Phil Anschutz's profits on Michael Jackson's This Is It film: Ka-ching!

Denver mega-buckser Phil Anschutz has reportedly recouped his entire investment in the late Michael Jackson's aborted "This Is It" tour (after seeming on the verge of multi-million-dollar losses) thanks to the sale of rehearsal footage that makes up the just-released This Is It film. Now all that's left is to...

By Michael Roberts

October 30, 2009

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Denver mega-buckser Phil Anschutz has reportedly recouped his entire investment in the late Michael Jackson's aborted "This Is It" tour (after seeming on the verge of multi-million-dollar losses) thanks to the sale of rehearsal footage that makes up the just-released This Is It film. Now all that's left is to watch the moolah roll in -- a process that's already started. The flick racked up $7.4 million in the U.S. on Wednesday, when it opened at theaters nationwide. Granted, that's not a record for a concert film (which this is, sorta): Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: The Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour earned $8.6 million on its first day. However, This Is It's prospects are much better globally, where those nasty sleeping-with-young-boys accusations did little to dent Jackson's marketability -- and indeed, the film earned $12.7 million on Wednesday beyond America.

Right now, the movie is only slated to remain in theaters for two weeks -- but a proposed pre-Christmas DVD release has already been pushed back to early 2010, suggesting that its run could be extended if the Michael maniacs keep coming. Anschutz wouldn't object to that, since he's slated to receive 10 percent of the profits. And the rich get richer.

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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