Bohemian Rhapsody (Freddie Mercury Biopic)

JP Liz V1 · 01-11-2013 3:24pm

Ben Whishaw latest name attached

Sleepy · 01-11-2013 3:30pm

losthorizon wrote: »

If its going to be a safe movie then it should not be done. Brian May tried to warn Mercury about his sexual lifestyle at one point as he had read about Aids and Freddie penned this response

Is that really true? Never heard that before!

Any suggestion of a good biography to read while waiting for the film?

delbertgrady · 02-11-2013 8:19am

Mark Blake's Is This the Real Life?: the Untold Story of Queen, is probably the best.
The worst - though it's probably long out of print - is Queen: As It Began, an official biography by Jacky Gunn and Jim Jenkins from twenty years ago. An incredibly badly written book that seems more interested in listing what format each single was released on than providing any insight other than the most innocuous anecdotes.
Back on topic, I think Ben Whishaw is a good choice.

chughes · 02-11-2013 3:43pm

I have Freddie Mercury The Definitive Biography by Lesley-Ann Jones.
It was published in 2011 by Hodder & Stoughton.
I'd recommend this book.

dark crystal · 10-12-2013 5:19pm

JP Liz V1 wrote: »

Ben Whishaw latest name attached

He's now been confirmed for the role, with Dexter Fletcher directing:

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/movies/news/a537082/ben-whishaw-to-play-freddie-mercury-in-biopic-dexter-fletcher-to-direct.html

Soft Falling Rain · 10-12-2013 7:07pm

Meh, don't get why Mercury's illness is being ignored, especially given that the man himself was quite open about what he was facing (in the songs he wrote at the very least).

Just goes to show that Queen the brand is to be the main priority of this film, rather than making an honest tribute to the man. I'd surprised if this film is in any way risky, which is gas because I doubt the band were choir boys in their "formative years".

JP Liz V1 · 11-12-2013 7:29pm

dark crystal wrote: »

He's now been confirmed for the role, with Dexter Fletcher directing:

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/movies/news/a537082/ben-whishaw-to-play-freddie-mercury-in-biopic-dexter-fletcher-to-direct.html

Not sure I approve of the fella from Press Gang as director

delbertgrady · 12-12-2013 11:12am

Well, I wouldn't dismiss him on the basis of his breakout role. His directorial debut, Wild Bill, was a decent enough little film, and the producers have evidently got faith in him tackling the material the way they want it. However, while I think the casting of Whishaw is excellent news, I'm concerned that it's going to be a ridiculously sanitised version of the story.

Skerries · 12-12-2013 4:26pm

JP Liz V1 wrote: »

Not sure I approve of the fella from Press Gang as director

dating yourself there Liz

Sleepy · 12-12-2013 5:42pm

It really does seem like they're going to waste the opportunity to do something interesting with this in favour of going with a sanitised puff piece doesn't it?

bnt · 09-03-2016 11:28pm

Sleepy wrote: »

It really does seem like they're going to waste the opportunity to do something interesting with this in favour of going with a sanitised puff piece doesn't it?

Well, Cohen says he left the project after clashing with one of the members of Queen over the film's direction:

A member of the band – I won’t say who – said: ‘You know, this is such a great movie because it’s got such an amazing thing that happens in the middle.’
And I go: ‘What happens in the middle of the movie?’ He goes: ‘You know, Freddie dies.’ ... I go: ‘What happens in the second half of the movie?’ He goes: ‘We see how the band carries on from strength to strength.’
I said: ‘Listen, not one person is going to see a movie where the lead character dies from Aids and then you see how the band carries on.’

Ben Gadot · 09-03-2016 11:30pm

Sacha Baron Cohen gave some interesting insights into his disagreements with the band on Howard Stern's show.

Apparently they wanted Freddie to die halfway through the film and for the remaining time to focus on how the band rises through the adversity of losing their singer. Christ.

john the one · 09-03-2016 11:32pm

I know this is an old thread but its a subject i have given thought to, I believe Eric Bana should be cast as Freddie. I think he would even be better than Baron Cohen.

Myrddin · 10-03-2016 9:37pm

Ben Gadot wrote: »

Sacha Baron Cohen gave some interesting insights into his disagreements with the band on Howard Stern's show.

Apparently they wanted Freddie to die halfway through the film and for the remaining time to focus on how the band rises through the adversity of losing their singer. Christ.

Sounds more fitting of a movie about Queen, not so much Freddie though. Can't say I blame Cohen if that indeed is true.

skimpydoo · 12-03-2016 1:20am

losthorizon wrote: »

If its going to be a safe movie then it should not be done. Brian May tried to warn Mercury about his sexual lifestyle at one point as he had read about Aids and Freddie penned this response

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgzGwKwLmgM

Not true as this song was written in 1979 and AIDS was first discovered in America in 1981.

Wedwood · 15-03-2016 12:33am

I adore Queen, but it ended when Freddie died.

Queen lasted about 20 years as a band, so making a movie where half of it is about what happened afterwards is daft and not what the fans want to see.

I'm afraid Cohen is right on this one.

DrumSteve · 15-03-2016 2:29pm

Had to be Roger Taylor who said that.

You cannot have a sanitized film about Freddie Mercury.

Mike Litoris · 15-03-2016 5:02pm

It's sad. It would make for one epic movie in the right hands.

Agree about Roger. He's mega protective about Freddie which is understandable but come on... The cabaret they've done the last 20 years ain't doing much for his legacy.

Walter H Price · 15-03-2016 5:03pm

This would be incredible , made my Tuesday

homerun_homer · 15-03-2016 5:34pm

I don't understand why Cohen still didn't do it, every other movie he's been the star of has been a heap of sh!te.

Ben Gadot · 19-03-2016 8:51am

homerun_homer wrote: »

I don't understand why Cohen still didn't do it, every other movie he's been the star of has been a heap of sh!te.

Cohen never struck me as desperate and he seems smart enough. Like if he wanted he could be the British Sandler and make hay while making **** every year.

So I'd say he knew, under the right conditions, playing Freddy Mercury could be nearly oscar worthy. But under the wrong conditions, it would do more harm than good to his career and duly walked away. Just look at Kutcher playing Steve Jobs as an illustration.

JP Liz V1 · 05-11-2016 1:59am

Bryan Singer to direct Mr. Robot actor Rami Malek the latest rumour

Heckler · 05-11-2016 11:20am

He could work as an earlier Freddie but not as a Wembley Mercury.

Not a big Queen fan but by god that concert was a master class in how to do it. He had the audience eating out of the palm of his hand. A genuine showman and a fantastic singer. Never seen any interviews with him but just an instantly likeable character. Amazing charisma.

Re the Cohen thing, Looks wise it would be a match. That doesn't translate to a good movie though. Dunno would he have the chops for it.

Ben Gadot · 05-11-2016 11:23am

Cohen would have been a revelation, sad they couldn't work it out. Freddy's story is one of the last that shoukd be sterilised.

Heckler · 05-11-2016 12:06pm

Agree with a story that should be told warts and all. As regards Cohen I wouldn't say he WOULD have been a revelation. He might have been but similar looking doesn't necessarily translate into a performance.

I'd rather see Freddie played convincley by someone whos not the image of him than someone who looks like him poorly.

Sad Professor · 06-11-2016 12:02pm

I don't think Malek or Singer are right for this. Based on what I've seen him in, Malek doesn't have the charisma. And Singer seems washed up these days.

Cohen would have been awesome.

john the one · 06-11-2016 3:54pm

Bryan Singer??? That's a strange one.

Why?

I have said it before and I'll say it again, Eric Bana would be great as Fred.

Mike Litoris · 06-11-2016 7:23pm

Sad Professor wrote: »

Cohen would have been awesome.

Whenever it comes out it could be a disaster. Given what happened with Cohen and Brian/Roger it sounds like a big chunk of it will be about them overcoming the loss. Plus when you think of the shíte they've done in recent years it doesn't bode well.

fryup · 08-11-2016 2:26pm

wonder who'll play his irish boyfriend??

fryup · 26-11-2016 12:22am

anyone catch the docu-drama on channel 5 the other night?

is that the biopic that was rumoured?

Mike Litoris · 26-11-2016 4:35pm

fryup wrote: »

anyone catch the docu-drama on channel 5 the other night?

is that the biopic that was rumoured?

