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http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/movies/2010/09/17/2010-09-17_sacha_baron_cohen_inks_deal_to_play_queen_singer_freddie_mercury.html


Sacha Baron Cohen inks deal to play Queen singer Freddie Mercury
By Anthony Benigno
Daily News Writer

Originally Published:Friday, September 17th 2010, 11:14 AM
Updated: Friday, September 17th 2010, 1:07 PM


Gallay/Getty
Sacha Baron Cohen has finalized a deal to play Freddie Mercury
in a biopic of the band Queen.


He will rock you: British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen has finalized a deal to play Queen singer Freddie Mercury in an upcoming biopic, Deadline New York reports.

Peter Morgan, who wrote "Frost/Nixon" and "The Last King of Scotland," is reportedly working on a screenplay about the Queen frontman, who died of AIDS-related causes in 1991.

The film will also be the third time Cohen has played a homosexual character onscreen. He previously played a gay Formula One driver in "Talladega Nights," and 2009's "Bruno" was structured entirely around his flamboyant fashion guru character from "Da Ali G Show."

The film does not have a title, director or release date, but has a distributor – GK Films – and the backing of Queen's surviving members Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon. The trio previously licensed the group's songs for the stage production "We Will Rock You," but this will be the first time Queen's songs will be used in a movie about them.



According to Deadline, the film will reportedly span from Queen's formation to their performance at 1985's Live Aid. It will reportedly include renditions of the band's classic hits "Bohemian Rhapsody," "We Will Rock You," and "Another One Bites the Dust," but it is unconfirmed if Cohen will do the singing. The comedian previously showed off his pipes in 2007's "Sweeney Todd."

"Queen is one of the greatest rock bands of all time, and a music brand all unto itself," GK Films executive Graham King said in a statement. "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."

That's awesome news! That man has the face for it, but still has some big shoes to fill.

On a side note: They're also putting together a Janis Joplin movie as we speak!

Kruliosis wrote:That's awesome news! That man has the face for it, but still has some big shoes to fill.

On a side note: They're also putting together a Janis Joplin movie as we speak!

Is Sacha Cohen going to play Janis Joplin?

Wasn't he Borat?

fisherman bob wrote:

Kruliosis wrote:That's awesome news! That man has the face for it, but still has some big shoes to fill.

On a side note: They're also putting together a Janis Joplin movie as we speak!

Is Sacha Cohen going to play Janis Joplin?

He could

philbymon wrote:Wasn't he Borat?

yep

I also think he could pull it off.

Chaeya

OMG ... I hope not ...

Sans, I understand you. I was pissed when I heard that Tom Cruise had gotten the part of Lestat in Interview with at Vampire. But the bugger pulled it off.

I don't like Sasha's movies. I couldn't watch Borat, it was just too stupid for me, and I can do stupid up to a point, but I just couldn't get into it, nor the gay dude he played. I like him better in Madagascar. But I won't deny he's a good actor.

The real issue is whether the public can separate him from his "Borat" reputation to allow him to do something more dramatic.

Chaeya

Cohen's a powerful actor. Do you think Borat would have worked with anyone else? He's extremely talented and should do a good job.

It's one of the better cast music roles in recent memory. Kristen Stewart as Joan Jett? Twilight fangirls need to get out of the movie business.

Speaking of Twilight fangirls, Courtney Love wanted Robert Pattinson to play Kurt Cobain. I'm assuming it's so she can pretend she's married to him.


Anyway, Cohen's a fantastic actor and I think he'll do well.

also, if you haven't seen Sweeney Todd, I recommend it, he shows a different side in it.

Eh ... don't understand me so fast.

I was inferring that the " pull it off " reference has some Pee Wee Herman influence. ( was supposed to be dry humor )
Sorry for the fly by.

I generally don't give a damn about movies , actors, or any of the rest of that kind of thing.
Queen had a great sound.
Freddie was a waste of white, other than his vocal talents.

( You keep forgetting I'm an asshole )

Wow, George!


Nah, you are certainly entitled to your opinion. Personally, I was a huge fan of Freddie Mercury. I think he was brilliant, and his dedication to his craft was beyond compare.

Example: The man clearly had one the worst smiles ever, but refused to get his teeth fixed, because he was afraid it would affect his voice.

I didn't buy into his lifestyle (not my cup of tea, so to speak), but beyond that, he was amazing.

As for Cohen playing Mercury, well, I'm not a big Sacha fan. That being said, I was also distraught by the choice of Heath Ledger as the Joker. I'll keep the "Brokeback" jokes to myself and just freely admit that I was blown away. I truly wish he had lived-I would have loved to see where that character went. Just my thoughts on the subject.

fisherman bob wrote:

Kruliosis wrote:That's awesome news! That man has the face for it, but still has some big shoes to fill.

On a side note: They're also putting together a Janis Joplin movie as we speak!

Is Sacha Cohen going to play Janis Joplin?

You know Bob, I didn't catch her name but she definitely doesen't have me convinced looks-wise to be Janis. They picked this pretty, flawless girl. That sure as hell wasn't Joplin.

As far as Freddy goes, who could play a better role? I mean, look how f**k up his(Borat's) smile is!

Hey Joe, where you goin' with that saw in your hand?

Chaeya

sanshouheil wrote:( You keep forgetting I'm an asshole )

And you keep forgetting I can be an airhead. Splain it to me like I'm a two year old.

Chaeya