Queen are sharing an update on the forthcoming film about their late singer, Freddie Mercury.
“The movie is about to go. Yeah, we will be shooting in May,” guitarist Brian May tells VH1 Radio Networks. “At this point, Roger and I kinda step backwards because we have a great team to put the film together under the leadership of Graham King, who is, you know, probably the greatest independent producer in films. We will sort of let them do it and shoot it and hopefully it will be an interesting thing.”
“I’ve learned a lot about films in this process,” he continued. “What you discover is films don’t really tell history, films are an entertainment and so that’s an interesting journey to make. You realise that it cannot be absolutely true. What is the truth? The truth would be different for the people telling the story, but it will be a hell of an entertaining film I think.”
The biopic will star Ben Whishaw as Mercury as it tells the formative coming-of-age story of the group, culminating in Queen headlining Live Aid in 1985, where their performance is considered one of rock’s all-time great concert appearances.
Whishaw played Q in the 2012 James Bond film, “Skyfall”, appeared in “Cloud Atlas”, portrayed Keith Richards in a 2005 film about Rolling Stone Brian Jones titled “Stoned”, and was one of six actors who depicted a version of Bob Dylan in the 2007 movie “I'm Not There.”
The Mercury film project has been in the planning stages for years.
“It seems like the wheels grind slowly in the movie world,” commented drummer Roger Taylor. “I’m glad I’m a musician.”
Mercury died November 24, 1991, of complications from AIDS, and while his death helped to remove the stigma of AIDS sufferers prevalent at that time and particularly in the rock music industry, Mercury’s last days won’t be the subject of the film.
The project has the cooperation of Mercury's estate and the three surviving members of Queen; May and Taylor will oversee the musical content of the film, which will feature both original Queen music and Mercury solo material.
Queen and Adam Lambert announced a 19-date summer tour of North America last week, with shows set to begin June 19 in Chicago.
More details about the tour can be found here.
See also:
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Queen and Adam Lambert release full North American tour press conference video
VIDEO: Queen and Adam Lambert North American tour press conference
Queen and Adam Lambert looking forward to North American tour
Search Queen at hennemusic