Wait what? :eek:

Mike Litoris · 26-11-2016 4:38pm

It got panned.

If production values are anything to go by then, well.........

freddie-mercury-doc-ch5-3.jpg?w=620&h=413&crop=1

Conall Cernach · 26-11-2016 5:49pm

I thought the docudrama thing wasn't bad. The fella playing Freddie was pretty good despite the dodgy tash. The Brian May wig was laughable though.

Exeggcute · 27-11-2016 11:33pm

I caught the end of it and whatever faults in it were...how shall I say...it was just so damn upsetting the way he spent his final weeks/days that the story just grips you regardless of any production issues.

I thought the guy playing Freddie was quite good actually.

JP Liz V1 · 29-06-2017 11:25pm

EastEnders and X-Men Apocalypse actor Ben Hardy to play Roger Taylor

http://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/films/822765/Queen-Freddie-Mercury-movie-Roger-Taylor-EastEnders-X-Men-Ben-Hardy-Rami-Malek

PTH2009 · 29-06-2017 11:32pm

Here's that channel 5 doc

https://youtu.be/ssgapPLhWbY

Mike Litoris · 29-06-2017 11:58pm

JP Liz V1 wrote: »

EastEnders and X-Men Apocalypse actor Ben Hardy to play Roger Taylor

http://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/films/822765/Queen-Freddie-Mercury-movie-Roger-Taylor-EastEnders-X-Men-Ben-Hardy-Rami-Malek

It's just going from bad to worse.

He's shocking.

Ben Gadot · 30-06-2017 6:36am

By the numbers casting and very much a vanity one. You can tell just how much May and co have their finger on the pulse on this one.

PTH2009 · 30-06-2017 10:03am

Imo Sasha Baron Cohen would of been good in the role as Freddie. He's looks like him and can sing too

Ben Gadot · 30-06-2017 12:32pm

Rami Malek is meant to have talent vocally also but yeah Cohen would have been best for a no holds barred biopic on Mercury.

TherapyBoy · 30-06-2017 3:50pm

Sounds more like it's a Queen biopic (feat. Freddie Mercury). They could have kept control over the project & still made a great film about Freddie, Sacha Baron Cohen would have been perfect & given his all for it. I hope they don't mess it up.

JP Liz V1 · 05-09-2017 10:33pm

http://ew.com/movies/2017/09/05/rami-malek-freddie-mercury-bohemian-rhapsody

looks like him

expectationlost · 05-09-2017 11:47pm

re talk of ethnicity washing could they not have found a a goofy iranian indian with an amazing voice

06-09-2017 9:21am

Does anyone else think that photo looks heavily editted?

PTH2009 · 07-09-2017 11:46pm

I'm a music biopic nerd and please god I'll get too see this. Going to see Queen with Adam Lambert on vocals in November

I'd love too see biopics about these

Fleetwood Mac early days/ Stevie Nicks story
Kurt Cobain
Motley Crue The Dirt (rumours it's being made atm)
Guns n roses early days

JP Liz V1 · 08-09-2017 12:03am

PTH2009 wrote: »

I'm a music biopic nerd and please god I'll get too see this. Going to see Queen with Adam Lambert on vocals in November

I'd love too see biopics about these

Fleetwood Mac early days/ Stevie Nicks story
Kurt Cobain
Motley Crue The Dirt (rumours it's being made atm)
Guns n roses early days

Would love a Bruce Springsteen biopic which James Mangold is very interested in

PTH2009 · 08-09-2017 12:10am

JP Liz V1 wrote: »

Would love a Bruce Springsteen biopic which James Mangold is very interested in

Oh yesss that would be nice

His early career is a great storie

JP Liz V1 · 08-09-2017 12:22am

PTH2009 wrote: »

Oh yesss that would be nice

His early career is a great storie

Casey Affleck as Bruce

dazberry · 08-09-2017 9:00am

Brian May recently posted some stuff on his soap Box related to the movie, notably around a recreated Live Aid. He also posted the following...

... and then you realise that the covers are not the originals but recreations using the actors... wow!!

D.

08-09-2017 9:44am

Wow, Reimi Malek has absolutely transformed into the role.

Bohemian Rhapsody (Freddie Mercury Biopic)

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