X-Men director Bryan Singer is currently in talks to direct Bohemian Rhapsody, a long-awaited biopic about the legendary band Queen, and it has been revealed that Mr Robot actor Rami Malek will be portraying the iconic musician Freddy Mercury.
Rami, who won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his role as the socially isolated yet genius hacker Elliot Alderson, has taken over the role from actors including Sacha Baron Cohen and Ben Whishaw, who were both cast to play the front man of the British rock band at different points of production.
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Rami Malek will play Freddy Mercury
Fans have taken to social media to discuss the new casting decision, with many praising the decision to cast the 35-year-old actor.
One fan wrote: "Congrats to Rami for getting this role! He's one of the best actors of our century and it's deserved! Good luck." Another added: "Genius casting, slow-clapping my brains out. We all thought @ItsRamiMalek was born for #mrrobot but #freddiemercury biopic is him all day."
Many fans made jokes about the news, with one excitedly tweeting: "Me: I hate Queen. Sources: Rami Malek to play Freddie M- Me: Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? Caught in a landslide No escape fr…"
Bryan shared a snap of an iconic album cover of the band to confirm the news, writing: "Looking forward to @ramimalek @whoismrrobot playing #Freddie."
According to Deadline, the film will be produced by 20th Century Fox and New Regency after being in development for eight years, and will reportedly begin to shoot in early 2017 with a script penned by The Theory of Everything writer Anthony McCarten.