Sacha Baron Cohen will write, direct, and star in Freddie Mercury biopic

[That 70s Guy]

consequenceofsound.net

On-again, off-again project is back on after Cohen settles his differences with surviving members of Queen

An on-again, off-again Freddie Mercury biopic starring Sacha Baron Cohen appears to be on again. Last year, it was reported that Cohen had left the project due to disagreements with the surviving members of Queen over the film’s direction and tone. Now, though, Queen manager Jim Beach has revealed that Cohen is back on board with the project, and not only will he depict the legendary singer, he’s also writing and directing the film himself.

“You have probably followed the saga of the famous Queen-Freddie Mercury biopic which has been developing in Hollywood for the last seven years,” Beach said during a speech at the Artist and Manager Awards this week. “An important breakthrough is that we have now managed to persuade Sacha Baron Cohen to write, produce and direct this movie, and he has also agreed to star.”

Beach did not discuss a timetable for the project. However, according to IMDB, Cohen has nothing scheduled once he’s done filming a new comedy called Grimsby, so presumably production could begin as soon as this year.

 

[Soot and Stars]

I can't wait! He's got the look and physicality imo! My favorite dramatic performances come from comedians like Robin Williams, Jim Carrey, Adam Sandler, Jack Black, Will Ferrell, etc. playing against type. Also the fact hat he has so many roles creating this means a solid vision and passion project which could make it pretty powerful!

 

[That 70s Guy]

It turns out that Borat will not being playing Freddie Mercury after all.

It was reported yesterday that Sacha Baron Cohen was re-cast as the star of the film about the life of the late Queen frontman, but guitarist Brian May says that announcement was merely an off-handed joke.

According to May, Queen manager Jim Beach, “in response to inquiries about the progress on the Freddie feature film at an awards ceremony, declared that Sacha Baron Cohen had been re-engaged to write, produce, and direct the film, as well as starring in all four major roles! I’m afraid some folks might have taken it seriously!”

(Whoops!)

Cohen left the project in 2013 after clashing with the producers, which include the surviving members of the band, over the direction of the film. It was reported at the time that Cohen was “more interested in an R-rated graphic film that delved into Mercury’s homosexuality” while the producers were looking to create a sanitized version. Drummer Roger Taylor said that Cohen would have turned it into “a joke,” while guitarist Brian May said that Cohen’s star power would have been difficult to overcome. “You have to really suspend that disbelief,” he said. “The man who plays Freddie, you have to really believe is Freddie.”

Several months after Cohen’s departure in July 2013, Ben Whishaw was recruited to play Mercury, with Dexter Fletcher getting the nod as director. However, Fletcher walked away in March 2014, citing the traditional “creative differences.” There had been little movement on the film since.


Read More: UPDATED: Sacha Baron Cohen NOT Rejoining Freddie Mercury Biopic | UPDATED: Sacha Baron Cohen NOT Rejoining Freddie Mercury Biopic

 

[Sharp Dressed Man]

According to May, Queen manager Jim Beach, “in response to inquiries about the progress on the Freddie feature film at an awards ceremony, declared that Sacha Baron Cohen had been re-engaged to write, produce, and direct the film, as well as starring in all four major roles! I’m afraid some folks might have taken it seriously!”

Just another example of a classic problem that has become even worse in the digital age. People don't pay attention. You tell them something, they only hear half of it. You send them an e-mail, they read the headline and bits and parts of the rest.

 

[Slim Slow Slider]

Apart from the fact you stick a moustache on the guy and I suppose he looks a bit like Freddie, I don't myself understand why you'd cast a guy who makes a living producing movies about fictional parody-comedy characters, and offending everyone - I mean he maybe a great actor, to be fair I've really no idea because the only things I've ever seen him in he's just played a buffoon, and I'd have thought a portrait of Freddie, especially when they get to the scenes where the AIDS kicked in, has to be played 100% straight, so I'd be a bit nervous about giving him total artistic/script control over this project if it ever happens.

 

[Soot and Stars]

Apart from the fact you stick a moustache on the guy and I suppose he looks a bit like Freddie, I don't myself understand why you'd cast a guy who makes a living producing movies about fictional parody-comedy characters, and offending everyone - I mean he maybe a great actor, to be fair I've really no idea because the only things I've ever seen him in he's just played a buffoon, and I'd have thought a portrait of Freddie, especially when they get to the scenes where the AIDS kicked in, has to be played 100% straight, so I'd be a bit nervous about giving him total artistic/script control over this project if it ever happens.

He's had a handful of dramatic roles he handled very well SSS. Honestly though, I think comedic actors play into drama very well. There's something that links funny people to relate to drama, depression, pain and such. Robin Williams was the first to envoke this reality in my period of watching cinema but after him many have followed successfully as well.

 

[Slim Slow Slider]

He's had a handful of dramatic roles he handled very well SSS. Honestly though, I think comedic actors play into drama very well. There's something that links funny people to relate to drama, depression, pain and such. Robin Williams was the first to envoke this reality in my period of watching cinema but after him many have followed successfully as well.

Yeah Sooty I know what you mean, but what I'm saying is that it seems he's become the obvious choice simply because he bears some physical resemblance to Mercury - if Sacha Baron Cohen was a dead ringer for, I dunno, let's say John Travolta, or Bruce Willis, would they be considering him to make a bio-pic about Freddie Mercury? I say you audition the best actors, and then you pick the right guy for the job based on his portrayal in the audition and the sensitivity he brings to the role, even if it's a totally unknown actor, bearing a physical resemblance for me isn't anywhere near enough of a reason, you get the best actor for the job, and then you let the makeup department worry about how convincing it is physically. I mean like I said, Cohen maybe a good choice, but every time I see a story about this project it's like he's the only choice simply because he'd apparently look great in a leotard singing 'We Are The Champions'

 

[Soot and Stars]

Yeah Sooty I know what you mean, but what I'm saying is that it seems he's become the obvious choice simply because he bears some physical resemblance to Mercury - if Sacha Baron Cohen was a dead ringer for, I dunno, let's say John Travolta, or Bruce Willis, would they be considering him to make a bio-pic about Freddie Mercury? I say you audition the best actors, and then you pick the right guy for the job based on his portrayal in the audition and the sensitivity he brings to the role, even if it's a totally unknown actor, bearing a physical resemblance for me isn't anywhere near enough of a reason, you get the best actor for the job, and then you let the makeup department worry about how convincing it is physically. I mean like I said, Cohen maybe a good choice, but every time I see a story about this project it's like he's the only choice simply because he'd apparently look great in a leotard singing 'We Are The Champions'

I get you clearly SSS if not even moreso now. The other reasoning I was on board with is just the overall mannerism and animated physicality I could see Sasha doing and the fact that he has already performed in a musical, "Sweeney Todd". Since the whole thing is a rumor it's all unfounded regardless at this point.

 

[Johnny-Too-Good]

I get the feeling with this project that Taylor and May basically want a kind of 'Tribute to Freddie' movie, and that is probably why they are struggling to get it off the ground. FFS I doubt even Freddie would want that. It will only retain credibility if it is telling the whole story.

 

[Mr. Bob Dobolina]

This story reminded me of something. Wasn't Mike Meyers supposed to play Keith Moon in a biopic? Whatever happened with that?