Sacha Baron Cohen to Play Freddie Mercury in GK Film

EXCLUSIVE: Whether it's Marvin Gaye, Janis Joplin, Phil Spector or a host of others, enough announced music pics stall that it’s hard to find one worth worth getting excited about. Try this one: Sacha Baron Cohen has closed a deal to play Queen front man Freddie Mercury in a film that’s being scripted by Peter Morgan for a 2011 production start. The untitled film will be financed by GK Films partners Graham King and Tim Headington, who'll produce in partnership with Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal’s Tribeca Productions, and Queen Films. Morgan is already working on a script focused on the band’s formative years, leading up to Queen’s appearance at Live Aid in 1985. Queen’s performance is considered one of the rock's all-time great live concert appearances.

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I have I was disappointed it wasn't Johnny Depp or Joaquin phoenix but at least Cohen looks the part.


(above: The King of Queen Freddie Mercury)

The films is being penned by Peter Morgan who also done Frost/Nixon and The Queen both of which are very films and it would appear Peter Morgan has a nack for writing good films about real people.

He does look a lot like him but if it's not a comedy, or at least Sacha B.C trying to be funny, then I'll be disappionted

Originally Posted by ccllnply

He does look a lot like him but if it's not a comedy, or at least Sacha B.C trying to be funny, then I'll be disappionted

He's role in Sweeney Todd showed Cohen does have some versatility just shame they picked out the wrong actor from that film to play Freddie IMO.

Originally Posted by Freddie

He's role in Sweeney Todd showed Cohen does have some versatility just shame they picked out the wrong actor from that film to play Freddie IMO.

He probably does, but it'd be a shame to waste his comedy talent for this story in my opinion

I can't see Johnny Depp as Freddie, I think you are over reacting that they didn't pick him.

Freddie had a good sense of humour. I think the choice is pretty good.

I think he will be great as Freddy IMO. Hes the type of person that completely immerses himself in his character and I think he will do a great job because of that.

I have to second Kanaric on this. For it to be convincing it can't look like someone mimicing Mercuries style. He was, as many have claimed, one of the most energetic performers on stage, who ever portrays him needs to get that across in the roll. Sasha does have a knack for completely believing in the roll he takes.

And to show what he's up against, check out @ 5:50 75,000 people singing with him;

I can see him doing a great performance.

If people don't think he's capable they must understand that Cohen did his comedic roles of Da Ali G, Borat, and Brüno so well that even now people don't know that they are fake. It took me about a year for me to know that Borat was actually Cohen. My roommate brought his Da Ali G Show DVD and then I understood. So I think he is perfectly capable to take on the personality and character of Freddie Mercury. But will it work in the film? I don't know.

If Cohen can trick me in thinking Borat is... a real person, then I think that he can pull this off pretty well.

Cohen will pull this off. Also I had no idea a film was being made. Now I have quite a few things to look forward to!

This is good. Cohen is incredibly good at playing different personalities and a good match for Freddie.