MUMBAI: An upcoming drama has sparked controversy after casting British actor Joseph Fiennes as the late ‘King of Pop’ Michael Jackson .

The special - being produced by Sky Arts - will focus on an alleged road trip where Jackson was joined by late actors Elizabeth Taylor and Marlon Brando.

Having been in the pipeline for several years, the drama will also feature Stockard Channing as Taylor and Brian Cox as Brando. However, it's the casting of Fiennes that has annoyed some people, reports mirror.co.uk.

While Jackson was born African-American, his appearance changed drastically during his career.

The singer's changing face was down to him suffering from vitaligo, as well as his dependence on cosmetic surgery.

Still, many people have stormed social media to criticise those in charge for casting Fiennes in the role.

One person tweeted, “Even getting white actors to play black people now #outrageous #OscarsSoWhite.”

Another wrote, “I love joseph fiennes but wtf were they thinking casting him as michael jackson?”

A third added, “Appalled by the Joseph Fiennes casting. Somebody so hideously rich has the freedom to choose what roles they say yes to. He saw no issue.”

Fiennes has revealed that he considers the role a ‘challenge’.

He said, “It's a challenge. It's a comedy. It doesn’t poke mean fun but it's a story, possibly urban legend, whereby Michael, Marlon Brando, and Liz Taylor were all together the day before 9/11 doing a concert. Airspace was shut down and they couldn’t get out and Michael had the bright idea to go to hire a car and drive.”

(Source: IANS)