her into a Superstar like Michael Jackson … the funny thing is that it is way too visible and in your face to the darn public. And way too gimmicky and not very geniune. I guess Mariah Carey wasn’t gonna have that puppetry fiasco so now they have Beyonce on that train – only problem is there are many who are not buying it and it makes me – a die hard M.J. fan feel insulted esp. since she is a talented artist. I wish that girl the best of success but she will never be Michael Jackson no matter how hard she and her parents try to push it in our faces.
When people call a spade, a spade there is an outcry that say NO I’m not – I am just a genuine person working towards success – God where did the real artists go – hmmm oh well nowhere they are still here but not pushed very far by the industry. Some people are as fake as they come and when others point it out they cry wolf.
I’m glad for M.J. and his family but as usual Roger some of your facts are blurring as pointed out by other readers.
December 1st, 2009 at 6:20 am
People ignore that Simon person. The fact that he took moments of his life to comment on a column about Michael Jackson when he could have used his energy going out in his community and I’m sure helping to find a missing child speaks volumes about his desperate attempt to get noticed. Probably one of those hideously disfigured geeks that nobody loves and the only way to get someone to notice him is to purposely post an inciting comment for any reaction.
December 1st, 2009 at 6:52 am
Beyonce is very talented, but there is no soul in what she does (at least not to me). That’s the big difference between her and MJ. Even with his most robotic dance he reached my heart. As for B, I don’t really get why she’s prancing around. Is it about hate, love, what? I can’t tell.
December 1st, 2009 at 3:46 pm
A few words for John…..yes I wished Michael had found some other way to solve his insonmia. And he does bare some responsibility for what happen. But that so call doctor, Dr. Conrad Murray is responsible for killing Michael Jackson. When money clouds your judgement, you tends to make bad decisions. And Murray bad decisions caused Michael Jackson his life. Yes Michael ask, demanded that propofol, according to Murray. But did Murray have to give it to him? Specially after doping him up with all those medications. Murray could have said no and walked away. What was Micheal going to do? Jump on that six foot five man and make him give him the propofol. We must never forget that a doctor motto is: First Do No Harm. I have never said that Michael was a saint. I always wanted to remind people that Michael jackson was a human being, with flaws like us all. But I never believe he was the monster that the media and other people tried to make him out to be. Maybe he learned to used, from seeing all the people who used him over the years.
December 1st, 2009 at 3:56 pm
No saint, just a human being who was a great entertainer. He a human being, not perfect. But his fans will never forget him. Oh by the way, “This Is It” making over $240 million dollars worldwide. That’s great. I will be getting the DVD.
December 1st, 2009 at 4:58 pm
@earthfree: What is your DEAL with MJ’s entire family? Do you think they’ll get their cooties on MJ’s precious spawn? As I’ve mentioned before, the entire second generation of the Jacksons, TO A ONE, is doing just fine. Riddle me this, where would YOU prefer the siblings be? In an orphanage? Debbie isn’t fighting for her two, the surrogate has neither knowledge nor rights, so where would/should they go?
Stop being so spiteful. Grandpapa Joe will be handled by his family. Jermaine will ALWAYS be Jermaine. That’s them. That’s Michael’s family and he “in sound mind and body” left his kids to them.
I’d hate for someone to be all up in your family tree like this. I’m pretty sure we’d find a couple of nuts up there too.
December 1st, 2009 at 9:07 pm
Thank you whilome. Well said…people need to stop attacking MJ’s family and trying to separate his kids from them.
December 3rd, 2009 at 6:14 pm
Why would Barbara Walters choose Michael’s kids ( Prince, Paris, and Blanket)as one of her most fascinating people of 2009? I think she should leave those kids alone. They are not famous, they are little kids. And I feel that if someone had did this to her daughter when she was young, Barbara would have had a fit. I just don’t like it. Back off of those kids, let them try to have a normal life. Michael kept these kids protected so much. I believe that some people were shock to see these kids when they came out. They couldn’t believe that they were everyday kids, and not some freaks. Maybe that’s what fascinated Ms. Walters. But I still strongly feel these kids should be lefted alone.