Sacha Baron Cohen has been cast as Freddie Mercury in a film based on the book “The Queen” by Peter Morgan.
GK Films announced Friday that the “Bruno” and “Borat” star will play the flamboyant Queen frontman who died in 1991 from AIDS in the as-yet-untitled biopic, which will focus on the band’s early years and end with Queen’s 1985 Live Aid London concert appearance.
“Queen is one of the greatest rock bands of all time, and a music brand all unto itself. Freddie Mercury was an awe-inspiring performer, so with Sacha in the starring role coupled with Peter’s screenplay and the support of Queen, we have the perfect combination to tell the real story behind their success,” GK Films’ Graham King said in a statement.
Production on the film begins next year.
Watch Freddie Mercury in Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, We Will Rock You and We Are The Champion videos below.