Sacha Baron Cohen Drops Out of Queen Biopic Due to Conflicts with the Band
Actor Sacha Baron Cohen was all set to play the late Freddie Mercury of Queen in an up coming biopic, but dropped out of the movie due to conflicts with the creative team and the remaining members of the band.
Cohen and writer, Peter Morgan wanted to portray Mercury and all of his struggles, ups and downs, and his homosexual lifestyle making the movie a rated R, but true to life portrayal. The members of Queen wanted a G rated, feel good story on the history of the band according to MSN.
The band was also not fond of the decision of Les Miserables director, Tom Hooper.
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"The pieces are all falling into place, though we are now on a slightly later schedule - filming is now scheduled to start in the spring, with Sacha Baron Cohen playing Freddie. The film should be ready for release early in 2014," said Queen guitarist Brian May on his website.
Producers of the film include: Graham King, Tim Headington, Robert De Niro, and Jane Rosenthal in partnership with Queen Films.
Now the film creators will have to find a new leading man and director.
The Queen biopic has been in development since 2010.
Queen is one of the biggest and most influential bands of all time. They started the band in 1970 and continued until his death from AIDS in 1991.
They are most known for their songs "We Will Rock You," "We Are the Champions," and "Bohemian Rhapsody."
They have 15 albums with most of them coming out in the 70s.
Other members of the band include May (lead guitar/vocals), Roger Taylor (drums/vocals), and John Deacon (bass guitar/vocals).
