Since premiering on October 28th, the Michael Jackson This Is It Film has grossed $101 million over five days including over the busy Halloween weekend. Domestically it took in $32.5 million while international sales were $68.5 million. ”This Is It” already looks to make history as the highest grossing concert film and is mainly due to the extent of Michael Jackson’s popularity around the world.  Because of the huge success of the film, it is now extended an extra two weeks in North America, where in the US will be in theaters until  Thanksgiving. Other parts of the world will extend from 1 to 3 weeks depending on each location.

Since the well-reviewed This Is It film held on over the Halloween weekend without any significant decline between Friday and Saturday, Sony decided to extend the run believing it would fade slowly. Another reason is Sony could not come to an agreement with theater owners for releasing a DVD of the movie before Christmas.

“This Is It” is expected to gross over $200 million in theaters worldwide, plus sales from the DVD release, which should be profitable for Sony and generate considerable  returns both to the Jackson estate and AEG Live. The DVD of the movie will be released in January or February.

In a press release from Sony Music Entertainment, a new Michael Jackson song “This Is It” will be released as a single on October 12. The song shares the same title of his This Is It concert comeback tour that Michael Jackson was rehearsing before his death.

Two versions of the This Is It song, which will include backup vocals by Michael Jackson’s brothers, will be featured on a new “This Is It” two-disc cd set. The album will include previously released songs as well as unreleased versions of those same hit songs, plus a never heard before touching spoken-word poem recited by Michael Jackson called “Planet Earth”. The cd set will debut internationally on October 26 and in the US on October 27.

Michael Jackson This Is It Film will be released simultaneously in movie theaters in more than 15 cities around the world, including Los Angeles, New York, London, Berlin, Rio de Janeiro and Seoul.

The movie is compiled from 100 hours of rehearsal footage taken prior to Michael  Jackson’s sudden death June 25,  for the 50 shows that were to take place in London.

Hollywood movie premieres taking place around the world are rarely ever at the same time as will be in this case with Michael Jackson’s documentary film. The premiere in Los Angeles will be in the evening of October 27 which local time would be after midnight in London October 28.

Jeff Blake, worldwide marketing and distribution chairman for Sony Pictures stated, “Michael Jackson has an army of fans everywhere around the world. We are giving the audiences an incredible opportunity to join together in celebration of Michael Jackson’s incredible career.”

Sony Pictures and Sony Music, in a news release, stated that the Michael Jackson “This Is It” documentary will be released two days earlier than previously stated and will have a limited two-week run. The film will open in movie theaters on October 28 and tickets go on sale Sept. 27 in most areas.

The documentary draws from more than 100 hours of  behind the scenes and rehearsal footage, taken between April and June, as Michael Jackson prepared for his concerts in London. Kenny Ortega,  the choreographer and director who was working with Michael Jackson on the planned “This Is It” concert tour, will be directing the movie.