Joseph Fiennes now regrets playing Michael Jackson in a 2016 episode of Urban Myths calling it ‘a wrong decision’ and a ‘bad mistake’
Seven years after his controversial portrayal of the late Michael Jackson, Joseph Fiennes admitted taking the role was a ‘wrong decision’ and a ‘bad mistake.’
Fiennes, 53, played Michael Jackson in a 2016 episode of the British TV series Urban Myths, loosely based on true stories about celebrities.
The release of that episode’s trailer – which followed a post-9/11 road trip taken by Jackson, Marlon Brando (Brian Cox) and Elizabeth Taylor (Stockard Channing) – was immediately controversial.
Michael’s daughter Paris tweeted the trailer, ‘honestly makes me want to vomit,’ with the controversy resulting in Sky Arts pulling the episode indefinitely before airing.
Fiennes – who recently signed on to play football manager Gareth Southgate in a new play – opened up to The Guardian about the ill-fated role.
Mistake: Seven years after his controversial portrayal of the late Michael Jackson, Joseph Fiennes admitted taking the role was a ‘wrong decision’ and a ‘bad mistake’
Joseph as Michael: Fiennes, 53, played Michael Jackson in a 2016 episode of the British TV series Urban Myths, loosely based on true stories about celebrities
‘I think people are absolutely right to be upset. And it was a wrong decision. Absolutely,’ Fiennes admitted.
‘And I’m one part of that – there are producers, broadcasters, writers, directors, all involved in these decisions,’ Fiennes admitted.
‘But obviously if I’m upfront, I have become the voice for other people. I would love them to be around the table as well to talk about it,’ he continued.
‘But you know, it came at a time where there was a movement and a shift and that was good, and it was, you know, a bad call. A bad mistake,’ Fiennes admitted.
When Sky pulled the episode, they released a statement which said that was done, ‘in light of the concerns expressed by Michael Jackson’s immediate family.’
Fiennes added, ‘And, just to say, I asked the broadcaster to pull it. And there were some pretty hefty discussions, but ultimately people made the right choice.’
The actor’s career was launched into the stratosphere early on with two breakthrough roles in 1998 – Elizabeth and Shakespeare in Love.
Fiennes also reveals in the interview that he turned down a five-picture deal with Harvey Weinstein after the success of Shakespeare in Love.
Absolutely: ‘I think people are absolutely right to be upset. And it was a wrong decision. Absolutely,’ Fiennes admitted
Mistake: ‘But you know, it came at a time where there was a movement and a shift and that was good, and it was, you know, a bad call. A bad mistake,’ Fiennes admitted
He revealed that Weinstein had summoned him to his hotel room and made it clear that if he didn’t take the deal it would potentially ruin his career.
‘It was a bullying tactic that didn’t sit well,’ Fiennes said, adding he wasn’t aware of all the allegations against him that surfaced with the #MeToo movement.
‘The way he explained it was a shock to me. But I suddenly sat in the room very present, and happy and strong in myself to say, you know what, I’m not beholden to that. I’m stepping away,’ he added.
When asked if he thought stepping away from that deal hurt his career, Fiennes said, ‘I don’t think it helped me. Hurt? No, maybe not hurt. But he made it clear that he won’t support me. He’ll make a very strong movement not to support me. I was out of the family. But I was very happy not to be in the family.’
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