Sacha Baron Cohen to play Freddie Mercury in movie

[terrya]

This is excellent casting, imo.


Sacha Baron Cohen is set to play Freddie Mercury in an upcoming biopic about the former Queen front man's life, reports www.mirror.co.uk.

Johnny Depp was in talks last year to star in the film, but Baron Cohen reportedly won over producers and band members.

The film would cover the life of Mercury, who was born Farrokh Bulsara in Zanzibar. Mercury wrote many of the band's hits, including "Bohemian Rhapsody," which was voted Britain's best single of all time, beating out John Lennon's "Imagine." He was known for his distinctive voice and wide vocal range.

Mercury died at age 45 in 1991 of AIDS complications, one day after announcing he had the disease.


http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid45091.asp

[AllegroRondo]

1. Isnt he a lot taller than Freddie?

that could be a problem.

[geardaddy]

3. Wasn't Freddie like at least 6' tall? n/t

[Connonym]

2. Evidently his people say this isn't true

From Yahoo News "Sacha Baron Cohen will not play Freddie Mercury

05/08/2007 4:00 PM, Yahoo! Music
Dotmusic

Sacha Baron Cohen will not be taking on the role of Freddie Mercury in a big-screen adaptation of his life, it has been announced.

Last week, it was reported the comedian had agreed to take on the role of the Queen legend in a forthcoming biopic.

However, these claims have now been dismissed by a spokesman for Baron Cohen, who is said to have based aspects of the infamous Borat character on Mercury.

His publicist said the reports are "completely untrue" and "pure hokum," with Johnny Depp now thought to be back in the frame for the role."

[MonkeyFunk]

4. good news

I think Depp would be fantastic in the role.

But Baron-Cohen was some inspired thinking!

[Danger Mouse]

5. High five!

Oh wait...sigh...guess not...

[Dukkha]

6. i think the perfect Freddie Mercury would be

Eric McCormack

[Pacifist Patriot]

7. You know, I can kind of see that.