S.D.
09-19-2010, 10:35 AM
I read about this in a newspaper yesterday, but I can't remember which one it was, so here's Rolling Stone's report on the story. Apparently, in association with members of Queen themselves, Sacha Baron Cohen of Ali G, Borat and Bruno fame, will star as Freddie Mercury in a forthcoming biopic, set to go into production in 2011.
http://www.rollingstone.com/files/content/mounts/sambamount/images/MUSIC/STORIES/2010-2/2010_09/205562_cohen_mercury.jpg
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/17386/205562
"The as-yet-untitled film will track Mercury's career from the beginnings of Queen to their performance at the 1985 Live Aid concert at Wembley Stadium. (Deadline reports (http://www.deadline.com/2010/09/exclusive-sacha-baron-cohen-set-to-play-queen-singer-freddie-mercury-in-gk-film/) that Mercury's final years and AIDS-related death in 1991 won't be part of the film.) No director has been hired yet, but the script will be written by Peter Morgan, who scripted the acclaimed Frost/Nixon and The Last King of Scotland. Queen's site (http://www.queenonline.com/news/1820/) and GK Films, which won the rights to use Queen's music, and say that the film will start production in 2011. It's unknown whether Cohen will attempt to replicate Mercury's vocals or if the original tracks will be used. "Queen is one of the greatest rock bands of all time, and a music brand all unto itself," GK Films' 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."
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I think this could be rather inspired casting actually. Of course there is some notable physical similarity between the two men, but that's definitely not enough to carry a film about a character like Mercury alone (looks sternly at The Doors and Oliver Stone). With that in mind, I think Cohen will be able to undertake a non-comic acting role, and make it both respectful and intriguing.
I also hope that enough is done to really take a look at how Queen fitted into the arts world and the early Glam Rock scenes of the '70s, because they are under-appreciated in these genres, and sadly, despite it being some of their best work, it's the pre-1975 records that get overlooked the most.
I will be excited to see how this project develops...
http://www.rollingstone.com/files/content/mounts/sambamount/images/MUSIC/STORIES/2010-2/2010_09/205562_cohen_mercury.jpg
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/17386/205562
"The as-yet-untitled film will track Mercury's career from the beginnings of Queen to their performance at the 1985 Live Aid concert at Wembley Stadium. (Deadline reports (http://www.deadline.com/2010/09/exclusive-sacha-baron-cohen-set-to-play-queen-singer-freddie-mercury-in-gk-film/) that Mercury's final years and AIDS-related death in 1991 won't be part of the film.) No director has been hired yet, but the script will be written by Peter Morgan, who scripted the acclaimed Frost/Nixon and The Last King of Scotland. Queen's site (http://www.queenonline.com/news/1820/) and GK Films, which won the rights to use Queen's music, and say that the film will start production in 2011. It's unknown whether Cohen will attempt to replicate Mercury's vocals or if the original tracks will be used. "Queen is one of the greatest rock bands of all time, and a music brand all unto itself," GK Films' 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."
__________
I think this could be rather inspired casting actually. Of course there is some notable physical similarity between the two men, but that's definitely not enough to carry a film about a character like Mercury alone (looks sternly at The Doors and Oliver Stone). With that in mind, I think Cohen will be able to undertake a non-comic acting role, and make it both respectful and intriguing.
I also hope that enough is done to really take a look at how Queen fitted into the arts world and the early Glam Rock scenes of the '70s, because they are under-appreciated in these genres, and sadly, despite it being some of their best work, it's the pre-1975 records that get overlooked the most.
I will be excited to see how this project develops...