Joseph Fiennes To Play Michael Jackson While Stockard Channing Plays Elizabeth Taylor In New ‘9/11' Road Trip Comedy Show

Joseph Fiennes To Play MJ In Totally Bizarre Road Trip Show
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Joseph Fiennes and Stockard Channing have been cast as Michael Jackson and Elizabeth Taylor, in a Sky Arts comedy show about a road trip the duo allegedly took shortly after 9/11.

In September 2001, the duo apparently rented a car to travel to LA - with Marlon Brando in tow too - following a ban on all air travel in the US.

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Stockard and Joseph

A Vanity Fair article chronicled the tale, and Sky Arts are now set to make a new show based on the story, with Brian Cox (the actor, not professor) playing Brando.

Joseph recently shared his excitement ahead of filming, telling WENN: “I got the script the other day. It’s a challenge. It’s a comedy.”

While one of Elizabeth’s assistants later denied that she joined the pair for the trip, the film will still include her as a character.

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Elizabeth and Michael were good friends

“It’s a lovely thing about Michael’s relationship with Liz Taylor and Marlon Brando. It’s a fun, light-hearted tongue in cheek road trip of what celebrity of that kind is like. But also it’s rather beautiful and poignant about their relationships as well.”

Joseph's casting has angered many fans though, with a number questioning the film-makers' decision:

A Sky spokesperson has given a statement which offers more details on the show, telling HuffPost UK: “'Elizabeth, Michael & Marlon' is a Sky Arts comedy which takes a light-hearted look at a reportedly true event; Joseph Fiennes is cast as Michael Jackson.

"It is part of a series of comedies about unlikely stories from arts and cultural history. Sky Arts gives producers the creative freedom to cast roles as they wish, within the diversity framework which we have set."

There’s no word yet on when the show will arrive on our screens later in 2016.

Unlikely Celeb Pals
Melanie C and Jodie Harsh(01 of11)
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Melanie C and Jodie HarshUnlikeliness: This is, without a doubt, the most bizarre celeb friendship in the entire worldHow did it happen? Jodie is a DJ and produced Melanie C's album The Night Will they be BFFs? There seems to be A LOT of potential here. They are always tweeting eachother and just look how happy they are in this pic. Bless (credit:Twitter/Jodie Harsh)
Eminem and Sir Elton John(02 of11)
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Eminem and Sir Elton John
Unlikeliness: One is the angry bad boy of hip-hop and the other is the angry grandfather of piano pop. So likely and unlikely at the same time.
How did it happen? They first crossed paths when Elt was ticking Em off about some of his comments on homosexuality - but they struck up a friendship anyway and Sir Elton has supported Eminem in his battle to stay off prescription drugs.
Will they be BFFs? Probably not, Sir Elton has a habit of falling out with most celebs at one point or another.(credit: PA)
David Beckham and Snoop Dogg(03 of11)
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David Beckham and Snoop Dogg
Unlikeliness: One is a boy from Essex who became one of the world's most famous footballers, another is a drug-dealer turned rapper from the mean streets of Los Angeles. Not an obvious match.
How did it happen? Becks and Snoop have been best buds since they met backstage at Live8 in 2005. Dave is known to enjoy a bit of hip-hop and probably asked Snoop for his autograph.
Will they be BFFs? Well, Victoria was rumoured to disapprove but Dave has been giving Snoop's kids football lessons and Snoop reportedly taught him how to rap in return.(credit: PA)
Jay Z and Chris Martin(04 of11)
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Jay Z and Chris Martin
Unlikeliness: Jay Z is cool as a cucumber and known as the CEO of hip-hop, while Chris leads an English stadium rock band. So not very likely at all.
How did it happen? They met at a charity event in 2003, as Jay-Z explains: "We clicked right away and it was like we were instant best friends. He is a fantastic person, very passionate about what he does, and also very analytical and intelligent."
Will they be BFFs? Well Chris and Gwynnie's kids already call him "Uncle Jay", so it looks that way.(credit: PA)
Lance Armstrong and Matthew McConaughey(05 of11)
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Lance Armstrong and Matthew McConaughey
Unlikeliness: It's not that far-fetched for a sportsman and actor to be buddies, but these two Texas natives have got such a serious bromance going that they felt the need to tell the world they were not gay.
How did it happen? Lance said: "Our friendship just kind of developed. He got out of a relationship; I'd just gotten out of a relationship" and Matt added: "I'd do anything he asked me to, even though he'd probably never ask me to, and he feels the same way."
Will they be BFFs? Hell yeah!(credit: PA)
Liz Hurley and Pamela Anderson(06 of11)
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Liz Hurley and Pamela Anderson
Unlikeliness: We'd never have pegged posh English rose Liz and brash American pin-up Pammy as potential pals.
How did it happen? Legend has it that they met at an Oscars party a few years ago and hit it off instantly. Liz even helped fix the inevitable wardrobe malfunction that ensued from Pammy wearing that top.
Will they be BFFs?Disappointingly they haven't been snapped together out on the razz for ages, so regrettably it looks like the answer could be no.(credit: PA)
Mariella Frostrup and George Clooney(07 of11)
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Mariella Frostrup and George Clooney
Unlikeliness: Well you'd never have guessed if we hadn't told you (or you didn't already know).
How did it happen? Husky-voiced telly film critic-turned-agony aunt Mariella struck up a friendship with gorgeous George at the Cannes Film Festival years ago and regularly visit one another. She has always denied that they've ever been more than friends though.
Will they be BFFs? George is the "godfather" to her two kids, so they'd better be!(credit: Rex Features)
Mel Gibson and Britney Spears(08 of11)
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Mel Gibson and Britney Spears
Unlikeliness: Let's be honest, this has to be one of the weirdest celeb friendships of all time.
How did it happen? They are reported to have struck up a friendship when Britters was going through one of her bad patches - with Mel offering help and support in the form of personal chats and a stay at one of his holiday homes.
Will they be BFFs? If they've stayed in touch then they've been very secretive about it. We may never know.(credit: PA)
Natalie Cassidy and Nikki Grahame(09 of11)
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Natalie Cassidy and Nikki Grahame
Unlikeliness? A former EastEnders star and a former Big Brother contestant - it's not that unlikely really - but you're forgetting how incredibly annoying "Princess" Nikki is.
How did it happen? They could have met at one of hundreds of D-list celeb bashes.
Will they be BFFs? We'd love to think so, wouldn't you? No idea though, unfortunately.(credit: Rex Features)
Reese Witherspoon and Kate Winslet(10 of11)
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Reese Witherspoon and Kate Winslet
Unlikeliness: It's surprising we know, but genuine friendships between A-list actresses are rare as hen's teeth.
How did it happen? Reese tells it brilliantly: "Imagine my good fortune when Kate Winslet moved into my neighborhood, rang my door bell and said, 'Dahling Sam [Mendes] is off shooting, and I believe our children are the same age. Could they possibly have a play date and oh, by the way, it's almost 9 o'clock and I've had nothing to drink, do you have any wine?
Will they be BFFs? We really, really hope so.(credit: PA)
Willow Smith and Lady Gaga(11 of11)
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Willow Smith and Lady Gaga
Unlikeliness: Willow is a wholesome 10-year-old girl and Gaga is a decidedly unwholesome 24-year-old party animal - so highly unlikely.
How did it happen?We don't know if they first met there, but they were first spotted hanging out together at the Grammys - with Willow sitting on Gaga's lap.
Will they be BFFs?They are said by Willow's mum Jada Pinkett Smith to have a strong "affinity" for one another - so we can imagine them swapping wardrobe and hair whippin' tips for years to come.(credit: WireImage)