Rami Malek shared some insight into his portrayal of Queen icon Freddie Mercury in the upcoming biopic, “Bohemian Rhapsody”, during a September 4 appearance on ABC-TV’s Jimmy Kimmel Live.
Directed by Dexter Fletcher and due in cinemas worldwide on November 2, the film follows the group from their creation in 1970 to the band’s legendary 1985 performance at Live Aid – which Malek explains, was filmed during the first few days of the project.
"We shot the most iconic performance in rock history - Queen playing at Live Aid - on day one," Malek told Kimmel. “Our first shot was the four of us coming out onto Wembley Stadium stage as the members of Queen."
The actor was selected for the lead role by Queen guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor who, Malek says, were often on set to help oversee the production; it was their support that gave him additional confidence about bringing the late singer’s life to the big screen.
"The greatest honor, I think, from playing someone like Freddie Mercury,” explains Malek, “is getting the acceptance of [his] legendary bandmates."
Mercury passed away in 1991 at the age of 45 due to complications from AIDS.
This past weekend, Queen and Adam Lambert opened a 10-show residency in Las Vegas; billed as “The Crown Jewels”, the band kicked off the limited engagement at the Park Theater at the Park MGM with a 22-song set spanning the legendary UK group’s career.
See also:
VIDEO: Queen and Adam Lambert open Crown Jewels residency in Las Vegas
VIDEO: Queen release full trailer for Bohemian Rhapsody biopic
VIDEO: Queen and Adam Lambert open European tour in Lisbon
VIDEO: Queen stream trailer for Bohemian Rhapsody biopic
Search Queen at hennemusic
