the current argument is Oscars’ lack of diversity, to add injury to insult, this film for British television movie is about a road trip-not a “Michael Jackson biopic” by far.
Reportedly, this movie is based off a 2011 Vanity Fair article about a bizarre yet, true to life road trip that the late Elizabeth Taylor and Michael Jackson, took with Marlon Brando following the terrorist attacks on September 11 (2001).
The original “Pink Ladies/beauty school dropout” Grease star Stockard Channing is set to play Elizabeth (with whom she actually does favor) and Brian Cox will be cast as Brando.
The fact that Joseph Fiennes is playing Michael Jackson has sparked outrage and concern on social media and #BlackTwitter but too, tongue and cheek jokes from others. Somewhere up above, Michael is having his “Jesus juice” and enjoying this, I’m sure.
When it comes to picking people to play famous people, people are hyper-sensitive.
Just this past Saturday, although her biopic was well-received and did well in ratings, people weren’t too impressed with lighter-skinned actress Lex Scott playing singer Toni Braxton. Many complained that she looked nothing like the “trademark” brown-skinned actress who, along with the short pixie hair cut, her ‘brown’ skin was just as much apart of her ‘look’ as her talent-a package deal. (The character that played Toni Braxton’s music partner (Babyface) got the green light for closely resembling him, however).
Although it helps in not being distracted and speeds the movie along when an actor/actress closely resembles the famous character they play, is it always necessary?
It is easier to follow/believe the movie when they actor resembles the famous character they are playing but isn’t always necessary (if the actor was really good playing the role).
