As reported recently, Rami Malek, the actor who famously plays the role of Elliott in the popular TV show “Mr. Robot,” is turning into Freddie Mercury in his latest project. It has taken some years to get the project going, but finally, production has been started on the biopic of Mercury, the flamboyant frontman of Queen under the title of "Bohemian Rhapsody."

As reported by the BBC, other actors had been cast in the role but dropped out, including Sacha Baron Cohen, Ben Whishaw, and Johnny Depp. Malek was finally cast as the famous “Bohemian Rhapsody” singer and a photo has been released of him fully into the role.

The similarity between the actor and the Mercury is uncanny and shows Malek wearing Mercury’s outfit from Live Aid.

‘A very affirming moment’ for Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury

The photo of Malek in his role was released on Tuesday, in honor of what would have been the late singer’s 71st birthday that day.

Entertainment Weekly recently interviewed Rami about his exciting new role and the fact that he can so closely resemble Mercury. He told them that when he was first in makeup and hair for the role, it was a “very affirming moment when you can open your eyes and see a completely different person looking back at you from the mirror.

A different person indeed, as can be seen above.

However, another aspect of making the film is that famous voice. According to Entertainment Weekly, it will be a mixture, featuring some of Malek’s own singing voice or recordings of Freddie singing, using a sound alike to fill the gaps. Rami said they would be using Mercury’s voice as much as they can, but he gave a hint by saying he was currently working at the Abbey Road studios and that it doesn’t relate to his acting.

Not a traditional biopic

The film is being directed by Bryan Singer of “X-Men” fame, who said it was not your normal, traditional biopic, but rather a celebration of Queen’s music. Singer said even though it will only cover a brief timeline of his life, it won’t be merely a dark story about Freddie, although that aspect will be honored in the biopic.

He added the film is all about collaboration and that it is a celebration.

Besides Malek, other cast members are Ben Hardy, Gwilym Lee and Joe Mazzello, who will play the other members of Queen. Brian May, original guitarist with the group, today posted a photo of the film’s lineup to his Instagram page, while Rami posted an image of the Live Aid stage, recreated for the biopic. Malek also posted an image of Queen to Twitter to recognize Mercury's birthday.

Malek was also interviewed on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," where he said he had to audition to sing like Mercury.

He also spoke of his recent film "Buster's Mal Heart.

Freddie Mercury biopic to release Christmas 2018

The film will tell the story of Queen from when Mercury joined May and Roger Taylor in 1970 to form the band. It will include Queen’s performance at the 1985 Live Aid, held six years prior to the singer’s death from complications from Aids. "Bohemian Rhapsody" is scheduled to hit theater screens on December 25, 2018, just in time for Christmas.
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED