This is strange making a black hero a white man.. It is just like filming Arnold as Luther King, at a time you thought the racial controversy surrounding Hollywood could not get any more intense, Sky Arts has decided to cast a white actor, Joseph Fiennes (“American Horror Story,” “Shakespeare In Love”) as Michael Jackson in their upcoming dramedy film.
The premise of the film is definitely an odd one, detailing the harrowing cross-country road trip of Michael Jackson, Elizabeth Taylor and Marlon Brando as they attempt to get out of New York City in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Michael Jackson’s plastic surgery and “racial reconstruction” has attracted a lot of criticism and a lot of humor over the years, but the choice to cast a white actor in this role will surely stoke the flames of controversy.
On one hand, a visual depiction of Michael Jackson at that time does almost seem in line with Fiennes features. On the other hand, “white-washing” people of color — especially someone as iconic as Michael Jackson — may not win this movie any favors in the eyes of the public.
This announcement could not have come at a worse time, with the #OscarsSoWhite issue still at the forefront of everyone’s minds. Twitter was full of confusion and shock as the news hit the net, but “Sleepy Hollow” actor Orlando Jones is surprisingly fine with the casting news.
“I’m TOTALLY on board with Joseph Fiennes playing Michael Jackson IF AND ONLY IF Angela Bassett is cast as Elizabeth Taylor,” Jones says.
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