Will there be a Bohemian Rhapsody sequel? Queen’s Roger Taylor has his say

Roger Taylor and Brian May with Ben Hardy, Rami Malek, Gwilym Lee and Joe Mazzello at the Bohemian Rhapsody premiere
Roger Taylor and Brian May with Ben Hardy, Rami Malek, Gwilym Lee and Joe Mazzello at the Bohemian Rhapsody premiere (Image credit: Wiktor Szymanowicz / Barcroft Media - Getty)

Roger Taylor says the possibility of a sequel to smash hit Queen and Freddie Mercury film Bohemian Rhapsody is unlikely as they “wouldn’t want to be seen as cashing in again.”

Bohemian Rhapsody is the biggest music biopic of all time and scooped four Oscarstwo Golden Globes and two BAFTAS, with rumours rife last year that a sequel could be on the cards.

However, earlier this year Brian May appeared to pour cold water on the idea, telling Rolling Stone: “Don’t think we didn’t think about it. We’ve talked. Basically we think not at the moment. Things could change, I suppose, but I think it would be difficult.”

Now, in a new interview with Rolling Stone, Taylor was asked if they had any initial ideas for a sequel.

The drummer replies: “I have to say no. I really do think that we need to sit back for a year or two and look at things and see if that is a believable or credible thing to do. 

“The movie was a great hit. We were delighted, obviously, but I think I wouldn’t want to be seen as cashing in again. I’d have to have a very, very good script and scenario to make that work. Right now, I can’t think of a way of doing a sequel.”

When it was put to him that Queen’s final tour with Mercury in 1986 and the “the final years of his life were very dramatic and eventful,” Taylor says: “That is true. That is post-Live Aid."

He adds laughing: “If somebody comes up with a genius plan, maybe we’ll think about it! Right now, we’re just very happy with what the movie did. There are so many sequels that don’t match up to the original one. 

“There are obvious ones that did, but on the whole, I think it’s a dangerous territory.”

Earlier this month, Taylor said he believed Queen would still be making music together if Mercury was still alive – but wasn’t sure if estranged bassist John Deacon would have been involved.

Queen: Bohemian Rhapsody

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The official soundtrack to the Queen biopic features previously unreleased audio from Live Aid, new versions of old favourites and a selection of songs from the band’s back catalogue.

Scott Munro
Louder e-commerce editor

Scott has spent more than 30 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in the summer of 2014 before moving to the e-commerce team in 2020. Scott maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, scouts out the best deals for music fans and reviews headphones, speakers, books and more. He's written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog and has previous written for publications including IGN, the Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from daily news and weekly features, to video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.