Joseph Fiennes Playing Michael Jackson?

[MadVillainy]

What. In. The. Actual. F***?!

Today in news that sounds like a series of escalating dares: Joseph Fiennes is set to play Michael Jackson in an original dramedy film for British network Sky Arts, which will tell the story of how Jackson, Elizabeth Taylor and Marlon Brando allegedly piled into a car to escape New York following the 9/11 terrorist attack. Yes, as in that Michael Jackson.

The Guardian reports that Sky Arts is developing a dramedy based on the urban legend that gained some credence in a Vanity Fair article back in 2011, in which Taylor’s former personal assistant detailed the wacky road trip Jackson tried to take with the iconic actress and Marlon Brando, with the unlikely trio hopping in a car and heading for Ohio to get far away from the tragedy unfolding in New York.

The strange tale has already inspired by a short story by Zadie Smith, and will now serve as the basis for perhaps the strangest television film in recent memory — except for maybe that Lifetime movie in which Lindsay Lohan played Elizabeth Taylor; lesson: Elizabeth Taylor makes for really wacky TV movie fodder.

As The Guardian notes, the story may not be totally true, as another former assistant to the late Taylor says that the actress remained in New York and visited Ground Zero. For Fiennes’ part, the actor confirms his role and describes the movie as a “fun, lighthearted, tongue-in-cheek road trip of what celebrity of that kind is like,” adding, “But also it’s rather beautiful and poignant about their relationships.” No disrespect.

And in more sensible casting choices, Stockard Channing will play the role of Taylor, with Brian Cox as Brando.
http://screencrush.com/joseph-fiennes-michael-jackson-911-movie/?trackback=tsmclip

I didnt know whether to put this in the TV section or film section...

But yeah i dont even...

 

[Sawyer]

People are going to make a big stink about the racial aspect of the casting, and so be it, but I find it hard to imagine any actor, regardless of skin color, being able to embody that sort of alien-zombie hybrid thing Jackson had going on in his final years.

So yeah, it's a head scratcher, but it's only moderately more puzzling than if any other actor had been cast.

 

[Pink Ranger]

People are going to make a big stink about the racial aspect of the casting, and so be it, but I find it hard to imagine any actor, regardless of skin color, being able to embody that sort of alien-zombie hybrid thing Jackson had going on in his final years.

When it comes to 21st century Michael Jackson, I think the race activists will give this one a pass.

 

[Fincher]

People are going to make a big stink about the racial aspect of the casting, and so be it, but I find it hard to imagine any actor, regardless of skin color, being able to embody that sort of alien-zombie hybrid thing Jackson had going on in his final years.

So yeah, it's a head scratcher, but it's only moderately more puzzling than if any other actor had been cast.

Honestly, they probably should have cast an actress in the role. Joseph Fiennes doesn't have the nose for it, and probably couldn't fake the voice.

 

[Pink Ranger]

Honestly, they probably should have cast an actress in the role. Joseph Fiennes doesn't have the nose for it, and probably couldn't fake the voice.

Tilda Swinton can play anything.

 

[jokesonm3]

I would love to meet a brotha as light skinned as MJ in his later years.

 

[Da-Scribe]

I would love to meet a brotha as light skinned as MJ in his later years.

Nice to meet you.

 

[Schlosser85]

I could honestly see Tilda Swinton as MJ before Joseph Fiennes.

 

[Majik1387]

They shoulda cast Ashley Greene.



But seriously, I'm really digging Stockard Channing as Elizabeth Taylor and Brian Cox as Marlon Brando, but no matter who would have been cast as Jackson, no one would be happy.

I know it kind of toes the line of blackface/whiteface, but I can't think of any light-skinned black actors that would fit although they could have gone the White Chicks route, but also, I don't think just because MJ ended up as white for decades before his passing that the role should have automatically gone to a white person.

Simply put, the movie's story is already a bit wtf-ery, and we haven't had a real fun wtf kind of movie in a while. In a weird way, this is making me think that this is gonna be this generation's To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar.

Can't wait.

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

I could honestly see Tilda Swinton as MJ before Joseph Fiennes.

Yeah, Tilda is kind of perfect.

Now I can't unsee her playing Michael.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

People are actually going to complain about this?

 

[Da-Scribe]

People are actually going to complain about this?

Yeah. It kinda blows when you're an actor of color being denied opportunities in the business. It blows even more when white actors and media personalities tell you to buck the **** up and deal with it. But when all of that happens, then one of the most celebrated African American entertainers gets cast as a white guy in a high profile production on the basis that he was pale...well I feel like I shouldn't really have to explain how ridiculous all that looks.

 

[Schlosser85]

Whoever was cast as MJ would have to wear so much makeup in the movie....how would they replicate his nose? CGI?

 

[Pink Ranger]

This movie is clearly an intentional farce, so any race activist trying to make hay over this is just going to embarrass themselves. It's like complaining why a Latino rapper is playing Alexander Hamilton on Broadway.

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

People are actually going to complain about this?

They should recast the role with Wesley Snipes just to troll the critics.

 

[Pink Ranger]

They should recast the role with Wesley Snipes just to troll the critics.

Michael Sheen as Wesley Snipes as Michael Jackson.

 

[Eddie Dean]

Should have gotten Diego Luna again.

 

[Da-Scribe]

This movie is clearly an intentional farce, so any race activist trying to make hay over this is just going to embarrass themselves. It's like complaining why a Latino rapper is playing Alexander Hamilton on Broadway.

I'd agree if not for the fact that the other two roles were cast with actors that couldn't be more spot on. That combined with the fact the MJ was explicitly against the idea of a white person playing him in a movie and was quite vocal about his pride in being a black American just makes this casting the biggest farce.

 

[Shawn Wayne]

Akiva Goldsman was right about Idirs, and now it applies again. Peace

 

[MadVillainy]

Im still confused about this. the story. the casting. but eh...Im curious

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Yeah. It kinda blows when you're an actor of color being denied opportunities in the business. It blows even more when white actors and media personalities tell you to buck the **** up and deal with it. But when all of that happens, then one of the most celebrated African American entertainers gets cast as a white guy in a high profile production on the basis that he was pale...well I feel like I shouldn't really have to explain how ridiculous all that looks.

So people are going to ignore how Michael Jackson looked at this point in his life?

 

[Sawyer]

Eh. On one hand I get what you're saying, but when you're doing a movie concerning one of the most iconic black artists of all time (regardless of his physical appearance at that time) and you cast a white guy... it's a pretty big blow.

 

[chamber-music]

I'm black and I'm fine with this. Let's be real, how Michael Jackson looked in later years was extremely different from his original ethnic features. Jackson looked closer to a white guy than a black guy (which may or may not of been intentional).

If they were casting for younger Jackson than I would of been in favor of a black actor.

 

[Majik1387]

If they were going for a younger Jackson, I would have wanted Elijah Kelly.

 

[Rowsdower!]

I don't think the "Michael was white towards the end of his life" argument really works because ANY actor would need to wear a ton of makeup to look remotely like him. He was CHALK white, like the Joker. However, Michael was not actually a white man, and given how Hollywood (clearly) still has a major diversity problem, this casting really feels like a slap in the face to African Americans.