Queen’s Brian May Says Sacha Baron Cohen Lied About Freddie Mercury Biopic Dispute

Sacha Baron Cohen was slated to star in a Freddie Mercury biopic, but eventually left the project. In a recent interview with Howard Stern, he talked about his creative differences with Queen, and specifically, Brian May. While Cohen wanted to make a movie focusing on Mercury’s “wild” life, he said the band weren’t interested in telling those stories and instead wanted to make a film about how Queen carried on after the singer died. In the interview, Cohen called May an “amazing musician” but “not a great movie producer.” May has now fired back in an interview with The Mail on Sunday, saying Cohen told “untruths” about Queen’s intentions with the film. “Why would he go away and say that we didn’t want to make a gritty film,” May asked. “Are we the kind of people who have ever ducked from the truth? I don’t think so.”

May said that the band had “nice times” working with Cohen before they parted ways. May also called him “an arse” and said it should be “apparent if you watch what he’s done recently” why the band decided Cohen wasn’t right for the role. “It wouldn’t suspend your disbelief,” he said. 

May revealed that they’ve nailed down a storyline for the film and are currently looking for a director. He also discussed who might play Mercury in the film. “We’re hoping Ben Whishaw will do it. He’s fabulous—a real actor.”

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