Freddie Mercury Biopic Continues With Ben Whishaw As Lead

The Freddie Mercury biopic is finally coming to fruition, but it just might not be the one we initially expected. Under development for years with the likes of Sacha Baron Cohen attached, the film came to a halt when Cohen and the remaining members of Queen couldn’t agree on creative terms.

Now, Brian May and co. have found their leading man who seems to be open and ready to take on the iconic role of Freddie Mercury. Actor Ben Whishaw, known for being one of six actors that played Bob Dylan in I’m Not There, will step into huge shoes when he plays the Queen frontman Freddie Mercury.

According to Deadline, Whishaw is confirmed for the lead role with director Dexter Fletcher locked to direct. Fletcher has previously directed the Proclaimers musical Sunshine on Leith. So far, the biopic is yet to be titled.

After Cohen left the long awaited film, Queen guitarist, Brian May, said that he wanted actor Ben Whishaw to step into the role. The biopic is said to be about Mercury and Queen’s formation, instead of centering around Mercury’s personal life and his controversial death.

Also, it was said that Sacha Baron Cohen dropped out due to creative differences, but Brian May told Mandrake otherwise. “I think that he would have been very distracting.That’s the conclusion we came to.” As for the new lead Whishaw, May had said back in October, “We’ve been talking to Ben and we’re very keen and last time we spoke he was very keen.”

The biopic is said to be written by Peter Morgan, who wrote the screenplay for The Queen, and is produced by GK Films’ Graham King and Tim Headington. The latter produced Martin Scorsese’s award winning animated children’s film Hugo.

Do you think Ben Whishaw is a better choice to play Freddie Mercury?