Friday, February 14, 2014

Johnny Flynn Set For Mercury Biopic

Actor/musician Johnny Flynn ("Song One") has been cast in the as yet Untitled Biopic about Queen front man Freddie Mercury reports the Daily Mail



Once rumored-Skyfall and The Hour actor Ben Whishaw is set to play Mercury in the film.  Flynn will play band drummer Roger Taylor

Sacha Baron Cohen was poised to play the singer but vacated the project over "creative differences" in July. Then 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 though  Dexter Fletcher will 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 Taylor will 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.

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