Los Angeles, Oct 30 (DPA) “This Is It”, the documentary movie that followed Michael Jackson’s concert rehearsals in the days before his shock death in June, earned $20.1 million at the US box office on its first full day of release, according to The Hollywood Reporter Thursday.
The film earned a $12.7 million internationally and another $7.4 million in the US, the report said.
The enthusiastic reception could prompt Sony Pictures to extend the movie’s two week screening window, as positive reviews and word-of-mouth approval send more fans to see the 90-minute documentary culled from some 100 hours of rehearsal footage.
The box office haul was released in conjunction with a report from Forbes magazine that identified Jackson as one of the year’s top earning dead celebrities. He earned $90 million in the year, including $72 million since his death.
Jackson was beaten by fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent, who earned $350 million, and songwriting duo Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein who earned $235 million. But he came ahead of last year’s No. 1, Elvis Presley, with $55 million; “The Lord of the Rings” author J.R.R. Tolkien with $50 million; and John Lennon with $9 million.
Jackson’s father Joe Jackson announced Wednesday night that a tribute museum to the star would be built in his hometown of Gary, Indiana. The Jackson patriarch, who has been accused of numerous attempts to cash in on his son’s talent, announced plans for the museum, hotel and performing arts centre together with Gary mayor Rudy Clay in Los Angeles. However there were no details on how the projects will be funded and it is unclear whether Jackson’s estate will back the effort.