Life After Death: "This Is It" Opens October 28

Now that MJ has finally been laid to rest -- physically, at least -- there's just enough time to put finishing touches on his comeback. Set to storm theaters worldwide on Wednesday, October 28, "This is It:"
Sony forked over a reported $60 million to distribute a theatrical version (in 3D, obviously) of Jackson's ultimate comeback performance, which would have launched July 13 in London after years of preparation but was infamously derailed by the June 26 death of its star and mastermind. The summer stint at London's O2 Arena, which had already sold out 50 concerts, would have been the first in a long line of globetrotting performance stops for Jackson's ambitious, three-year "This Is It" tour.

The concert's director Kenny Ortega, who reigned supreme over Disney's cash cow "High School Musical" franchise, is finishing out his vested commitment to bring Jackson's visionary comeback to audiences worldwide by translating "This is It" from stage to screen. Ortega's pivotal participation in the movie, given the years of investment he'd already put into Jackson's "This Is It" tour, effectively snuffs out the reasonable fear of a quickie commercial exploitation.

Expect legions of crying devotees to line up worldwide, with a box office ceiling that's hard to predict given the unique nature of the project. There's really no precedent for the media circus and public frenzy that ensued during the aftermath of Jackson's death, so "This Is It" is one to watch.