GK Films, Tribeca Productions, and Queen Films have combined efforts to film a biopic on the front man of Queen, Freddie Mercury. Peter Morgan is penning the screenplay which will focus on the formation of the band to Queen’s 1985 appearance at Live Aid. Not too surprisingly, Sacha Baron Cohen has been cast to play Freddie Mercury.
The biopic has secured the rights to a catalog of Queen’s songs, although, it’s not clear if Baron Cohen will be singing or if they’ll use Mercury’s vocals. Yes, Baron Cohen is capable of singing, but Mercury’s singing is hard to match. He was unique. Nevertheless, Sacha Baron Cohen looks remarkably like Freddie Mercury, and he does have acting chops.
“Queen is one of the greatest rock bands of all time, and a music brand all unto itself. Freddie Mercury was an awe-inspiring performer, so with Sacha in the starring role coupled with Peter’s screenplay and the support of Queen, we have the perfect combination to tell the real story behind their success.”
-Graham King of GK Films
Roger Taylor, Brian May, and John Deacon of Queen gave the okay for the licensing and music publishing rights for the first time for a movie about the band — and went as far as creating Queen Films to become a part of the production team. It’s strongly evident that they have faith in the film project. I’m entirely looking forward to the Freddie Mercury biopic.
Sacha Cohen playing Freddie Mercury… can’t wait to see it! I’m sure he will do Freddie justice.