Sacha Baron Cohen set to play Freddie Mercury in film about Queen

Sacha Baron Cohen has been picked to play the role of Queen lead singer Freddie Mercury in a film about the singer.

The new film, which is still untitled, is being written by acclaimed screenwriter Peter Morgan, whose previous work includes The Queen, The Last King of Scotland and the gripping documentary film Frost/Nixon.

Speaking on the BBC’s Hardtalk show, Queen guitarist Brian May said: "We have Sacha Baron Cohen, which will probably be a shock to a lot of people, but he's been talking with us for a long time."

The film is set to focus on the early career of Freddie Mercury’s life, leading up to the zenith of the band’s career with the performance at Live Aid in 1985.
Speaking about the film, May added that the band ‘will try and keep out of it as much as we can’.

Graham King, whose GK Films is developing the film with De Niro's Tribeca Productions, said: "Queen is one of the greatest rock bands of all time, and a music brand all unto itself.

"Freddie Mercury was an awe-inspiring performer, so with Sacha in the starring role, coupled with Peter's screenplay and the support of Queen, we have the perfect combination to tell the real story behind their success."

Production of the film will begin next year.