
Promo posters for the movie, released this week, boast Jacko "like you've never seen him before".
But his father Joe and sister La Toya accuse Sony Pictures of "fooling" fans by using Michael Jackson impersonators.
Meanwhile a British lookalike revealed he was asked by film bosses to stand in for the star before his death.
Jacko's dad Joe, who has seen 12 minutes of This Is It, said: "This movie features body doubles, no doubt about it. I think people will tear this movie apart."
And La Toya's business partner Jeffre Phillips told us: "I see all these great movements in the trailers but I don't believe most of those shots were Michael. He wasn't well enough. I've seen clips where I even thought, 'That's not Michael's voice.'" It's very upsetting for La Toya."
US concert promoter Terry Harvey said: "From what I can see, Michael wasn't even singing live in a full segment. He was struggling. I was told he had his vocals sequenced on stage so if he didn't want to sing live, they just switched on the tape.
Essex Jacko impersonator Navi Parasram, 36, turned down an invite to appear in the film. He said: "They asked me to do long shots, visuals, placements." Sony declined to comment.
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This article has 36 comments
Me and my husband so the movie "THIS IS IT".I dont think MJ doubled in hir.I cant stop crying after saw the film.we love you MJ..
By kei umemura. Posted November 5 2009 at 10:58 AM.
I have just come from seeing THIS IS IT for the 4th time and I swear, even if the whole movie just showed his feet in their black shoes and white sequinned socks I would still have no trouble recognising MICHAEL!
Why you wanna trip on him?
By raffe. Posted November 3 2009 at 4:03 PM.
It is all Michael, and he is still the best!
By Laura. Posted November 3 2009 at 4:23 AM.
I have to say after seeing the film...This is it. I do believe there were body doubles used in various segments of the movie(documentary). Being one of Michael's many fans...If not his number one - for many years... I was delighted by some of what I saw...But disappointed as well. In my opinion they did not do Michael justice at all...In closing all I can say is this...The truth will come out soon...peace
By Michael. Posted November 2 2009 at 9:08 AM.
I love u michael to bits, dont care what any idiot says about u. U are the real MJ in the movie. Thats a fact! RIP
By sue. Posted November 1 2009 at 9:43 PM.
I've seen the film. I doubt that there were body-doubles or Stand Ins. I think that the editors and producers just used the best of the 10 hours of footage, to present Michael in his best light. Who knows what's on the other 8 hours. I must say, for someone who was supposidly pumped full of pain killers and shaking off the daily affects of IV surgical strength sleeping aids, he really comes across very energetic, in great voice and cognisant.
By John. Posted November 1 2009 at 7:15 PM.
To Joe and Latoya
No wonder Michael needed sedatives.......To drown out your stupid comments!!!
Please stay away from the two princes and young Paris!!
By raffe. Posted October 30 2009 at 7:40 AM.
I have seen the movie twice already. Aside from the scene from Smooth Criminal where MJ is supposely going through the window, there are no doubles in this movie.
Joe and Latoya should be ashamed or themselves. I didn't like that Michael was so skinny but his soul and gentle spirit were still strong. I thought the movie was great!!!
I am sadden that MJ is gone, but I am beginning to wonder with all the surfaced leaches, traitors and the constant scruntiny from the media, how he survived this long?????........
RIP Michael your soul deserves a break!
r
By Queene. Posted October 30 2009 at 12:30 AM.
THAT WAS MJ!!!
believe or not mj and i were friends... i know him well. it was him in every scene on the stage. you can't fake him. the clips were from different time periods not as they say a week before! on some clips he is skinny, thats is the last shots. he was in bad shape, but it was him.
about mj family... he did not trust them, even his own mother. shame on the whole family for not making mj last wishes...come true... the place of burial and his children. Madness!
By nafra. Posted October 29 2009 at 5:09 PM.
I saw the film today and I am sure it was Michael and not a double. As for the scene with the stairs and him coming through the glass, well I will watch it more carefully next time ( I had already decided to see the film twice). When they rehearse the number about the Jacksons (meaning him and his brothers) I thought the brothers should have been there with him, but hey they never worked so well together after all and that was a sad point in Michael's life but also something that played a part in shaping his solo career
By enza palumbo. Posted October 28 2009 at 6:33 PM.
