Rock biopics are tricky. Some are great, some are forgettable and that’s often because immortalizing an beloved icon that people grew up with can be hard to nail. But 20th Century Fox are certainly giving it a go with “Bohemian Rhapsody,” a rock biopic of the legendary theatrical rockers Queen with “Mr. Robot” star Rami Malek playing the legendary frontman Freddie Mercury. But drama has followed this film and the unlikeliest kind and nothing to do with controversy surrounding this rock group. What’s most eyebrow-raising about both the trailer and the press release sent by 20th Century Fox is its total lack of mention of a director.
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That’s because director Bryan Singer, known for “Superman Returns” and the “X-Men” franchise was fired from the film for his erratic behavior and going AWOL in the middle of production. Perhaps tellingly, Singer vanished during the height of the #MeToo/sexual allegation frenzy that toppled predators like Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey; Singer has long been accused of these types of charges, but has never been proven of any wrong doing. And the director has left the public eye and hasn’t been seen since (rumors swirled that the New York Times and the New Yorker, outlets that lead the #MeToo reporting were preparing stories about the filmmaker, but none appeared).
So, with Singer gone in the middle of production, actor-turned-director Dexter Fletcher actor turned director (“Eddie the Eagle,” “Sunshine on Leith“) stepped in to pinch hit. Fox would love to have this drama behind them and frankly, “Bohemian Rhapsody” looks like such a crowd pleaser, all the dramaturgy behind the film might be a thing of the past. Here’s the official synopsis:
Bohemian Rhapsody is a foot-stomping celebration of Queen, their music and their extraordinary lead singer Freddie Mercury, who defied stereotypes and shattered convention to become one of the most beloved entertainers on the planet. The film traces the meteoric rise of the band through their iconic songs and revolutionary sound, their near-implosion as Mercury’s lifestyle spirals out of control, and their triumphant reunion on the eve of Live Aid, where Mercury, facing a life-threatening illness, leads the band in one of the greatest performances in the history of rock music. In the process, cementing the legacy of a band that were always more like a family, and who continue to inspire outsiders, dreamers and music lovers to this day.
“Bohemian Rhapsody stars Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton, Gwilym Lee, Ben Hardy, Joseph Mazzello, Aiden Gillen, Tom Hollander, and Mike Myers and will rock you in theaters November 2. Watch the teaser trailer below and let us know what you think.