Joseph Fiennes just like everyone else who has heard is surprised he's been hired to play Michael Jackson in an upcoming half-hour comedy for Sky TV. He stated "I'm a white, middle-class guy from London-- I'm as shocked as you may be."," The project, Elizabeth, Michael & Marlon, is based on an urban legend ? originating from a 2011 Vanity Fair story ? about Jackson, Marlon Brando and Elizabeth Taylor embarking on a rental car road trip after 9/11. Brian Cox has been cast as Brando, with Stockard Channing will play Taylor. While he thinks its controversial to cast him to play an African American h stated "[Jackson] definitely had an issue ? a pigmentation issue ? and that's something I do believe, He was probably closer to my color than his original color"