THIS IS IT was GREAT. I saw it during the first showing that was being sold last month when tickets came out online at midnight. So tonight at 9pm I went. The only double I believe whole-heartedly that there probably could be is the sliding down the stairs stuff. Other than that, nothing is fake, it's him...far away and very up close as well, his voice directly corresponding to his movements. You can't fake the real Michael Jackson, when you see him dancing you just know it's him, you really honestly cannot fake that smooth dancing. None of the dancers ever looked as loose and calm and perfect as he did w/ his moves. It's wonderful, and no one should be worried about the crazy families allegations when they haven't even seen the damn thing! They'll retract those comments when they see him dancing, it's him.
By Amerae. Posted October 28 2009 at 9:25 AM.
People aren't who you think they are and things aren't always as they seem. Misinformation to cause misdirection for an illusion. In the end, it is entertainment. MJ has very distinct earlobes, watch 'Thriller' then look at the 'This Is It' then you'll know if it really is him. ;>)
By karen. Posted October 27 2009 at 6:41 PM.
the things i`ve allready seen from this picture llok real to me.it is michael.i was no fan of him but trough the years i`ve followed him.he was such a nice person i think.and i`m really glad that he passed away.no one can hurt this man anymore.all he wanted was peace for everyone.what kind of live did he have??everyone was using hinm.for his children it is bad,they were the only ones who loved michael for who he was.and now he finally found peace.i`m happy for michael.no more pain.no more calling him names.dear mister jackson,i hope to see you in heaven.
By sonja. Posted October 27 2009 at 11:16 AM.
I think that's Miachael,our fans can feel Michael's heart, and the feeling will tell us the truth!
By RAIN. Posted October 26 2009 at 8:01 AM.
I think joe should be ashamed of himself, 3,000 dollars to meet him, you have to pay me 3,000 dollars, SHAME SHAME ON YOU JOE, some father you are.
By susan bowler. Posted October 26 2009 at 6:05 AM.
To the Jackson Family:
I just read on another sight that Jackie thought the movie was "riveting" and MJ's message of love of the earth and our children was delivered. On the other hand, Joe and Latoya have spoken out against it and Katherine (understandably) is not yet ready to see it. There's still no word on if the children will be allowed to see it even though they want to......
Please decide amongst yourselves what your position is for the public and for the children. Joe and Latoya "no comments" might work for starters!!!
I really don't think you are doing Michael's legacy justice by making the family in fighting public.
By Queen. Posted October 25 2009 at 8:41 PM.
Going down the staircase hand rail and crashing through a window=stunt double, not really shocking, wouldn't expect MJ to do that himself.
By Kay. Posted October 25 2009 at 6:24 PM.
I think everyone should wait until they have seen the whole movie before they pass judgement, and that goes for Joe and LaToya too. Lest we forget that these are just REHEARSALS....and it is quite commonplace for artists to use body doubles if they are not present at some of the rehearsals, and also the artists themselves sometimes like to sit on the audience side to see what everything looks like before their concerts start.
By Abigail Navarre. Posted October 25 2009 at 5:42 PM.
I love MJ
By k hare. Posted October 25 2009 at 3:33 PM.
Latoya and Joe Jackson might have been expecting Michael to look sickly and not up to the task, I guess, but he wasn't sickly, maybe a bit skinny. Those two need to shut up and think if what they're saying is true or not before they open their mouths.
By liz medina. Posted October 25 2009 at 3:22 PM.
you are all very naive people. All is not what it seems.
By mj. Posted October 25 2009 at 2:55 PM.
I don't trust Sony! No one I know does. These rumors could have started with them asking Navi, a well known MJ impersonator to stand in for the movie. It could be just that simple.
I hope to God, there are no look alikes in this movie, if they were that stupid, they might as well be wearing a sign that reads:" We are involved".
By MJfanluv. Posted October 25 2009 at 2:54 PM.
Did't LaToya just claim that she was NOT going to see This Is It! because it was too soon. Then how does she know what is in it if she did not see it?
By mj. Posted October 25 2009 at 2:26 PM.
why are fans turning on the Jacksons? Michael wouldn't like it. At the end of the day the film should be about michael and if they are using body doubles to hide his illness and to make a quick buck then it is shameful.
