The controversial episode of the television documentary-style series, Urban Myths, has been canceled.
The show re-enacts rumoured events in the lives of real people such as Bob Dylan, Muhammad Ali and Samuel Beckett. In the episode covering the Thriller hitmaker, the story was to follow a rumoured road trip that Michael Jackson, Elizabeth Taylor and Marlon Brando supposedly took in September 2001 in the wake of the 9/11 attacks.
Actor Joseph Fiennes – a white British male best known for the film Shakespeare In Love – was to appear alongside Stockard Channing as Elizabeth Taylor and Brian Cox as Marlon Brando in the now-cancelled episode of the British comedy series.
Earlier this week a trailer of the show was released publicly to a storm of online criticism – including a petition to boycott the episode which has since attracted more than 20,000 signatures.
In the wake of said criticism, the television network behind the series has released a statement announcing that they have decided to pull the plug on that particular episode of the eight-part series.
Watch: The trailer that sparked outrage, even from Michael’s own family. Post continues after video…
“We have taken the decision not to broadcast Elizabeth, Michael & Marlon, a 30min episode from the Sky Arts Urban Myths,” the statement said.
“This decision was taken in light of the concerns expressed by Michael Jackson’s immediate family. We set out to take a light-hearted look at reportedly true events & never intended to cause any offence. Joseph Fiennes fully supports our decision.”
It is believed comments from Michael Jackson’s 18-year-old daughter Paris, may have led to the shows axing.
Paris Jackson was outraged with the portrayal of her later father.
On January 12, Paris tweeted: “I’m so incredibly offended by it, as I’m sure plenty of people are as well, and it honestly makes me want to vomit.”
“@TheMJCast it angers me to see how obviously intentional it was for them to be this insulting, not just towards my father, but my godmother liz as well.”
“Where is the respect? they worked through blood sweat and tears for ages to create such profound and remarkable legacies. shameful portrayal,” Paris added.
Joseph took on the challenging role of MJ for the now-axed Urban Myths series.
The late King of Pop’s family are outraged with the actor.
Paris wasn’t the only family member upset with the show. The late pop star’s nephew, Taj Jackson, also explained that the show didn’t have his backing.
“Unfortunately, this is what my family has to deal with. No words could express the blatant disrespect,” the 43-year-old tweeted.
Joseph, the actor who played Michael’s character, 47, previously defended his decision to take on a “wonderful challenge” when news of the episode first broke last year.
“I felt this was a wonderful challenge, I read the script and it’s very funny,” he told AFPTV.
“It’s a satire, it’s just a 20-minute satire. It’s a sketch about a story that could have been a legend or could have been true. So we’ll see what the audience make of it.”
It seems the audience – and the King of Pop’s family – wasn’t pleased with the outcome.
