People are mad that a white dude is playing Michael Jackson in a TV Movie

Business Insider - Joseph Fiennes ("Shakespeare in Love") has been cast as Michael Jackson in an upcoming British TV movie about a supposed road trip the King of Pop embarked on with Elizabeth Taylor and Marlon Brando following the September 11 terrorist attacks, according to the Guardian. 

The film will feature Stockard Channing as Taylor and and Brian Cox as Brando.  

The story of this bizarre trip was first reported in the June 2011 issue of Vanity Fair. Jackson was in the city after performing two shows at Madison Square Garden, and he was joined by his two friends. According to the story, one of Jackson's former employees claims that since they were unable to secure a private jet, the three friends rented a car and made it as far as Ohio.

There are conflicting reports of the story, though. One of Taylor's friends and assistants insisted that the actress stayed in the city, went to a church to pray, and met with Ground Zero first responders.

News of the white, English Fiennes' casting as the late black pop star has caused an uproar on social media.

Charlie Hunnam can play Mexican-American Edgar Valdez & Joseph Fiennes can play Michael Jackosn, but Idris Elba can't play Bond?

— LaToya Allen (@HashtagLaToya) January 27, 2016

Oddly enough, it won’t be the first time I’ll see Joseph Fiennes portray a man of color. I saw him 20 years ago as Jesus in a London play.

— Jamil Smith (@JamilSmith) January 26, 2016

WTF? Joseph Fiennes is playing Michael Jackson? This is NOT the colorblind casting we meant, entertainment industry https://t.co/1EPpbC8jcO

— Dorothy Snarker (@dorothysnarker) January 26, 2016

The world's reaction to Joseph Fiennes, a British white actor, playing Michael Jackson... pic.twitter.com/AZJvVdabWC

— Ramon Bailey (@MrXecutive) January 27, 2016

I kind of understand where people are coming from here.  Michael Jackson is a pillar in the history of African-American entertainment and culture so to have some pasty bloke from England portraying the king of pop has to be somewhat of a slap in the face.  But the fact of the matter is it doesn't matter who you cast to play MJ because nobody on planet earth has every even remotely resembled looking like that guy.  Black.  White.  Male.  Female.  It  doesn't matter.  That's why this movie is going to be appointment television.  Watching this Adam Devine looking motherfucker

attempt to look, talk, sing, dance and behave like Michael Jackson is going to be hilarious.  Every single person who's every played MJ in a VH1 original movie has looked absolutely ridiculous doing so.  If I were a casting director I would just offer up the role to whoever was willing to get the most plastic surgery done in the shortest amount of time.  Doesn't matter if you're black or white.