Maybe that's already old news, but just came across that article (source: Austrian Queen Fan Club Vienna).
So according to an Austrian radio interview (from 6.1.2012) with screenwriter Peter Morgan he has pulled out of the "Mercury" film project.
Interview can be read and heard here (in German): http://fm4.orf.at/stories/1692696/
Fom minute 11:15 to 15:27 Peter Morgan talks about film of Freddie Mercury.
Excerpt (German):
„Dafür habe ich das Drehbuch für den neuen James Bond sausen lassen. Ich steckte zu tief in der Mercury-Arbeit, aber letztlich wollte ich nicht zwischen einem ambitionierten Produzenten, einem sehr ambitionierten Regisseur, den überambitionierten Ex-Queen-Bandmitgliedern und dem genialen Sacha Baron Cohen, der Freddie spielen soll, zerrieben werden. Zuviele Wünsche und Vorstellungen, die unter einen Hut gebracht werden wollen. Also bin ich ausgestiegen.“
Attempt of translation (google & bing, so it may look strange):
"For the Mercury project I skipped the screenplay for the new James Bond. I stuck too deep in the Mercury-work, but ultimately I did not want being crushed between an ambitious producer, a very ambitious director, ambitious ex-Queen band members and the brilliant Sacha Baron Cohen. Too many wishes and ideas which had to be brought under one hat (reconciled). So I got out. "
KYA, Bernie
That's not a big surprise
The subject of the film needs a high degree of objectivity given the sensitivity of the issues involved
The remaining Queen members are too close to the subject to be unrestrained
My feeling is that BM might be the stumbiling block here, on his soapbox he can be erm...just a tad defensive
Given the trend now in movies to play up the gay aspect as seen in the recent films such as J Edgar and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, I think the film-makers would most likely want to capitalize on Freddie's sexuality to sell the film, and this may be the stumbling block between the band members and the film production side.
I would be glad if the film does not materialize.
I'm personally disappointed. Yes, I wouldn't want a sensationalist film that focuses too much on his sexuality (although it shouldn't be ignored), but at the same time, I would love to see a film about Freddie. Not only would it help enhance his fame in the US, but if done well, I think it could be really fun. We've had films about Ray Charles, Buddy Holly, John Lennon and Johnny Cash (among others), why not one about Freddie Mercury? :D
Doesn't surprise me either. Dr May has been too close to this project from day one. Freddie once said something along the lines "if there is ever going to be a book or a film about me, it should show both the good and the bad side". My feeling is that Peter Morgan was trying to do exactly that and Brian couldn't go along with such an approach. It's a shame, because Peter Morgan is a great scriptwriter and we have been waiting for this film for yeeeaaarrrrssss.
Let's not jump to conclusions against Brian on this. It's a bit presumptuous to do so. And even if Brian is heavily involved, so what. He knows Freddie better than we do
Does sound like Brian could be the main reason. I think we can all guess how over the top gay any film would make him out to be (and maybe they'd be close),
Films like this have to take on some of the worst parts of a persons personality and this film would be no different.
Glad it's binned.
k-m wrote: "It's a shame, because Peter Morgan is a great scriptwriter and we have been waiting for this film for yeeeaaarrrrssss."
I feel the same way. :D
The Flash Danny Project wrote: "A Freddie biopic is long overdue."
Completely agree, I would be quite annoyed if a Freddie biopic is never made, after one has been made about so many other artists.
Amazon wrote: I'm personally disappointed. Yes, I wouldn't want a sensationalist film that focuses too much on his sexuality (although it shouldn't be ignored), but at the same time, I would love to see a film about Freddie. Not only would it help enhance his fame in the US, but if done well, I think it could be really fun. We've had films about Ray Charles, Buddy Holly, John Lennon and Johnny Cash (among others), why not one about Freddie Mercury? :D
One announced for Bon Scott last year as well. In some useless trivia, yesterday was the anniversary of Bon Scott's death. I know this because it happens to be coincident to my son's birthday, so the date stuck when I read it years ago.
I'm disappointed as well. I would like to see this film get made, and made really well. Peter Morgan's past work was my assurance that this could be a serious film made at arm's length from those whose own interests might conflict with the sort of raw truth telling that can make these works worthwhile. If he is gone, and gone permanently, it's unclear what or if this film will be. The last known focus was Fred and band relationships leading up to the period of Live Aid which could have been really good. Maybe too raw or honest for the remaining members. Or maybe not. Total speculation.
GratefulFan wrote: "One announced for Bon Scott last year as well."
Really? That's incredible!
"In some useless trivia, yesterday was the anniversary of Bon Scott's death. I know this because it happens to be coincident to my son's birthday, so the date stuck when I read it years ago."
That's not so useless. We are fully aware of when Freddie died. Or maybe it is useless, which doesn't speak well of us. :D
"I'm disappointed as well. I would like to see this film get made, and made really well. Peter Morgan's past work was my assurance that this could be a serious film made at arm's length from those whose own interests might conflict with the sort of raw truth telling that can make these works worthwhile."
I completely agree. I have a lot of respect for Morgan (Frost/Nixon was superb), and so this news really disappoints me.
"If he is gone, and gone permanently, it's unclear what or if this film will be. The last known focus was Fred and band relationships leading up to the period of Live Aid which could have been really good. Maybe too raw or honest for the remaining members. Or maybe not. Total speculation."
I think you're right.
Ugh, I've been trying to follow this project for a while now, and it seems like I've been more excited about it than most fellow Queen fans. Brian and Roger are too heavily involved to make it disrespectful or in any way bad.
I'm having a really hard time keeping up on exactly what's going on. If they're really working on this, I think those guys are just stalling. I've gotten way too excited about this; I need to settle down a bit.
On an only slightly related note, The Dictator is looking like a pretty awesome movie :D