This Is It makes $20.1M US in 1st-day screenings

The Michael Jackson concert film This Is It got off to a strong start, earning $20.1 million US worldwide on its first day in theatres, Columbia Pictures has announced.

The Kenny Ortega-directed film made $7.4 million US in North America and $12.7 million US in international territories, the studio announced on Thursday.

The eagerly anticipated movie created from more than 100 hours of footage showing the late Jackson rehearsing for his London concert series premiered in simultaneous midnight screenings in cities around theworld on Wednesday before opening more widely.

Cinemas in additional territories will open the film this weekend.

The strong opening "represents an amazing beginning for the film and a reaffirmation of the global appeal of Michael Jackson," according to Steve Elzer, a spokesman for Columbia Pictures, a unit of Sony Pictures Entertainment Group.

Still, This Is It's opening pales in comparison to two other record-setting Wednesday movie debuts from earlier this summer.

In June, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen racked up $62 million US on its first day at the North American box office. In July, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince made $104 million USworldwide on its opening day.

Consummate performer

Many early viewers have praised This Is It for giving a sleek, final glimpse at Jackson still a consummate performer and whose sudden death on June 25 prevented what looked to be a dramatic, extravagent comeback series in London, England.

Critics have also praised Jackson's performances in the film, though many point out that This Is It reveals little about the man himself.

Legal drama also continues to dog the iconic entertainer's estate, with a former manager as well as the producer and director of Jackson's landmark Thriller video filing creditor claims on Thursday.

Former Jackson manager Leonard Rowe claims he is owed more than $300,000 US, while Thriller producer George Folsey Jr. and director John Landis claim theyare owed more than $1 million US each. Landis first launched a lawsuit against Jackson in January.