Sacha Baron Cohen would have absolutely nailed the role of Freddie Mercury. Still look forward to this movie, but wow it could have been epic.
https://www.facebook.com/colliderdotcom/videos/10155088959544366/
Possibly. I'm afraid he would have made a joke out of Freddie, though.
Also...he is way too tall.
I disagree. Although SBC is effective in some roles I don't think he's a very good actor, and he'd be all wrong for this role. There's something creepy and off-putting about Cohen, which works in villain or antagonist roles, but this is a role where the presumably audience would have to like him or identify with him. I doubt he's capable of playing such a role.
I don't know that I've seen Malek in anything, but if he's a real actor he'll do a better job than Cohen.
I totally and utterly agree, I’m sure he would of been amazing in the role. Shame.
shareIn interviews I've seen of Freddie Mercury, it took me by surprise how calm and reserved he was in addressing questions he was given, coming off remarkably smart. He was totally opposite of his on-stage persona; flamboyant, charismatic, so spontaneous he could set the floor on fire with his moves! I say this wondering how Cohen would fit into this role. I'm honestly not sure but intrigued.
shareSacha Baron Cohen definitely looks more like him than Malek does, but I think it's easier for Malek to be more dramatic and can also pull off looking like a 24-year old better than SBC can.
shareThis is crazy, I was just thinking the same thing a couple days ago, as Borat SBC looked so much like Freddie Mercury, I'm sure he could've pulled it off. This other guy is from "Mr. Robot" ?? and some HBO mini-series, his face is too fat and he doesn't have the big teeth like Freddie
shareHave you seen SBC in Who is America? After you strip away the prosthetics, his Israeli character with short hair is tantalizingly close to what could have been a more accurate portrayal of Mercury.
shareYes very much so, I agree. I think given the proper script SBC could nail the role of Freddie Mercury. I honestly don't think we've seen his best "dramatic" side yet.
shareThe Mr. Robot guy is a great actor, though.
I think an actor can be convincing playing a non fictional character. even if s/he doesn't look the part. Did Gary Oldman look like Winston Churchil? Not really, but he played him well.
Malek looks like he did a great job. Just from what I've seen on the trailers it looks like he nailed it. Be glad Cohen didn't play Freddie. He was dismissed for a reason. He wanted to make Freddie Mercury look bad. Queen told him no thank you.
shareHe didn't want to make Freddie look bad. He wanted to make something truly great, warts and and all. The story of Queen and Freddie is not all bubblegum and rainbows. SBC wanted to make it more about Freddie than the band from what I gather hence it didn't go ahead.
Of course the remaining band members would prefer all that was glossed over hence we're getting this nice and family friendly, sanitized version. I would much rather watch what SBC had envisioned than this fluff.
I don't know. Judging by the trailers it seems like the movie is pretty much about him. They even say, "The only thing more extraordinary than their music is his story." I don't know how sanitized the movie is. I don't even know what the movie will be rated. But I do know that Queen's music appeals to everyone. I know a lot of kids and young aspiring artists that love Queen. Maybe they wanted to make a movie everyone could enjoy. I'm curious to see the story, but I'd see the movie for the music alone. I'm looking forward to seeing the Live Aid concert scene. It's probably going to feel like you're actually there.
Cohen wanted to show all the dirt and Queen told him no way. I'm sure the movie won't make Freddie out to be a saint, but Cohen wanted to show all of the dirt and he wanted to focus too much on Freddie's sex life. I don't mind learning about his life story, but I want the movie to focus more on his music career. Freddie Mercury was a rock star. If they made a movie about a fireman, I think it's safe to say the movie would focus on the protagonist putting out fires, right? The movie's main focus wouldn't be what drugs he did or who he slept with. You would think.
That's not up to entitled people who want a man's legacy destroyed to decide. It's up to Freddie's wishes and his loved ones who want to honor that.
shareI'm gonna side with the anti-SBC crowd here. Too tall, too many broadly satirical roles. I want to like my Freddie, not see him played like a caricature.
Most movies, when they cast a less well-known actor, it comes off much better than with a familiar face.
I used to see commercials for the Robot guy over-and-over, and I didn't realize this was that guy.
Cohen I would have rolled my eyes at.
No way. SBC is just another Paul Prenter wanting to employ Freddie. Malik was great in the role.
share