Baron Cohen back on the Freddie Mercury biopic as star, writer and director

Sacha Baron Cohen is back on the Freddie Mercury film.

The Borat star has rejoined the biopic of the Queen singer two years after falling out with Mercury’s bandmates Brian May and Roger Taylor over the direction the film will take.

But now he is back on board – to write, direct as well as star as the rock icon, who died in 1991 at the age of 45 after contracting Aids.

Queen’s manager Jim Beach said it was ‘important breakthrough’ in the seven-year ‘saga’ of getting the film off the ground.

Baron Cohen’s involvement was first announced in 2010, but three years later pulled out, with Ben Whishaw – who played Q in Sykfall – stepping in.

At the time it was reported that Baron Cohen was hoping the film would be a raunchy look at Mercury’s hedonistic lifestyle – while producers were set on something more family-friendly.

And for their part May and Taylor felt the Ali G creator could have been a ‘distraction’ from telling Mercury’s story, which they did’t want to be told as ‘a joke’.

The pair originally had a veto on the script, although it is not known if this is still in place with Baron Cohen back on board.

Names attached to the project over the years have include The Queen writer Peter Morgan and directors David Fincher, Tom Hooper and Dexter Fletcher, who also pulled out over fears the way the story was being told.

Baron Cohen is also said to be developing a film called The Lesbian inspired by the true story of Hong Kong billionaire Cecli Chao who offered $65million to any man who could marry his lesbian daughter.

Published: 28 Mar 2015