Fiennes defends Jackson role

Actor chosen to play MJ in surreal comedy

Oseph Fiennes has defended his decision to play Michael Jackson in an upcoming comedy, despite a furore over the casting of a white British actor in the role of an American black superstar.
Fiennes told AFPTV that he was "shocked" at being chosen for the role, but insisted he had no qualms about taking on "a wonderful role" in what was "just a satire."
Fiennes plays Jackson in the upcoming Elizabeth, Michael and Marlon, a short and surreal comedy produced by British pay-TV channel Sky Arts which imagines Jackson, Elizabeth Taylor and Marlon Brando taking a road trip together in the immediate aftermath of the 9/11 attacks on New York.
"I was shocked that they would come to me for the casting. You have to ask them as to why they would want to cast me."
The decision to give Fiennes the role has triggered suggestions that mainstream media have learned nothing from the row over the lack of black candidates for the major Oscar acting awards this year, for the second straight year.
But he suggested critics getting worked up about his casting were overplaying the importance of the piece.
"I felt this was a wonderful challenge, I read the script and it's very funny.
"It's a satire, it's just a 20-minute satire. It's a sketch about a story that could have been a legend or could have been true. So we'll see what the audience make of it." AFP