Freddie film news was joke says May

By Martin Kielty
( Classic Rock )
published

Sacha Baron Cohen not returning to long-awaited project, Queen guitarist reports

Reports that Queen’s Freddie Mercury biopic was back on track with Sacha Baron Cohen leading the production are the result of a joke, guitarist Brian May has reported.

The band’s manager Jim Beach did say Cohen had returned to the project after departing in 2013. But his quotes at a manager’s convention on Thursday were meant in jest.

May says via his website: “Jim said that, in response to enquiries about progress on the Freddie film, that Sacha Baron Cohen had been re-engaged to write, produce and direct – as well as starring in all four major roles!

“I’m afraid some folks might have taken it seriously.”

Beach was present to accept an award from the Music Managers’ Forum, presented to him by May and bandmate Roger Taylor.

The media outlet that originally reported Beach’s comment has apologised. TeamRock News apologises to our readers for our inaccurate report.

Martin Kielty
Freelance Online News Contributor

Not only is one-time online news editor Martin an established rock journalist and drummer, but he’s also penned several books on music history, including SAHB Story: The Tale of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, a band he once managed, and the best-selling Apollo Memories about the history of the legendary and infamous Glasgow Apollo. Martin has written for Classic Rock and Prog and at one time had written more articles for Louder than anyone else (we think he's second now). He’s appeared on TV and when not delving intro all things music, can be found travelling along the UK’s vast canal network.