December 01, 2009

'Michael Jackson's This Is It' DVD To Hit Shelves On January 26

By Gil Kaufman (MTV.com)

First, Michael Jackson fans couldn't wait for the Michael Jackson's This Is It documentary to begin its limited run in theaters around the globe. Then, even before it hit thousands of screens, they began clamoring for a DVD release date of the final artistic statement from the self-proclaimed King of Pop.

That wish was granted over the Thanksgiving weekend, when Sony Pictures announced that This Is It will be released on DVD and Blu-Ray on January 26. According to Home Media Magazine, the DVD version will include an hour of extra footage in the form of featurettes on the making of the film, costumes, dancer auditions and the performers' memories of Jackson. The Blu-Ray will contain that footage, plus an additional half hour that includes alternate versions of videos of "Smooth Criminal" and "Thriller."

This Is It was originally scheduled for a two-week limited run in theaters, with hopes of a DVD version in stores by Christmas. But due to the popularity of the movie and complaints from theater owners that the Christmas release window was too soon, the run was extended by a month and the DVD release was pushed back, according to the Los Angeles Times. The film has taken in more than $70 million at the U.S. box office since opening on October 28.

In other This Is It news, the film did not make it onto the short list of 15 films eligible for Best Documentary Oscar nominations, because it was not released before the September 30 deadline for that category. But it is reportedly still a potential contender in other categories, including Best Picture.