People are outraged that a white actor has been cast to play Michael Jackson in a new film.
Joseph Fiennes will play the King of Pop in a British film about him taking a road trip with Elizabeth Taylor and Marlon Brando in order to escape New York after 9/11.
Fiennes confirmed his role during an interview this week.
“I got the script the other day,” Fiennes said. “It’s a challenge. It’s a comedy.”‘
(Photo: Getty Images)
“It doesn’t poke mean fun, but it’s a story, possibly urban legend, whereby Michael, Marlon Brando, and Liz Taylor were all together the day before 9/11 doing a concert. Airspace was shut down and they couldn’t get out and Michael had the bright idea to go to hire a car and drive.” (RELATED: Eddie Griffin: ‘Cosby Rape Accusations Are Part Of Conspiracy To Bring Down Successful Black Men’)
(Photo: Getty Images)
“It’s a fun, light-hearted tongue in cheek road trip of what celebrity of that kind is like,” Fiennes added. “But also it’s rather beautiful and poignant about their relationships as well.” (RELATED: Janet Jackson Reveals Whether She Has Throat Cancer)
(Photo: Carlo Allegri/Getty Images)
Critics said this just goes to show that there is a lack of diversity in Hollywood.
Joseph Fiennes can play Michael Jackson. (A real person). But Idris can’t play James Bond (a fake spy for a fake agency)? Cool, cool, cool.
— Prentice Penny (@The_A_Prentice) January 27, 2016
Wait wait wait. Joseph Fiennes is playing MJ? This wasn’t a joke?
— This Is Rochelle (@RR416) January 27, 2016
Joseph Fiennes is playing Michael Jackson? Fab. Now we can all shut up about lack of diversity.
— Shappi Khorsandi (@ShappiKhorsandi) January 27, 2016
Congratulations to noted African-American actor Joseph Fiennes on being cast as Michael Jackson…
— Scott Mendelson (@ScottMendelson) January 27, 2016
Oddly enough, it won’t be the first time I’ll see Joseph Fiennes portray a man of color. I saw him 20 years ago as Jesus in a London play.
— Jamil Smith (@JamilSmith) January 26, 2016
Whose on board with boycotting the whitewashing of Michael Jackson in a show where Joseph Fiennes has been casted to play him?
— shadeoncé (@tawnybananas) January 27, 2016
Joseph Fiennes (pictured) has been cast to play Michael Jackson in a new drama. I kid you not. #OscarsSoWhite pic.twitter.com/7AN2l4zpwp
— Charles Clymer (@cmclymer) January 27, 2016