People Are Outraged That A White Actor Is Going To Play Michael Jackson In A New Film

People are outraged that a white actor has been cast to play Michael Jackson in a new film.

Joseph Fiennes will play the King of Pop in a British film about him taking a road trip with Elizabeth Taylor and Marlon Brando in order to escape New York after 9/11.

Fiennes confirmed his role during an interview this week.

“I got the script the other day,” Fiennes said. “It’s a challenge. It’s a comedy.”‘

The film in question is based on a 2011 Vanity Fair article titled, “Liz Taylor, Michael Jackson, and Marlon Brando Star in…Escape from New York!”

The piece is about a road trip some people believe the late stars took from New York to Los Angeles following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

The night before the attacks, Jackson had performed at his 30th anniversary celebration in Madison Square Garden.

Critics said this just goes to show that there is a lack of diversity in Hollywood.

Joseph Fiennes can play Michael Jackson. (A real person). But Idris can’t play James Bond (a fake spy for a fake agency)? Cool, cool, cool.

— Prentice Penny (@The_A_Prentice) January 27, 2016

Wait wait wait. Joseph Fiennes is playing MJ? This wasn’t a joke?
— This Is Rochelle (@RR416)January 27, 2016

Joseph Fiennes is playing Michael Jackson? Fab. Now we can all shut up about lack of diversity.

— Shappi Khorsandi (@ShappiKhorsandi) January 27, 2016

Congratulations to noted African-American actor Joseph Fiennes on being cast as Michael Jackson…
— Scott Mendelson (@ScottMendelson) January 27, 2016

Oddly enough, it won’t be the first time I’ll see Joseph Fiennes portray a man of color. I saw him 20 years ago as Jesus in a London play.

— Jamil Smith (@JamilSmith)January 26, 2016

Whose on board with boycotting the whitewashing of Michael Jackson in a show where Joseph Fiennes has been casted to play him?
— shadeoncé (@tawnybananas) January 27, 2016

Joseph Fiennes (pictured) has been cast to play Michael Jackson in a new drama. I kid you not. #OscarsSoWhitepic.twitter.com/7AN2l4zpwp

— Charles Clymer (@cmclymer) January 27, 2016