D Thursday, October 29, 2009 METRO 3 IT WAS like a scene from Thriller: At the most unholy of hours 4am hordes of Jacko fans lined up to get behind their idol one last time. And while Michael Jackson may be gone, a night celebrating the King of Pop proved his legacy lives on. Dublin was one of 17 cities across the world which hosted simultaneous premieres of This Is It yesterday, a film of footage from Jacksons re- hearsals for his planned final gigs. Jackson, 50, died in June, just weeks before the 50-date residency at Lon- dons O2 was due to start, but the film gives a taste of the spectacle he had planned to be his curtain call. More than 350 fans gathered at Vue CinemainLiffeyValley,manydressed in Jacko garb, to see the spectacle. All were impressed, many were sad- dened, and some wondered how such an enthusiastic, and fit-looking per- former died so soon afterwards. BY ROSS McDONAGH To me hes bigger than Elvis now The LA premiere of the film was an emotional event attended by members of the performers family as well as the films director, Kenny Ortega, and stars Will Smith and Jennifer Lopez. Speaking from a star-packed Lon- don premiere, Westlifes Kian Egan said: Its for the fans, and I think thats what he would have wanted. To me hes bigger than Elvis now. His musics going to live forever. This Is It, which was described as the single most brilliant piece of film-making by Jacksons friend, ac- tress Elizabeth Taylor, will be shown in cinemas for two weeks. The films release has been contro- versial as an investigation into Jack- sons death is not yet complete and some fans believe those close to the star could have done more to prevent his death. Jackson died on June 25 after being brought to hospital suffering from a suspected heart attack. The LA Coun- ty Coroner has since ruled the death was homicide caused by acute intoxi- cation with the sedative propofol. Jacko fans turn out at 4am for Dublin premiere of This Is It Its a Thriller night Earth song: MJ impersonators entertain fans in Beijing Eye cant wait: Fans eagerly anticipate the film in LA Pop idols: Westlife at the London premiere Hes my brother: Jermaine Jackson Red-stepper day: The shadow of a Jacko impersonator is cast on the red carpet at the Taiwan premiere of This Is It Pictures: Getty Signing off: Paris Hilton with fans in LA index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html