As a producer Graham King has helped shepherd some of the best films of the last decade, from Gangs of New York and The Departed as part of his long-term collaboration with Martin Scorsese to gambles like Ben Affleck's The Town or the trippy animated Rango. This week sees the release of his latest film Hugo, another film he made with Martin Scorsese, and when I talked to him about Hugo yesterday he mentioned the films he's planning to make next year, among them a long-gestating Freddie Mercury biopic that he confirmed is still scheduled for next year.
Nothing is yet official, and ever a diplomatic producer King was careful to say that things can change, but as it stands he currently plans to make the film next year, and with Sacha Baron Cohen still planning to star. Here's what King had to say about the actor's credentials to play the legendary lead Queen lead singer:
Who better to play Freddie Mercury than Sacha Baron Cohen? You never know [if a film will actually come together] until it's done, but I'm hoping [he plays the part]. He's so talented, and you see a side to him in Hugo that no one had ever seen before. Very emotional, and very heartfelt.
When I talked to screenwriter Peter Morgan this time last year he was writing the Mercury biopic, but King didn't let me know if Morgan's script is still being used. In addition to the Freddie Mercury movie, King is also planning a reboot of the Tomb Raider franchise and an adaptation of the musical Jersey Boys-- he swears he can make all three happen at the same time, but there are plenty of other factors that can delay a movie. Still, if you were excited to see Baron Cohen take on a character as complicated and interesting as Mercury, have faith that Graham King is equally excited to get that movie made. And if you're skeptical that the guy who played Borat can pull off a believable dramatic performance as Mercury, see Hugo, in which Baron Cohen has a small but pivotal role that requires him to build a dynamic in a short period of time.
I'll have more from my interview with King later this week. Hugo come to theaters on Wednesday. link
"but I'm hoping [he plays the part]."
There's your proof.
This ain't gonna happen... ever.
Personally, I would prefer Cohen as Freddie Mercury, Tomb Raider.
Micrówave wrote: "but I'm hoping [he plays the part]."
There's your proof.
This ain't gonna happen... ever.
Personally, I would prefer Cohen as Freddie Mercury, Tomb Raider.
Good. Cohen's a douchebag
(i'm sure that's not the first time that's been said)
Fred's probably inimitable... but they oughta go with some credibility if this ever happens. ... Carrot Top, or the guy who played Gollum.... CGI him... lol...
Micrówave wrote: "but I'm hoping [he plays the part]."
There's your proof.
This ain't gonna happen... ever.
Personally, I would prefer Cohen as Freddie Mercury, Tomb Raider. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wait and see dude, wait and see.
As unpopular as it is to say this, I can't wait to see the finished product.
I do think it's kind of weird that the script ends with the Live Aid concert. That wraps it up with a nice albeit unrealistic Hollywood ending I guess.
Don't need to. I have common sense.
When you say the someone has "signed on to play Freddie Mercury" and later proclaim you "hope" he will play the part, that means HE HAS NOT SIGNED ON TO PLAY FREDDIE MERCURY.
So that project AND my project are in the same stages.
MINE: Brad Pitt as "Ivan" in my upcoming biopic about the Men Without Hats. Co-starring Christopher Walken as The Safety Dance.
Should be out next year.
Zebonka12 wrote: He should be played by Eddie Murphy because their names sound similar.
Actually... that's not a bad idea... Eddie's got a big smile... big teeth, and CAN SING!..
plus, i believe he was a FM fan. He dressed a lot like him as well.. (80's at least)...
Just get him in costume (something he likes to do)... and there ya go!!
LOL about the MEN WITHOUT HATS thing... i missed what was probably MY ONLY CHANCE to see them this september.... it slipped my mind with all the b.s. going on....
damn women...
Don't need to. I have common sense.
When you say the someone has "signed on to play Freddie Mercury" and later proclaim you "hope" he will play the part, that means HE HAS NOT SIGNED ON TO PLAY FREDDIE MERCURY.
So that project AND my project are in the same stages.
MINE: Brad Pitt as "Ivan" in my upcoming biopic about the Men Without Hats. Co-starring Christopher Walken as The Safety Dance.
Should be out next year.
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Christopher Walken is playing The Safety Dance? That's redickerous