Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Seeing double

Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody isn't due to be released until December next year, but we've already been treated to the first shot of Rami Malek in the lead role - and the resemblance is staggering. Now fan footage has emerged of the filming of Queen's legendary Live Aid performance scene. Sadly it's unavailable to view in this country due to copyright reasons, but the screenshot of a grinning Brian May in the background indicates his approval.

Sacha Baron Cohen was originally lined up for the role, but bailed out following disagreements with Mercury's remaining bandmates, who are working as executive producers. He told Howard Stern last year that part of his disgruntlement was with their determination to paint a sanitised, "PG-rated" picture of Mercury's life. As he said, this airbrushed portrait might be understandable, but it would (or will) almost certainly make the resulting film much less dramatically engaging.

Meanwhile, this December we can look forward to seeing The Disaster Artist, a film about the making of the cult classic The Room which stars James Franco in the role of Tommy Wiseau. On the evidence of the trailer, it's going to be very good indeed.

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