Mr. Robot's Rami Malek

Rami Malek

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Queen 'Bohemian Rhapsody' biopic: Is this just fantasy?

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Find out who is slotted to play the iconic Freddie Mercury in upcoming film that promises to "bring the Queen and Freddie story alive"
GRAMMYs
Jul 17, 2017 - 2:37 pm
GRAMMY.com

As the star of USA Network's "Mr. Robot," Rami Malek has taken America through a digital dystopia where multiple versions of reality coexist. Now that Queen have announced the band's long-awaited biopic, aptly titled Bohemian Rhapsody, they've also confirmed that Malek will take us through the mind-bending talents of Freddie Mercury.

Born a British citizen, Mercury was transplanted from Zanzibar, Tanzania, to Middlesex, England, at 17. From London he soon exposed the world to his personal richness of over-the-top expression — a singer/songwriter whose theatricality onstage earned him a seat at the table of rock's ultimate frontmen.

Malek is no stranger to reality-warping narrative, but one indication of how big a space he has to fill is outlined by the fact that GRAMMY nominee Adam Lambert has been touring with Queen on lead vocals. "We Are The Champions" (GRAMMY Hall Of Fame, 2009) is a perfect feeling to embody, and legions of anxious fans are hopeful that Malek will nail the role.

Director Bryan Singer (X-Men 2, "House," "Legion") has been tapped to bring Bohemian Rhapsody from fantasy to real life. The film, which is scheduled to begin pre-production this week, will also feature Queen band members Brian May and Roger Taylor serving as executive music producers.

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Rami Malek

Rami Malek

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Queen Biopic Update: Dexter Fletcher Takes Director's Chair

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Fletcher steps in for dismissed director Singer as filming is almost complete on the much awaited Christmas 2018 feature
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Dec 7, 2017 - 11:48 am

Filming will resume next week on the movie Bohemian Rhapsody, portraying the band Queen with "Mr. Robot"'s Rami Malek playing creative genius Freddie Mercury. It was reported Monday that just two weeks away from completion, the production had paused because of director Bryan Singer's unexpected unavailability. Late on Dec. 6 Variety revealed that actor/director Dexter Fletcher has stepped in as the new director, with filming to resume next week.

Fletcher was originally affiliated with the project and has previously directed Wild Bill (2011), Sunshine On Leith (2013) and Eddie The Eagle (2016). His acting credits include a lead in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998) alongside then still-emerging Jason Statham. His experiences as a child actor working on many productions helped him see his way to a career in directing, which will now include having Bohemian Rhapsody all wrapped up for the theaters by Christmas 2018.

"Bohemian Rhapsody is a passion project of mine," said previous director Bryan Singer. "This was not my decision, and it was beyond my control." While dealing with a parent's illness, Singer experienced health problems of his own and the studio ultimately decided the show had to go on without him.

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Freddie Mercury

Freddie Mercury

Photo: George Wilkes/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

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Queen, Freddie Mercury Biopic Filming Paused

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Fans of Queen's famous frontman hope a break in filming Hollywood biopic is only temporary
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Dec 4, 2017 - 11:08 am

(Editor's Note: Following yesterday's news regarding the delay of Bohemian Rhapsody, director Bryan Singer has been relieved of his duties on the project, according to a Variety report.)

Fans keeping an eye on the progress of the Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody expected to wait until December 2018 to see it, but director Bryan Singer's health has caused an unexpected break in filming, according to an NME report.

This summer's big news was Rami Malek's casting as Queen's late frontman Freddie Mercury. In addition, Ben Hardy will play Queen drummer Roger Taylor, Gwilym Lee stars as Brian May and Joe Mazzello will be bass guitarist John Deacon.

Movies run into all sorts of breaks in production and none of it necessarily matters when the final cut is assembled. Singer's representative described the delay as, "a personal health matter concerning Bryan and his family," so here is hoping the biopic will be back on track soon. No word on an updated release date yet.

Queen Biopic Casts 'Jurassic Park,' 'X-Men' Actors

Queen l-r May, Taylor, Deacon, and Mercury

Queen circa 1975

Photo: Chris Walter/WireImage

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Queen Biopic Casts 'Jurassic Park,' 'X-Men' Actors

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Upcoming 'Bohemian Rhapsody' feature announces Queen members to be played by Ben Hardy, Gwilym Lee and Joe Mazzello
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Aug 22, 2017 - 2:35 pm

Bryan Singer's forthcoming  Queen biopic, Bohemian Rhapsody, has announced who will play each of the band's memorable members, so here is a look at what makes the actors, and their roles, so special.

