OT: Borat will play Freddie Mercury

[*Laura]

I don't think I like the idea.

Maybe there is a resemblence,but this guy IS Borat,I just can't see him playing Freddie..I would automatically think of the Borat character.
Johnny Depp would have been a much better choice,imo.

Looks like Cohen is hired,tho..

http://www.spin.com/features/news/2007/05/070504_queen/

http://www.showbizspy.com/2007/05/04/sacha-baron-cohen-to-play-freddie-mercury/

[Deb]

:? I don't think I like the idea.

Maybe there is a resemblence,but this guy IS Borat,I just can't see him playing Freddie..I would automatically think of the Borat character.
Johnny Depp would have been a much better choice,imo.

Looks like Cohen is hired,tho..

http://www.spin.com/features/news/2007/05/070504_queen/

http://www.showbizspy.com/2007/05/04/sacha-baron-cohen-to-play-freddie-mercury/

Darn. Cohen definately looks more like him, but I think Depp has the better acting chops to play him. Versatility should be his middle name with some of those different roles he has played.

[bluejeangirl76]

Actually it doesn't sound like a bad idea to me. Sacha Baron Cohen is extremely talented, as far as voices and characters, so it could be a wise choice. Johnny Depp, though, is even better with accents and voices, and no question on his acting ability, but the look is all wrong, unless they changed his look dramatically.

I would get on board with either guy. Hopefully it will be a good script because this is a movie I think could be amazing as long as it's done right. I guess we shall see.

[Deb]

Hopefully it will be a good script because this is a movie I think could be amazing as long as it's done right. I guess we shall see.

Agreed.

[chickpea]

I think Cohen will be great as Freddie.

Now if there's ever a movie about the Stones, no one can play Keith like JD.

[*Laura]

Cohen definately looks more like him, but I think Depp has the better acting chops to play him. Versatility should be his middle name with some of those different roles he has played.

Yeah,that's what I had in mind too.Borat (see,can't even type his real name,it's a reflex ) may look more like Freddie,but Depp's acting skills would have covered any problems in the looks department.Besides,professional make-up does wonders nowadays.

I dunno...it's like Leslie Nielsen playing Willis's part in Die Hard.

[nikki]

Personally, I would've preferred seeing Johnny Depp in that role, but Cohen might just have the chops for it. If nothing else, it should be interesting watching Cohen play the greatest front man of all time.

[markumsherreum]

Cohen is physically similar to Freddie but ,I never see Cohen in a picture

[whocares]

oh goodie, yet another reason to see his (SBC's) OVERLY hair body...

Not that Freddie didn't have a hairy chest that he liked to show off.

[7 Wishes]

Yeah,that's what I had in mind too.Borat (see,can't even type his real name,it's a reflex ) may look more like Freddie,but Depp's acting skills would have covered any problems in the looks department.Besides,professional make-up does wonders nowadays.

I dunno...it's like Leslie Nielsen playing Willis's part in Die Hard.

I totally understand what you're saying, but I'm hopeful that someone with such natural comedic instinct may have the ability to utilize his talent in a dramatic capacity. Who would have guessed, after "Bachelor Party" (a great flick, incidentally, with George Grizzard at his best), that Hanks would go on to become one of the great actors of our generation? On a different note, if you were an alien and you saw "The Avengers", you'd have never guessed that Ralph Fiennes is actually a modern-day Olivier.

[Uncle heFTy]

As a long time fan of Queen, Baron Cohen would be the last person I would like to play Freddie. He is a buffoon and will be forever associated with Ali G and the plonker Borat. Being visually similar is one thng, being able to take on Freddie's affectations is another and, above all, to be able to hold a half-decent note is yet another.

Brian May and Roger Taylor have fought shy for many years of the biopic route, ket's hope they have the power to keep this one of the studio hit lists.

On a marginally connected (to Brian at least) thread, Lonnie Donnegan's widow was talking a couple of days ago about how some of Lonnie's wrk is about to lose its copyright status - 50 years has passed all to quickly.

Uncle H

[SusieP]

Thanks for the link Shania. I hadn't heard this. I thought Depp was doing it.
Wow.
I don't know what to think about this.

