Joseph Fiennes Talks Michael Jackson Role: 'He Was Closer To My Color'

Everyone on Twitter has an opinion about Joseph Fiennes (American Horror Story) playing Michael Jackson in an upcoming British TV production — including the actor himself.

But before we get to his latest comments, here's a refresher for those going "huh?" right now: A 2011 Vanity Fair article alleged that Jackson, Elizabeth Taylor and Marlon Brando road-tripped to Ohio — California was their intended destination — shortly after the 9/11 attacks. That story is now being retold in Elizabeth, Michael and Marlon, a "half-hour, one-off comedy" airing on the UK's Sky Arts, with Fiennes playing Jackson, Stockard Channing (The Good Wife) playing Taylor and Brian Cox (War & Peace) playing Brando.

"I'm a white, middle-class guy from London," Fiennes tells Entertainment Tonight. "I'm as shocked as you may be."

Many people were outraged over the idea of a white actor playing a black character, especially considering the current scandal with the Oscars' whitewashed pool of nominees, but Fiennes maintains that color shouldn't be an issue in this case: "[Jackson] definitely had an issue, a pigmentation issue, and that's something I do believe. He was probably closer to my color than his original color."

In addition to defending his casting, Fiennes is also defending the production, which he calls a "light, tongue-in-cheek look" at what could be merely an urban legend.

"It's kind of off the wall," Fiennes admits, "but the writing is a delight, and the kind of interaction between the three of them is funny, and also full of pathos. ... It's not in any way malicious. It's actually endearing."

There are currently no plans for Elizabeth, Michael and Marlon to air stateside.

Your thoughts on Fiennes' casting? Drop 'em in a comment below.