娱乐英语新闻:Advance tickets for late pop star Michael Jackson's rehearsal film selling rapidly

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- Michael Jackson's fans around the world were struggling to grab advance tickets for the late popstar's rehearsal-footage film "This Is It," Sony Pictures Entertainment said on Monday.

    According to Sony, more than 30,000 tickets for the film were sold in 24 hours in London, easily outpacing advance sales for films including the "Harry Potter" series and "The Lord of the Rings."

U.S. singer Michael Jackson rehearses for his comeback tour "This Is It" in this undated handout photo released in London Aug. 26, 2009

In Japan, more than one million dollars in ticket sales were recorded within the first 24 hours.

    Jackson fans in downtown Los Angeles began lining up for those tickets Thursday and took just two hours on Sunday to snap up 3,000 tickets for advance screenings of the movie, said Sony.

    Sony also reported rapid sell-outs in France, where thousands of fans lined up at The Grand Rex in Paris for a shot at tickets. Record-setting sales also were recorded in Germany, Holland, Sweden, Belgium and New Zealand.

    The film opens Oct. 28, but some markets will have advance screenings beginning the night of Oct. 27.

    "Michael Jackson's fans all over the globe have enormous interest in this film and we can assure they will not be disappointed," said Rory Bruer, president of worldwide theatrical distribution for Sony Picture Releasing.

Pop star Michael Jackson waves to supporters as he leaves the Santa Barbara County Courthouse after he was found not guilty in Santa Maria, California in this June 13, 2005 file photo.

"This film delivers on everything they hope and expect to see. I think the initial sales activity we are seeing in the United States and United Kingdom to countries such as Australia and Thailand underscores the unique nature of this film, which is a special celebration of Michael and his music."

    The film is expected to be in theaters for only two weeks. The film was compiled from more than 100 hours of rehearsal footage taken between April and June at Staples Center and the Forum in Inglewood, where the King of Pop was preparing for a series of 50 sold-out London concerts.

    The movie will also include a retrospective of his career and interviews with friends and collaborators.

    Proceeds from the film will benefit the Michael Jackson Family Trust.

    Jackson died June 25 from an overdose of a prescription sedative.