Actor Joseph Fiennes To Play Legendary Singer Michael Jackson In Upcoming Comedy Show, Casting Stirs Racial Controversy

Britain's Sky Arts Production Company has decided to cast actor Joseph Fiennes as the world's famous Black American superstar, Michael Jackson, in a comedy show that revolves around a road trip taken by three celebrities in the midst of the 9/11 terror attacks.

Sky Arts' Publicist Dominic Collett said that the half-hour comedy program will premiere in Sky Arts channel this year. The exact date of the broadcast, however, has not been confirmed, Straits Times reported.

Collett described the show as "a light-hearted look at a reportedly true event." The program is part of a series of comedies that will tell the tale of unlikely stories fromthe history pages of arts and culture. 

Fiennes confirmed that he already received the script for the show. The actor said he found the portrayal challenging because it does not only point out to a literal comedy show but it depitcs an urban legend that involved Marlon Brando, Michael Jackson and Elizabeth Taylor.

The film's plot is perceived to be quite "bizarre as the casting" as it evolves on a road trip taken by Taylor, Brando and Jackson at the time when all flights in the United States were put on hold following the tragic Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist bombing.

"It's a comedy. 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," said Fiennes.

Sky Arts has chosen 71-year-old American star Stockard Channing to play the role of Elizabeth Taylor while 69-year-old Scottish actor Brian Cox will playas  Marlon Brando.

"Sky Arts gives producers the creative freedom to cast roles as they wish, within the diversity framework which we have set," said Collett.

The Guardian reported that production met criticisms due to racial concerns over the casting of a white actor for a black role.  There is much ambiguity as to who could properly portray Jackson, who suffered from a skin pigmentation disease. However, many are curious if a white actor such as Joseph Fiennes can capture the essence of Michael Jackson's being African-American.