Uncle Hefty doubts that Cohen could hold a decent note, well, I assume Freddie's own voice will be used. Didn't they use Tina Turner's own voice for Angela Barratt to lipsynch to in the movie of Tina's life? They'll probably do the same with this one.

Hmmmm.
He could probably do it ok. It never occurred to me that he would be in the running though.

[Uncle heFTy]

Thanks for the link Shania. I hadn't heard this. I thought Depp was doing it.
Wow.
I don't know what to think about this.

Uncle Hefty doubts that Cohen could hold a decent note, well, I assume Freddie's own voice will be used. Didn't they use Tina Turner's own voice for Angela Barratt to lipsynch to in the movie of Tina's life? They'll probably do the same with this one.

Hmmmm.
He could probably do it ok. It never occurred to me that he would be in the running though.

Actally Susie I think he probably could hold a note, but its the images of him as Borat and AliG that wrankle.

Remember, it won't start till the thin bloke with a moustache begins to sing, and there may be a huge number of bridges to cross before that happens.

Uncle H

[*Laura]

As a long time fan of Queen, Baron Cohen would be the last person I would like to play Freddie. He is a buffoon and will be forever associated with Ali G and the plonker Borat. Being visually similar is one thng, being able to take on Freddie's affectations is another and, above all, to be able to hold a half-decent note is yet another.

That's the problem,well at least for me...Cohen identifies with Borat.He may be able to act and all,but the viewers will associate him with his former role...
As for the singing part,I guess it's like Susie said,they will have to use Freddie's voice or else it's going to be a huge fiasco.

[SusieP]

Thanks for the link Shania. I hadn't heard this. I thought Depp was doing it.
Wow.
I don't know what to think about this.

Uncle Hefty doubts that Cohen could hold a decent note, well, I assume Freddie's own voice will be used. Didn't they use Tina Turner's own voice for Angela Barratt to lipsynch to in the movie of Tina's life? They'll probably do the same with this one.

Hmmmm.
He could probably do it ok. It never occurred to me that he would be in the running though.

Actally Susie I think he probably could hold a note, but its the images of him as Borat and AliG that wrankle.

Remember, it won't start till the thin bloke with a moustache begins to sing, and there may be a huge number of bridges to cross before that happens.

Uncle H

Know what you mean Uncle H. Hard to shake off images of his other silly characters.
I'm just a bit gobsmacked that he was even in the running. The Casting Director has one hell of an imagination.

They'll have to use the real Freddie's singing voice even if Cohen can sing, Uncle H, well, for me anyway. I'd want to hear Freddie's voice, not the actor's, no matter who plays him.

I know its not the same, but Frank Sinatra wasn't known for dramatic acting but he made a good job of 'The Man with the Golden Arm', and 'From Here To Eternity'. Who'd have thunk it.

I'm really curious to see it now. More than I was when I thought it was Depp playing Freddie.
You know, I bet the bugger can do a good job of it.

[joybringer1]

As a long time fan of Queen, Baron Cohen would be the last person I would like to play Freddie. He is a buffoon and will be forever associated with Ali G and the plonker Borat.
Uncle H

I have no feelings either way on this subject but in response to this comment I would just say "David Jason". Who'd have thought that he could so completely and utterly shake off Del Boy the way he did and be accepted as a dramatic actor. So it's not beyond the realms of possibility that SBC can do the same.

[Uncle heFTy]

As a long time fan of Queen, Baron Cohen would be the last person I would like to play Freddie. He is a buffoon and will be forever associated with Ali G and the plonker Borat.
Uncle H

I have no feelings either way on this subject but in response to this comment I would just say "David Jason". Who'd have thought that he could so completely and utterly shake off Del Boy the way he did and be accepted as a dramatic actor. So it's not beyond the realms of possibility that SBC can do the same.

