White British actor Joseph Fiennes plays Michael Jackson in a bizarre new show trailer

Here's how the legend goes: When the horrific terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 happened, three of the most famous people on the planet — Michael Jackson, Marlon Brando, and Elizabeth Taylor — who were all in New York City at the time because Jackson was performing at Madison Square Garden, jumped in a car (since all flights were grounded) and drove out of the city.

Though there are conflicting reports on if the event ever really took place, one story has it that the three drove as far as Ohio, stopping at fast food joints throughout the ride at the behest of Brando.

The events were supposed to be brought to the screen in the movie "Elizabeth, Michael & Marlon." The project grabbed even more attention when it was announced that white English actor Joseph Fiennes ("Shakespeare in Love") would be playing Jackson.

See photos of Michael Jackson through the years:

The first footage of Fiennes as Jackson (along with Brian Cox as Brando and Stockard Channing as Taylor) has been released, but the film idea has since been repackaged as one part of a UK TV show "Urban Myths." Regardless, it looks pretty hilarious, if very weird and uncomfortable to see Fiennes playing a legendary black singer.

The comedy series looks at "true...ish" stories like the Jackson, Brando, Taylor road trip, as well as Cary Grant's alleged love of LSD, and stories featuring Hitler, novelist Samuel Beckett, and Bob Dylan.

Watch the trailer below. It premieres on January 19 in the UK, and there is currently no US airdate.

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See photos of Joseph Fiennes:

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