Sacha Baron Cohen has rejoined the upcoming Freddie Mercury biopic.
The comedian, who previously exited the project after reportedly falling out with the remaining members of Queen, will now help to write, produce and direct the movie, as well as taking the lead role.
Music Week reports that the band's manager of 40 years, Jim Beach, announced Baron Cohen's re-appointment at the Artist and Manager Awards 2015 last night (March 26).
Skyfall actor Ben Whishaw had been singled out by Queen drummer Roger Taylor as a preferred replacement for Baron Cohen back in 2013.
The band also expressed concerns that the comedian's involvement would turn the project, based on the late singer's life, into "a joke".
source: link
According to Brian the "announcement" was a joke by Jim Beach. See the info below from Brians Soapbox dated 3-28-15:
**Sat 28 Mar 15**
VERY INTERESTING THURSDAY EVENING
Direct link
We had a very interesting Thursday evening.
Our illustrious manager, Jim Beach, was to receive an award from the Music Manager’s Forum (MMF) - the Peter Grant award for outstanding achievement in managerial skills. Very well deserved, we thought, and Roger and I turned up to proudly present him with his silver trophy, the top-of-the-bill event of the night.
I actually presented the very first of these awards, to Peter Grant himself, way back in 1999, and thereafter the award was named after him, so it was nice to make the full circle, and present to our own brilliant manager.
There’s a report of the evening here, link ... ger/061326
but it doesn’t mention a small joke that Jim threw in during his acceptance speech. He said that, in response to enquiries about the progress on the Freddie feature film, that Sacha Baron Cohen had been re-engaged to write, produce, and direct the film, as well as starring in all four major roles ! I’m afraid some folks might have taken it seriously !
But the evening went very well, including some nice live performances.
Cheers
Bri
So annoying. I was happy to read the project was on again and now this... It would be nice if they could clarify the confusion and say what is really happening. I bet Ben Wishaw loved it, too.