LONDON September 22, 2009 – Fans worldwide will have the opportunity to celebrate the global launch of Michael Jackson’s THIS IS IT when Sony Pictures Entertainment hosts over 25 global premieres, with more than 15 of those coordinated simultaneously around the world, on Tuesday October 27.

Simultaneous with the LA Premiere at 6.00pm Tuesday October 27, the London Premiere will take place at 1am Wednesday October 28 at the Odeon Cinema Leicester Square.

Following the London Premiere event, UK audiences will be able to see the highly anticipated film for the first time when the film opens to the public from 4.00am on Wednesday October 28.

Michael Jackson’s THIS IS IT will be in cinemas worldwide for a limited two-week run beginning Wednesday October 28.

Tickets will go on sale worldwide to the general public this coming Sunday September 27. UK audiences will be able to book tickets at cinemas nationwide from 12.01am.

“Michael Jackson has an army of fans everywhere around the world. By rolling out this film simultaneously worldwide, we are giving audiences an incredible opportunity to join together in celebration of Michael Jackson’s incredible career,” said Jeff Blake, Chairman, Worldwide Marketing and Distribution for Sony Pictures.

The film’s world gala will be in Los Angeles at the Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE on Tuesday, October 27. That event, which begins at 6.00pm PDT, kicks off a series of more than 25 premieres around the globe. More than 15 cities, including London, New York, Rio De Janeiro, Berlin, Johannesburg, and Seoul will host events simultaneously, with red carpet arrivals and activities from the Los Angeles event broadcast by satellite to those cities. Other cities, including Moscow, Tokyo, Sydney, Paris, and many others will host their own, non-simultaneous premiere activities.

After the worldwide celebration of the motion picture, the first public screenings of the film will begin. For example, the first audiences in Los Angeles will see the film at 9.00pm; in New York, audiences will have the opportunity to see the film at midnight; and in London, cinemas open at 4.00am UK time.

Michael Jackson’s THIS IS IT will offer 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 summer in London’s O2 Arena. Chronicling 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 one hundred hours of behind-the-scenes footage, featuring Jackson rehearsing a number of his 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 captures the singer, dancer, filmmaker, architect, creative genius, and great artist at work as he creates and perfects his final show. Kenny Ortega, who was both Michael Jackson's creative partner and the director of the stage show, is also directing the film, which is being produced by Randy Phillips, Kenny Ortega and Paul Gongaware. Executive producers are John Branca and John McClain. The film will be distributed worldwide by Sony Pictures Releasing. For more information about the film please visit www.thisisit-movie.com.