“Michael Jackson’s This Is It’’ has pulled in $101 million worldwide in its first five days, and distributor Sony is extending the farewell performance film beyond its planned two-week run (read the Globe's movie review). The film was No. 1 with a $21.3 million opening weekend, according to studio estimates yesterday, raising its domestic total to $32.5 million. The movie has pulled in $68.5 million overseas. “He’s just loved everywhere on the planet,’’ said Rory Bruer, head of distribution for Sony. “It doesn’t matter if it’s Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe, South America. Every continent in the world loved him and his music.’’ The studio has extended it a few more weeks domestically, leaving it in theaters through Thanksgiving weekend, one of the year’s busiest moviegoing times. The studio paid $60 million for film rights to Jackson’s rehearsal footage, an investment the movie recouped in days. “They bet $60 million on this and got $101 million in just five days,’’ said Paul Dergarabedian, box-office analyst for Hollywood.com. “It was a gamble and a bet that paid off.’’ The previous weekend’s No. 1 movie, Paramount’s low-budget horror sensation “Paranormal Activity,’’ slipped to No. 2 with $16.5 million, lifting its total to $84.8 million. While “Paranormal’’ led Halloween’s scary movies, an established horror franchise lost its fear factor as Lionsgate’s “Saw VI’’ fell sharply in its second weekend after an anemic debut. “Saw VI’’ came in at No. 5 this weekend with $5.6 million, raising its total to just $22.8 million after 10 days. (AP)
Polanski bail offer
A French lawyer for director
Roman Polanski, imprisoned in Switzerland, says a new bail offer will be filed today and it will be a “very, very significant’’ cash amount. Swiss authorities rejected an offer Friday, considering the 76-year-old filmmaker awaiting a decision on extradition to the United States a high flight risk. They noted it was not a cash offer.
Herve Temime told France-Info radio yesterday the latest offer is in cash. He wouldn’t say how much. He said Polanski would accept the extradition decision “whatever it is’’ and assured his client would never behave “like a fugitive.’’ Polanski, arrested Sept. 26, is wanted in the United States for having sex with a 13-year-old girl in Los Angeles in 1977. Polanski fled the US before sentencing. (AP)
© Copyright 2009 Globe Newspaper Company.
