Queen biopic starring Rami Malek suspended following director's absence
[Photo by: officialqueenmusicVerified/Instagram]
A personal health matter concerning Queen biopic director and producer, Bryan Singer, has “temporarily halted” production of Bohemian Rhapsody.
Read more: Here’s a first look at Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury in ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ biopic
Fox's full statement reads: “Twentieth Century Fox Film has temporarily halted production on Bohemian Rhapsody due to the unexpected unavailability of Bryan Singer.” According to The Hollywood Reporter, the crew received force majeure letters.
THR reports that Singer had not returned following the biopic's Thanksgiving break, and a representative for the director told the BBC his “unexpected unavailability” was due to “a personal health matter concerning Bryan and his family.” The producer hopes to return to the film shortly after the holidays.
The film about the legendary rock band stars actor Rami Malek as singer Freddie Mercury, and had been filming in England up until the hiatus. The Hollywood Reporter explains that the halt on Bohemian Rhapsody is just one more challenge the film has faced. Script and director changes, as well as the drop-out of original Freddie Mercury actor, Sacha Baron Cohen, has put strain on the production of the biopic, which is slated for a Dec. 25, 2018 release date.
As previously reported, the film chronicles Queen from 1970 to their performance at Live Aid in 1985—six years before Mercury passed away from complications from AIDS.
Malek explains that the film's story is focused more on honoring the musician, rather than focusing solely on the dark side of Freddie’s story—but the “dark Freddie story” will be honored.
Take a first peek at Malek as Mercury below:
Rami Malek is Freddie Mercury in this 'Bohemian Rhapsody' first look: https://t.co/MEBDvQymdB pic.twitter.com/z7N5OCWHuK
— Entertainment Weekly (@EW) September 6, 2017
