Whishaw Is Freddie Mercury For Biopic That Fletcher Directs

Once rumored--it's now confirmed via MTV that Skyfall and The Hour actor Ben Whishaw is set to star in the currently Untitled Biopic about Queen front man Freddie Mercury.

Sacha Baron Cohen was poised to play the singer but vacated the project over "creative differences" in July. Recently Daniel Radcliffe nixed the notion that he was offered the lead. "The Devil's Double" and "Captain America: The First Avenger" star Dominic Cooper was also mentioned as a possibility

Peter Morgan (The Queen) wrote the script which focuses on the band’s formation leading up to Queen’s appearance at Live Aid in 1985  which is considered one of the greatest live concert appearances of all-time. Stephen J. Rivele and Christopher Wilkinson did rewrites.

At one point "The Queen" helmer Stephen Frears was due to call action--Now we learn that Dexter Fletcher has also come onboard to direct the film. Fletcher has reportedly met with the band to get a good grasp on the story and the plan is to get the project up and running next year. Sony Pictures has first refusal rights on the project. The band's songs are included in the deal. Surviving band members Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor wwill oversee the music featured in the film.

Mercury’s death from complications with AIDS in 1991 and his last days won’t be chronicled in the film.

Graham King Tim Headington Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal will produce the film.