Joseph Fiennes, Stockard Channing Set for Michael Jackson TV Biopic

Deadline has confirmed that Joseph Fiennes will take on the role of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson in an upcoming television biopic for the UK's Sky Arts. Titled ELIZABETH, MICHAEL & MARLON, the movie will follow an alleged road trip by Jackson, Elizabeth Taylor and Marlon Brando following the September 11th terrorist attacks in New York City. Stockard Channing (IT'S ONLY A PLAY) will portray Taylor, while Brian Cox will take on film icon Brando.

According to a report in Vanity Fair, Taylor and Brando were invited by Jackson to attend his concert in New York City at the time of the attacks. Desperate to get out the city as soon as possible, the threesome rented a car and drove to Ohio. The story has never been confirmed.

Sky Arts' Elizabeth, Michael & Marlon describes the project as a comedy "which takes a light-hearted look at a reportedly true event." Commenting on casting a white actor in the role of Jackson, she says the network "gives producers the creative freedom to cast roles as they wish, within the diversity FRAMEWORK which we have set."

Fiennes told WENN that the comedy "doesn't poke mean fun" but is "a light-hearted tongue-in-cheek road trip of what celebrity of that kind is like. But also it's rather beautiful and poignant about their relationships as well."

The film is expected to air later this year.

Photo Credit: Jennifer Broski

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