I agree, but David Jason was a serious actor before 'Del Boy', in fact he is propbably one of our most accomplished. My opinion was simply that, a personal view of what 'baggage' Sacha Baron Cohen would bring with him. He may be a tremendous actor, but his past will always haunt me. In fact I don't believe that any existing 'name' could succesfully 'do' Freddie. I'd love to see it (genuinely) but Freddie's persona is so etched into memory ots hard to se how anyone could. I feel much the same way about 'dress up' tribute bands - if you can play and sing, why do you need to mimic in every way the lives of your heroes. JSS played it just right when he and his band did Queen at the UK Convention, my own sons' band (Queen Rocks), Miracle, Ga Ga and others who simply do 'covers' of Queen are much more fulfilling - to me at least. But it is each to his own.

SBC is, I believe, one of many that the tabloids have proposed - long may it just be a proposition.

Uncle H

[Uncle heFTy]

Brian May's web-site posted this last night http://www.brianmay.com/whatsnew.html so hopefully the rumour can be squashed. (wipes furrowed brow) 'Phew - another one bit the dust!

TTFN
Uncle H

[*Laura]

Brian May's web-site posted this last night http://www.brianmay.com/whatsnew.html so hopefully the rumour can be squashed. (wipes furrowed brow) 'Phew - another one bit the dust!

TTFN
Uncle H

Haha...That's good!

Thanks for posting!

[SusieP]

Thanks Uncle H.
Back to thinking Depp's going to do it then.

[Helena Bonham Carter is also in Sweeney Todd ans Tim Burton is directing - now THAT I have to see. Should be weird & interesting. I LOVE eccentric people.]

[NealIsGod]

I think Cohen will blow everyone away if he plays Freddie. His star is just starting to rise.

[Uncle heFTy]

I think Cohen will blow everyone away if he plays Freddie. His star is just starting to rise.

Read http://www.Brianmay.com he isn't and wouldn't.

Uncle H

[Behshad]

Cohen is gonna pull it off without any problems. He is a very talented actor . I personally think that Depp wouldve made the movie a bit cheesy. He doesnt look like Mercury and he sure cant sing.

[YoungJRNYfan]

I actualy think its a good idea that Cohen got the part. He goes into charactor so well, and is practically a genius at it and he can stay into charactor for some time. Plus, he looks IDENTICAL to Mercury. Overall it will be a good choice and you would be surprised how well Cohen will pull it off.

[SusieP]

I actualy think its a good idea that Cohen got the part. He goes into charactor so well, and is practically a genius at it and he can stay into charactor for some time. Plus, he looks IDENTICAL to Mercury. Overall it will be a good choice and you would be surprised how well Cohen will pull it off.

See the posts above - he hasn't got the part.
well, according to Brian May's website, anyway.

[Liam]

If he gets it...I think the guy would do a good job. Looks-wise especially.

[Deb]

Read http://www.Brianmay.com he isn't and wouldn't.

Uncle H

Good to hear, hope it goes to Depp. Great actor and a rocknroller at heart.

[Liam]

Read http://www.Brianmay.com he isn't and wouldn't.

Uncle H

Good to hear, hope it goes to Depp. Great actor and a rocknroller at heart.

I'm sorry...I can't see Depp playing Freddie. Good actor but...I dunno,..just seems weird...

[SusieP]

Read http://www.Brianmay.com he isn't and wouldn't.

Uncle H

Good to hear, hope it goes to Depp. Great actor and a rocknroller at heart.

I'm sorry...I can't see Depp playing Freddie. Good actor but...I dunno,..just seems weird...

We discussed this a while ago, and couldn't really come up with any suggestions who else would be up to the job acting wise.
Eric McCormack was supposed to be in the running, and Johnny was supposed to be the frontrunner.

[Deb]

Read http://www.Brianmay.com he isn't and wouldn't.

Uncle H

Good to hear, hope it goes to Depp. Great actor and a rocknroller at heart.

I'm sorry...I can't see Depp playing Freddie. Good actor but...I dunno,..just seems weird...

You might be surprised, after seeing some of his early movies, he has played some pretty off the wall characters and pulled them off. Like Fear and Loathing, Crybaby, etc. Extremely versatile actor. Throw a mustache, some prominant caps (teeth), cut his hair and I totally can see him pulling it off, especially his flamboyant stage presence. Jonny acting, Jeff's vocals. But whoever they get, I'll definately want to see it.