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UPDATED: January 13, 2017 12:15 PM ET

Just days after the official trailer showcasing Joseph Fiennes as Michael Jackson in the UK series Urban Myths hit the internet, the series broadcaster issued a statement Friday confirming the episode’s cancellation following stark disapproval from the Jackson family, USA Today reports.

Sky Arts tweeted the decision was made “in light of the concerns expressed by Michael Jackson’s immediate family,” and noted Fiennes supported their decision. “We set out to make a light-hearted look at reportedly true events & never intended to cause any offense,” the company’s Twitter account read.

On Wednesday, Paris Jackson, the King of Pop’s 18-year-old daughter, didn’t mince words and tweeted her frustration over Fiennes’ depiction.

“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,” Jackson wrote Wednesday on Twitter.

Jackson’s nephew Taj Jackson also chimed in, voicing displeasure.

“Unfortunately, this is what my family has to deal with. No words could express the blatant disrespect,” he tweeted.

After Sky Arts’ announcement, Taj expressed relief over the decision to pull the episode via Twitter.

In an infamous 1993 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Jackson appeared offended at the notion of a White actor portraying him, after rumors surfaced that a White child would play him in a Pepsi commercial, the outlet reports.

“That’s the most ridiculous, horrifying story I’ve ever heard,” he said. “It’s crazy. Why would I want a white child to play me? I’m a black American. I am proud to be a black American. I am proud of my race. I am proud of who I am.”

SOURCE: USA Today


Joseph Fiennes Playing Michael Jackson In New TV Series Has The Internet Going Crazy

White actor Joseph Fiennes actually thought it would be appropriate to play a Black man – not just any Black man, but one of the most celebrated entertainers in history, Michael Jackson.

In a newly released trailer for Urban Myths, a UK series that aims to tell multiple “true-ish” stories of the famous, Fiennes appears as a direct creepy caricature of Jackson.

The episode tells the story of an urban myth that says Jackson, Elizabeth Taylor and Marlon Brando once rented a car together and drove from New York across country in the aftermath of 9/11.

The series will cover a variety of narratives, including short sketches based on stories surrounding Hitler and Bob Dylan, just to name a few.

Last year, when the story broke that Fiennes would take on the role of Jackson at the height of #OscarsSoWhite, the actor sat down with The Guardian and defended his decision: “I felt this was a wonderful challenge, I read the script and it’s very funny,” Fiennes said. “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 makes of it.”

The undefeated internet came for Fiennes in full force after the trailer’s release.

Watch the trailer above and try not to cringe.

SOURCE: The Guardian

SEE ALSO:

#TBT: Michael Jackson Told Oprah He Would Never Pick A White Person To Play Him

Michael Jackson’s “Off The Wall” To Be Rereleased With A New Spike Lee Documentary

Black Twitter Is Not Here For Joseph Fiennes’ ‘Unsettling’ Portrayal Of Michael Jackson
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