Elizabeth, Michael and Marlon – set to air on the U.K.’s Sky Arts, with no release plans for the USA yet – is based on a Vanity Fair article about Jackson’s alleged post-9/11 road trip with Elizabeth Taylor (Stockard Channing) and Marlon Brando (Brian Cox).
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As the debate rages on about the lack of quality roles for actors of color and thus the lack of representation at awards shows, one person tweeted, “Joseph Fiennes can play Michael Jackson”.
Still, when you can put Michael Jackson, Elizabeth Taylor and Marlon Brando in a vehicle heading back to Hollywood with the black cloud of 9/11 chasing them, you don’t let facts get in the way of a good story.
While a former employee of the King of Pop told VF that “They actually got as far as OH – all three of them, in a auto they drove themselves”, a rep for Taylor insists she wasn’t part of the expedition.
“Elizabeth, Michael & Marlon is a Sky Arts comedy which takes a lighthearted look at a reportedly true event”, a Sky spokesperson tells Rolling Stone, clarifying that the project is neither a drama nor a movie. The casting has been severely criticised, however, the British actor has spoken out about his unorthodox approach to place the pop icon.
This comes amid the current controversy about the Academy Award nominees and the #OscarsSoWhite campaign, after white actors ruled the top nominations, leading to a revamp of the voting system and, indeed, the Academy itself.
Ralph Fiennes’ little brother Joseph is set to play Michael Jackson.
Fiennes added he expected his casting to cause some backlash, however he said in defense of the film that it is a comedy that will take a “tongue-and-cheek” approach to the story.
Speaking to WENN, Fiennes said: “I got the script the other day”. “But also it’s rather attractive and poignant about their relationships”.
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Who can play Michael Jackson in a role?
