Sacha Baron Cohen quits Freddie Mercury film

The comic actor reportedly quit the biopic due to creative differences with the band ‘Queen'

08:48 24 July 2013

Sacha Baron Cohen has quit the production of the Freddie Mercury film due to “creative differences” with the remaining members of the band ‘Queen’. Based on reports, the band wanted to make a family-friendly film. However, the comedian wanted the movie to be “a gritty R-rated tell-all centred around the gifted gay singer.”

Cohen had previously expressed his interest in playing the role in 2011. He brought in Peter Morgan, the Oscar-winning screenwriter of The Queen and lined up filmmakers of the calibre of Tom Hooper or David Fincher as potential director.
   
The movie is based on the real life story of Freddie Mercury.

Sacha Baron Cohen shot to fame in 2002 for his movie Ali G Indahouse. He is also the star of the films Borat and Bruno, which were both hugely successful at the international box office.