By Jan. Posted October 25 2009 at 12:20 PM.
Agreed with Natalie. I should like the Jackson family but I find ALL of them totally abhorrent, with the exception of his children and his mother. The siblings are all cashing in now he's dead because MJ wouldn't let them while he was alive. I feel sorry for his children being surrounded by the leeches that are the Jackson family.
Agree with JN also. I know what MJ looks and sounds like. He's a 50 year old man, he's not gonna be as squeaky voiced as he was in the 80's. Ridiculous that they can even suggest that there are stand-ins. He was weeks away from the opening night of the tour. It doesn't matter what anyone says, he's bound to be in decent shape and well prepared. He was a perfectionist.
The Jacksons should hang their heads in shame. I hope the kids go to Diana Ross when Katherine Jackson dies.
By MJ Lives. Posted October 25 2009 at 10:10 AM.
Who cares!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Net. Posted October 25 2009 at 9:59 AM.
What are they talking about? I'm sure we're getting a sugarcoated version of the truth in this film, but come on! I know what MJ looks like and what he sounds like and it's all him in the clips we've seen. If Joe and LaToya don't recognize their own family member, I'm worried. What awful people they are. Joe especially. Talking like this, while charging mega bucks for fans to watch the movie with him. Ugh. I'd rather pay NOT to be around Joe Jackson, thank you.
By JN. Posted October 25 2009 at 8:48 AM.
It gets worse. Apparently the Jackson circus have instructed all cinemas to use a script when advising cinema goers about the film (not a documentary) . If any member of staff slags off the film or Michael Jackson they will be sacked.
By Mr. Posted October 25 2009 at 7:28 AM.
Although I should show some respect for Michael's family, I must say that Joe and LaToya are ridiculous people. Joe scared the heck out of Michael during his youth and was promoting his record label on a talk show a few days after his son's death. LaToya made public statement saying she saw Michael molesting children back in 1993. Although she later retracted her statement saying she was forced by her ex-husband to made the statement, the harm was done on Michael. I know he has forgiven his sister eventually, but it just shows she is not a credible person.
By Natalie. Posted October 25 2009 at 4:51 AM.
If there are cases where the family feels it is not MJ they should identify them, which ones? where? and find out for sure before they make these claims. I would like to support the Jackson family but I am really appalled at Joe and Latoya's behavior. I am really beginning to understand why there was such a disconnect between Michael and his family.
I have no doubt MJ was struggling mentally and physically with this tour, and much is being hidden for the sake of selling the film. But I also have no doubt that Joe and Latoya are media whores and that lessens the credibility of anything they say.
By Queen. Posted October 25 2009 at 3:00 AM.
Well it sure isnt stopping Joe from charging $3,000 to watch the movie premier with him in Vegas!! If he dont believe its Michael then he should'nt be promoting it to make a profit for himself!!! This family is ridiculous!
(and to the writers..Cant you quit with jacko)???
By pmiller. Posted October 25 2009 at 1:29 AM.
A friend of mine has just made a good point, if the filmakers used a stand it and didn't advertise it as such they would be breaking the law because of false advertising.
I hope Jo and La Toya didn't say this, and why are they talking to to tabloids anyway. Michael must be turning in his grave over their behaviour.
By Jane Ross. Posted October 25 2009 at 1:18 AM.
I totally agree with you Jane. Joe and La Toya just never know when to shut up, I'm positive that the guy in the trailer clips is Michael, and when the film's released his fans will be able to tell for themselves, if there is indeed anything to tell.
By Hattie. Posted October 25 2009 at 12:19 AM.
I can believe this. Michael was not well,
that was evident. .. and he was not in a good place mentally hrs before he died. He was upset and writing dark poems and hanging them on strings from what I heard.
The filmakers are trying to sugarcoat the truth about Michael.
By Erin. Posted October 24 2009 at 11:37 PM.
thats stupid, where is this look alike, he sounds, moves and looks identical to michael, whys he not the best in the world.
By steve. Posted October 24 2009 at 11:28 PM.
Nobody could fool Michael's fans, that was Michael, and La Toya and Joe should just sit down and be quiet, every time they open their stupid mouths it makes you realise that Michael couldn't even trust some of his own family not to trash him.
By Jane Ross. Posted October 24 2009 at 10:20 PM.