Michael Jackson: 3D movie release this Autumn

A 3D film is to be released of Michael Jackson in rehearsal for the This Is It concerts at London's O2 Arena he was planning when he died in June. Sony Pictures paid $60m for permission to turn the unedited footage into a movie in a deal negotiated last month and finally okayed by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge yesterday.

The film, to be released worldwide on October 30, will be put together by High School Musical director Kenny Ortega, who had been working as Jackson's 'creative partner' on the planned concerts. He said: "[The film] will show Michael as one of the greatest entertainers in the world and one of the industry's most creative minds."

Ortega added: "This Is It was Michael's last theatrical work and although it was still a work in progress, I think the footage will show that the process was something that Michael deeply enjoyed and that it was clear that he was on his way to another theatrical triumph."

Meanwhile, the LA coroner's office has announced it has completed its investigation into the singer's death, but the results will not be made public at least until the LA police have completed an inquiry. Investigators have seized computer hard drives, correspondence and other items from the offices of Jackson's personal doctor, Conrad Murray.

In other developments:

•Two proposed tribute concerts, which would have taken place at the O2 arena on August 29 and 30, have been cancelled after organisers were unable to get committments from performers including Justin Timberlake and the X Factor winner, Leona Lewis. However, a tribute concert in Austria by the Jackson family and other performers has been confirmed.

•Jackson family lawyer Londell McMillan has spoken out against a claim by the former British child actor Mark Lester - star of the musical Oliver! - that he was the biological father of Michael Jackson's daughter, Paris. McMillan said yesterday it was "another unproven and meaningless claim". ·