Last month's announcement that "Mr. Robot"'s Rami Malek will play Freddie Mercury paired these two talents, but rounding out the supporting cast of band sidemen seems like a job for a superhero. Thus, Singer has reached back to his work on X-Men: Apocalypse in casting Ben Hardy to play Queen's drummer, Roger Taylor.

Highly influential as both a drummer and as one of the band's songwriters, Taylor participated fully in bringing Queen's unique sound to life. Hardy has a big job ahead of him, but he is used to acting tasks which require wings — he played henchman-in-chief Archangel in Marvel's X Men: Apocalypse.

As a child, Joe Mazzello stared in 1993's Jurassic Park, running from dinosaurs. All grown now, he will be the one controlling the big thumping sounds as Queen's bassist John Deacon, who composed the thumping Queen classic "Another One Bites the Dust."

Guitarist Brian May not only has otherworldly musical abilities, but he is also an astrophysicist. British television audiences already have great expectations for the man cast to play May, Gwilym Lee. While this role is quite different from playing a Puritan settler in Jamestown, we are sure Lee will strive to conquer new frontiers in Bohemian Rhapsody as May, the guitar wizard who also works with NASA.

Shooting is scheduled to begin this fall, and while anticipation for the film mounts, we will have to wait until Christmas 2018 for the final product.

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Mick Jagger photographed circa 1987

Mick Jagger

Photo: Michael Putland/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Poll

Mick Jagger, Stevie Nicks, Axl Rose, Kurt Cobain: Most Iconic Classic Rock Singer | Poll

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Mirror, mirror on the wall, who has the most iconic classic rock voice of them all? Cast your vote in our poll
Tim McPhate
GRAMMYs
May 4, 2018 - 5:36 pm

"You need cooling, baby I'm not fooling." "Have you any dreams you'd like to sell?" "Welcome to the jungle, we've got fun and games." "I found it hard, it's hard to find. Oh well, whatever, never mind."

Sure enough, as these lyrics reverberate in your head, the first thing that probably comes to mind is the inimitable voices behind them. Indeed, the classic rock era — the mid-'60s to the late '80s, and now including the '90s — was littered with a variety of one-of-a-kind singers — instantly recognizable voices who breathed life into classic anthems spanning "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" to "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and beyond.

Polls

Which classic rock lead singer has the most iconic voice?

In the '60s, the Rolling Stones' Mick Jagger arguably set the template for the modern rock and roll frontman, commanding the stage and matching bandmate Keith Richards' meaty guitar riffs with his distinctive vocal delivery. Other iconic frontmen such as Roger Daltrey and Robert Plant put their own vocal stamps on classics by the Who and Led Zeppelin, respectively, perfectly complementing master six stringers Pete Townshend and Jimmy Page on songs like "My Generation" and "Whole Lotta Love."

With his operatic tenor, Freddie Mercury began his reign with Queen in the '70s, sprinkling magical vocals on top of songs such as "Bohemian Rapsody," "Another One Bites The Dust" and "We Will Rock You." Initially dismissed as a Jagger knockoff, Aerosmith's Steven Tyler ultimately proved his mettle with his inimitable blues-rock yowl, adding gravelly character to hits such as "Dream On," "Walk This Way" and "Sweet Emotion."

Ann Wilson brought intense dynamics to the Heart catalog, going from a whisper to 11 on "Crazy On You" and bringing fire and fury to the likes of "Barracuda." Meanwhile, Stevie Nicks' expressive, husky voice yielded a beautiful yet haunting dimension to Fleetwood Mac hits such as "Dreams," "Gold Dust Woman" and "Sara."

Perhaps the very definition of a soaring rock tenor, Steve Perry's voice gave Journey fans goosebumps whether presiding over infectious anthems such as "Don't Stop Believin'" or soft ballads like "Open Arms" and "Faithfully." Arguably the most volatile figure from the '80s L.A. rock scene, Guns N' Roses' Axl Rose slithered through multiple vocal personalities, evidenced by his patented screams on "Welcome To The Jungle" and laidback, heartfelt delivery on "Sweet Child O' Mine."

Speaking of volatility, the music of Seattle erupted in the early '90s. Leading the way were Nirvana, with Kurt Cobain whispering and seething on songs such as "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and showcasing a more dynamic vocal approach on quieter numbers like "Something In The Way." Armed with an astonishing voice, Soundgarden's Chris Cornell bridged the hard rock of the '80s and the unique sonic characteristics of grunge. His vocals spanned the sustained howls of "Rusty Cage" to the confessional delivery of "Black Hole Sun" and the hypnotic "Spoonman."

To quote Steve Perry, as far as classic rock vocalists, we could keep going "on and on and on and on." So, we want to know: Which classic rock lead singer has the most iconic voice? Cast your vote!

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