Joseph Fiennes Cast To Play Michael Jackson In Movie And People Are Not Impressed

Actor Joseph Fiennes has reportedly been cast to play Michael Jackson in a new movie and people are not impressed. According to The Guardian, the new movie, Michael, Elizabeth and Marlon, is a one-off special due to be shown on Sky Arts and will also star Stockard Channing as Taylor and Brian Cox as Brando. While Joseph presumably got the role on merit, many have been criticising the choice to cast a caucasian actor to play a legendary African-American such as Michael Jackson. Fiennes is best known for his role in the 1998 movie Shakespeare In Love. Image via YouTube/LionsgateVOD The new movie will tell the story of how Michael Jackson, Elizabeth Taylor and Marlon Brando got stuck in New York during the 9/11 attacks. While grounded in the Big Apple they decided to drive the whole way back to Calfornia together but only managed to get as far as Ohio. After the news broke, people were not one bit impressed about the casting:

Congratulations to noted African-American actor Joseph Fiennes on being cast as Michael Jackson...

— Scott Mendelson (@ScottMendelson) January 27, 2016

When Joseph Fiennes' agent came to him and said "I want you to audition for the role of MJ" how did Joseph not hang up on him??? — Awesomely Luvvie (@Luvvie) January 27, 2016

“Joseph Fiennes to play Michael Jackson in 9/11 road-trip drama.” By the end of that headline, I’d nearly forgotten about the race part.

— Jamil Smith (@JamilSmith) January 26, 2016

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