Seven years after his controversial portrayal of the late Michael Jackson, Joseph Fiennes admitted that taking on the role was a “wrong decision” and a “serious mistake.”
Fiennes, 53, played Michael Jackson in a 2016 episode of the British TV series Urban Myths, loosely based on true celebrity stories.
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 I want to throw up,” with the controversy leading to 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 The protector about the fateful role.
Wrong: Seven years after his controversial portrayal of the late Michael Jackson, Joseph Fiennes admitted taking on the role was a ‘wrong decision’ and a ‘big mistake’
Joseph as Michael: Fiennes, 53, played Michael Jackson in a 2016 episode of the British TV series Urban Myths, loosely based on true celebrity stories
“I think people are absolutely right about being upset. And it was a wrong decision. Absolutely,” Fiennes admitted.
“And I’m part of that — there are producers, broadcasters, writers, directors, all involved in these decisions,” Fiennes admitted.
“But if I’m outspoken, of course I’ve become the voice of other people. I would like them to sit down at the table and 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 decision. A gross mistake,” Fiennes admitted.
When Sky pulled the episode back, they released a statement saying it had done so, “in light of the concerns of Michael Jackson’s immediate family.”
Fiennes added: ‘And, just to say, I’ve asked the broadcaster to pull it. And there were quite intense discussions, but in the end people made the right choice.’
The actor’s career was launched early into the stratosphere with two breakout 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 following the success of Shakespeare in Love.
Absolutely: ‘I think people are completely justified in being upset. And it was a wrong decision. Absolutely,” Fiennes admitted
Wrong: “But you know, it came at a time when there was a movement and a shift and that was good, and it was, you know, a bad decision. A gross mistake,” Fiennes admitted
He revealed that Weinstein called him to his hotel room and made it clear that if he didn’t take the deal, it could potentially ruin his career.
“It was a bullying tactic that didn’t go down well,” Fiennes said, adding that he was unaware of all the allegations against him that were surfacing with the #MeToo movement.
“The way he explained it was a shock to me. But I was suddenly very present in the room, and happy and strong in myself to say, you know what, I’m not obligated to. I’m stepping out,” he added.
When asked if he thought quitting that deal would hurt his career, Fiennes said: ‘I don’t think it helped me. Hurt? No, maybe no pain. But he made it clear that he will not support me. He will make a very strong move not to support me. I was from the family. But I was very glad I wasn’t in the family.’