Seven years ago actor Joseph Fiennes, who had once wowed critics with his masterful composition in Shakespeare in Love, agreed to play Michael Jackson in an episode of the English series Urban Myths. But very quickly the mere publication of a few images showed that this “peopolizing” and vaguely grotesque biopic was far from being a success. Time has passed but the wound is still not healed since in a recent interview with the Guardian, the British comedian said that accepting this role had been “a bad decision and a mistake”.
The scenarios for the Urban Myths series, which aired for four years, between 2017 and 2020, on Sky Arts, were based on unverified indiscretions about the lives of very famous figures in the world of culture at large. The episode that caused controversy, and today the remorse of Joseph Fiennes, filmed the trio Marlon Brando (Brian Cox), Liz Taylor (Stockard Channing) and Michael Jackson. These three sacred monsters were then resurrected during a road trip, which hesitated between comedy and tragedy, on the roads of the United States carried out just after the attacks of September 11, 2001.
Beyond this questionable pitch, the controversy at the time also focused on the choice of a white actor (Joseph Fiennes) to interpret a black singer (Michael Jackson). With hindsight, the English actor regrets having yielded to the proponents of the wokist ideology without precisely naming them: “It happened at a time when there was a movement, a change which seemed positive. In fact, it was a hasty judgement. A serious mistake”. And under pressure from part of the public and from Paris Jackson, the daughter of the King of Pop, the episode will not be broadcast.
Joseph Fiennes wants to fight his guilt but he does not want to be the only one to assume this questionable artistic choice. And today, he calls on all those involved in the Urban Myths affair to take their responsibilities: “Producers and broadcasters have thrown their weight behind this series. Of course, as an actor I am on the front line. But I would like everyone to take responsibility for their choices.
Some uplifting images from Urban Myths….
