20th Century Fox has released new official photos from Bohemian Rhapsody starring Mr. Robot‘s Rami Malek. The film was among the batch of upcoming theatrical releases Fox was promoting at the 2018 CinemaCon in Las Vegas. Bryan Singer began production as the movie’s director but reportedly clashed with Malek on the set and eventually stopped showing up for work. Dexter Fletcher (Eddie the Eagle) took over and finished directing the project which delves into the world of Freddie Mercury and Queen, and apparently has the approval of Queen’s lead guitarist, Brian May.
“I’m thrilled with the way our Freddie film is shaping up. Much more than a documentary of someone’s life, it’s a piece of pure art, chiselled out of solid rock. It speaks of families and relationships and hopes and dreams, and heartache and disappointment, and ultimately of victory and fulfilment, in a way that everyone can connect to. It hasn’t been an easy journey – but all the most worthwhile journeys are like that! Rami and Lucy and the boys give monumental performances – more than worthy of the originals!!” – Brian May, per Fox.
In addition to Rami Malek, the cast includes Joseph Mazzello, Gwilym Lee, Aidan Gillen, Lucy Boynton, Ben Hardy, and Tom Hollander. Bohemian Rhapsody is set to open in theaters on November 2, 2018.
The film’s producer Graham King stated, “This film has been 8 years in the making but I truly believe that it’s been worth it, because I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished. The movie is a true celebration of Queen’s music and a tribute to one of the greatest frontmen of all time: Freddie Mercury. Breaking through stereotypes and expectations, Freddie dared to change everything – believing in himself and his music.
He and the band reached unparalleled success and Freddie became one of the most beloved entertainers on the planet, cementing a legacy that continues to this very day. Their music is played in sports arenas, countless films and commercials, and is heard reverberating around nearly every local bar and pub around the world. They inspire outsiders, dreamers and music lovers. And behind the music was a man who simply connected with people in a way only a handful of performers have ever done.
I’ve been lucky enough in my career to work with some of the greatest actors – Leonardo DiCaprio, Daniel Day-Lewis, just to name a few. But the performance of Rami as Freddie rates up there with some of the best I’ve ever seen.”
About Bohemian Rhapsody, Courtesy of Fox: “Bohemian Rhapsody is the story of how Freddie Mercury and his fellow band members Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon formed Queen – one of the most iconic rock groups of all time. The film follows Queen as they produce hit after hit, topping the charts while constantly evolving their sound. Through disparate songs like ‘Killer Queen,’ ‘Bohemian Rhapsody,’ ‘We Are the Champions,’ ‘We Will Rock You’ and countless others, the band reaches unparalleled success and Freddie becomes one of the most beloved entertainers on the planet.
Behind that veil of success, however, Freddie struggles to reconcile his duality. Forever trying to determine where he fits in the world as a Parsi immigrant from Zanzibar coming to terms with a sexuality even he can’t define in a culture bound by stereotypes and expectations. Freddie dares to defy them all but also pays a price. Lured into excess and surrounded by darker influences, Freddie shuns Queen in pursuit of his solo career. What becomes an attempt to redefine himself as a solo artist, ends in disappointment and further isolation.
Having suffered greatly without the collaboration of Brian, Roger and John – his rock’n’roll family – Freddie comes to terms with the realization that the magic of Queen and their success lies in all of them working together, challenging one another. Freddie manages to reunite with his bandmates just in time for Live Aid – the biggest concert in history. But fate and past behaviors throw a devastating obstacle at him, one that forces him to confront then accept his own mortality. Pulling himself up from personal strife one more time to overcome the odds, the band puts on one of the greatest performances in the history of rock music. Queen cements a legacy that continues to inspire outsiders, dreamers and music lovers to this day. On Freddie’s terms, not the rest of the world’s.”
