Dexter Fletcher exits Freddie Mercury biopic

Maybe this is even more of a sign that this shouldn't happen.

After Sacha Baron Cohen departed the Freddie Mercury biopic last year, we learned today that director Dexter Fletcher has also left the project. Cohen cited creative differences when he left the project and Fletcher has also cited creative differences as reason for his departure.
Cohen was replaced with Ben Whishaw (Skyfall) and although he is still attached at this point there is no telling how Sony and GK Films is going to move forward at this point. The surviving members of Queen basically hold all creative power at this point because they own the rights to the songs. Word had it when Cohen left that they wanted the project to be a PG-rated family movie about Queen and Mercury. Needless to say, Cohen said no way and it seems that Fletcher feels the same.

The project was set to start production this summer, so they will have to find a new director soon if they want it to start on schedule.

Ben Whishaw to play Freddie Mercury

It was rumored a while back that Ben Whishaw (Skyfall) was in the running to replace Sacha Baron Cohen in the Freddie Mercury biopic. We now have confirmation that Whishaw will indeed be portraying Mercury in the untitled biopic.
Dexter Fletcher has been confirmed to direct. The story is set to start in the 70's with the band's formation and ends around the time of the 1985 Live Aid concert set. Sacha Baron Cohen dropped out of the film after being attached for quite sometime due to creative differences with the remaining band members.

Ben Whishaw eyed for Freddie Mercury biopic

After the departure of Sacha Baron Cohen in the planned Freddie Mercury biopic the question has been who will step in and play Mercury. Well, Queen drummer Roger Taylor gave some insight on who the band wants to star in the movie.

Taylor stated that the band is hoping that 33-year old Ben Whishaw will step in and play Freddie Mercury. Whishaw previously played Q in Skyfall and had a role in Cloud Atlas. If he is cast he will be replacing Sacha Baron Cohen who departed in July due to creative differences with the band. Word was that Queen wanted to make the movie a PG-rated, family friendly movie and Cohen didn't see it that way. However, the band tells a different story claiming they felt Cohen would distract viewers from the movie due to the fact that his performances are so unique to him.


I still just don't want this to happen. I hope the whole project bombs out.