Joseph Fiennes defended his Michael Jackson casting in an upcoming film Elizabeth, Michael and Marlon. The upcoming drama parked controversy after casting the British actor Fiennes as Michael Jackson. Fiennes is the white younger brother of Ralph. Fiennes is a white British actor best known for his role in 1998's Shakespeare in Love.
The British actor said he welcomes a conversation on its implications. Joseph Fiennes is set to play Michael Jackson in a new British made-for-TV 9/11 in an upcoming half-hour, road trip comedy TV movie.
"I deal in imagination, so I don't think imagination should have rules stamped on them," Fiennes told The Associated Press on Wednesday. "If it promotes stereotyping, then it's wrong. I made a distinction that the Jackson project doesn't do that."
"I think outrage is good, as long as it doesn't get into a violent shouting match," Fiennes told The Hollywood Reporter. "These conversations are really important and they shape our industry. It's vital to have them. I kind of welcome it. You can't do this and not welcome it."
Fiennes acknowledges that being cast as Michael Jackson is "sensitive" but contends he never intended it to be divisive.
"This is territory that is sensitive. One must determine if this portrayal is one that is going to be positive entertainment, and one that will not bring about division and put anyone's noses out of joint, so I went with the mind that this was a positive light-hearted comedy," Fiennes said.
"This is not a movie; it's a small television 20-minute sketch. It's a very sweet comedy that looks at Michael, Marlon and Taylor," Fiennes said.
Brian Cox will play Marlon Brando. Grease actress Stockard Channing will play Elizabeth Taylor. The screenplay was written by Neil Forsyth who wrote "Delete This At Your Peril." The TV movie, "Elizabeth, Michael and Marlon," is currently in post-production.
