Perhaps it was too good to be true. Over the weekend news emerged that Sacha Baron Cohen was to write, produce, direct and star in the forever developing Freddie Mercury biopic. It was a surprising turn of events for the once-attached actor, and while there was even a source quote from Queen’s manager Jim Beach made during the Artist & Management Awards, it turns out there has been a bit of a misunderstanding.
Addressing the issue on his website, Queen member Brian May chalked it all up to a joke gone awry: "[Reports don’t] mention a small joke that Jim threw in during his acceptance speech. He said that, in response to enquiries about the progress on the Freddie feature film, that Sacha Baron Cohen had been re-engaged to write, produce, and direct the film, as well as starring in all four major roles! I’m afraid some folks might have taken it seriously!"
So, unfortunately, move along, nothing to see here. I still thing Cohen is the best man for the job — at least when it comes to taking on the lead role. But for now, it’s back to the drawing board for the biopic.