Joseph Fiennes was a pretty big deal in the tailend of the 20th century. He was getting major lead roles in big films and he was the Cumberbatch/Hiddleston of his day, with a rabid, crazy fanbase. And then… it all sort of went away. It was difficult to figure out what exactly happened, but Joseph was no longer a thing. I do think he’s a talented actor and I always hoped he would figure out a way to have some kind of comeback. But not this way. You see, Joseph has scored the lead in a controversial new movie. He’s going to play Michael Jackson. I sh-t you not.
This is casting news we certainly weren’t expecting to hear. British actor Joseph Fiennes will portray Michael Jackson in an upcoming film based on an alleged road trip following the 2001 terrorist attacks in New York, the Guardian reports. The drama is based on a 2011 story in Vanity Fair, which revealed details of the expedition after all air travel to and from New York was grounded as a result of 9/11.
The King of Pop reportedly drove from the Empire State to Ohio along with friends Elizabeth Taylor and Marlon Brando in an attempt to make it back to California, according to Vanity Fair.
“They actually got as far as Ohio – all three of them, in a car they drove themselves,” a former employee of Jackson told the magazine.
However, an assistant for Taylor told the glossy that the actress wasn’t involved in the trip, and chose to stay in New York visiting Ground Zero and praying instead.
Despite the contradicting claims, the film will still include Taylor, played by Stockard Channing and Brian Cox is slated to play Brando.
You can read the original Vanity Fair story here – Michael, Elizabeth and Marlon had been in New York for Michael’s Madison Square Garden concerts (Sept. 7 and 10, 2001) and after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, it’s alleged that the three friends took a crazy roadtrip to try to get back to California. While I think there’s definitely the potential for an interesting/crazy film there, I really don’t understand why Joseph Fiennes would be cast as Michael. Like… how? Why? I know people will say “but Michael had his skin lightened!” or “MJ had so much plastic surgery at that point, he did sort of look like Joseph Fiennes!” But it’s still a big NO. I do love the fact that these casting-whitewashing stories are getting so much press these days though.
Here are some photos of MJ and Elizabeth on September 7, 2001.
Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet and WENN.
