Queen guitarist Brian May is sharing an update on the Freddie Mercury film project.
In July, it was revealed that actor Sacha Baron Cohen would not be playing the part of the late Queen singer.
“It’s quite difficult to talk about,” May tells Classic Rock, “because we owe Sacha a lot. He had so much enthusiasm for the project and it really helped us kick it into the start position. But in the end we felt that his presence in the movie would be very distracting.”
“What led us to that conclusion was the last three movies that he’s made – The Dictator, Les Miserables and Hugo – in which he makes outstanding performances, but they’re very much Sacha Baron Cohen performances,” continued May. “And we thought there has to be no distraction in the Freddie movie. You have to really suspend that disbelief – the man who plays Freddie, you have to really believe is Freddie. And we didn’t that could really happen with Sacha. That’s not any criticism of his talent whatsoever, it’s just a feeling that it was not going to work – that the pieces didn’t fit together anymore. But we parted company on very good terms.”
May says that a replacement for Cohen is already in the frame. “I can’t really say who it is, but I think we’re close. We’re in good shape.”
The Mercury film will reportedly focus on 1980s-era Queen, leading up to the band’s appearance at Live Aid in 1985 – considered one of the greatest rock performances in history.
One of rock’s all-time greatest voices and frontmen, Mercury passed away in 1991 from complications arising from AIDS.
The project has the cooperation of Mercury's estate and the three surviving members of Queen. May and drummer Roger Taylor will oversee the musical content of the film, which will feature both original Queen music and Mercury solo material.
See also:
Queen: Roger Taylor to release new album and solo catalog
Queen: Freddie Mercury documentary earns Emmy nomination
Queen guitarist hints at new album with unreleased Freddie Mercury tracks
Queen: Schools Will Rock You comes to North America
Queen team with Angry Birds for Freddie For A Day 2013
Queen announce AIDS Benefit in support of The Mercury Phoenix Trust
VIDEO: Queen preview Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert DVD
Queen guitarist Brian May undergoes knee replacement surgery
Queen drummer finishes first solo album in 15 years
Queen: Freddie Mercury’s duets with Michael Jackson to be released
Queen: Sacha Baron Cohen quits Freddie Mercury biopic
Queen: Freddie Mercury gorilla returns to Norwich after facelift
Queen: Freddie Mercury gorilla art update
Queen guitarist enters Freddie Mercury gorilla art controversy
Queen: Freddie Mercury gorilla art removed over copyright issues
Queen: Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert reissue due this fall
Queen: Limited-edition Icon collection due next week
Queen guitarist slams The Voice
Queen: The Queen Chronology book now available
“Queen On Fire: Live At The Bowl” DVD reissue due next month
Black Sabbath and Queen guitarists discuss possible collaboration
Queen musical We Will Rock You to launch North American tour
Queen honored with PRS For Music Heritage Award
Black Sabbath and Queen guitarists to team up for album
Queen: Live At Wembley Stadium 25th anniversary edition reissue coming
Queen: New owner reveals plans for Freddie Mercury’s Rolls Royce
Queen: Freddie Mercury’s Rolls Royce sets record at auction
Queen: Freddie Mercury’s 1974 Rolls Royce up for auction
Queen releases 40 Years Of Queen ebook
Rock News Artist Of The Year #10: QUEEN
Queen announce Queen Extravaganza North American tour
Queen drummer Roger Taylor to release solo album
Queen provide update on Freddie Mercury film
Hungarian Rhapsody: Queen Live In Budapest DVD due next month
Led Zeppelin, Queen & Iron Maiden members rock Sunflower Jam
Queen’s Freddie Mercury becomes an Angry Bird
VIDEO: Queen rock the Olympics finale
Queen: Bohemian Rhapsody voted UK’s favorite #1 single
Freddie Mercury: The Great Pretender coming to DVD this fall
VIDEO: Queen + Adam Lambert – Watch complete Kiev concert
VIDEO: The Queen Extravaganza opens tour in Quebec City
Freddie Mercury to appear in Queen show next week
Queen and Adam Lambert announce third London show
VIDEO: Queen rock second night of American Idol
VIDEO: American Idol’s Top 6 perform Queen classics
VIDEO: Queen rock American Idol
VIDEO: Queen Extravaganza promo
Queen returning to rock American Idol
Queen to play four shows with Adam Lambert
Queen top UK’s best-selling albums of all time
VIRAL VIDEO: Drunken man sings Queen classic in police cruiser
VIDEO: Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody featured in new TV commercial
VIDEO: Blue Oyster Cult guitarist covers Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody by himself
