Still Successful Though…
Even the first choice for the lead didn’t work out — the show must still go on.
According to Queen drummer Roger Taylor via Associated Press interview why Sacha Baron Cohen, who was confirmed back in 2010 to be taking the lead role as Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody, but being let go from the production in 2013.
Cohen’s exit caused a buzz and different opinions of what possibly could happen to Bohemian Rhapsody. Despite Cohen and Queen didn’t meet personally — it was a major problem considering Queen had the final say over the script.
Here’s what Taylor has to say if Cohen’s antics would take over the lead role of the project.
“There was a lot of talk about Sacha and stuff. It was never really on,” the drummer explained of Cohen’s take on the role. “I don’t think he took it seriously enough — didn’t take Freddie seriously enough.”
Photo Source: The Blemish
Cohen also has to say during an interview with Howard Stern’s podcast The Howard Stern Sho back in 2016. The comic is far more interested in portraying the wild side of Mercury than his personal life and highlights of his career.
“There are amazing stories about Freddie Mercury,” Cohen told Stern. “The guy was wild. I mean, he was living an extreme lifestyle. There are stories of… little people with plates with cocaine on their heads walking around parties.”
Cohen was part of the project for six years before leaving, for a reason that he felt the movie was heading towards a wrong direction prompting him to leave.
“A member of the band – I won’t say who – said: “You know, this is such a great movie because it’s got such an amazing thing that happens in the middle.”
“And I go: “What happens in the middle of the movie?” He goes: “You know, Freddie dies.” … I go: “What happens in the second half of the movie?” He goes: “We see how the band carries on from strength to strength.”
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