Rami Malek brings Queen legend Freddie Mercury to life as CinemaCon teases new stills from forthcoming biopic Bohemian Rhapsody
With his trademark bushy mustache and flamboyant sense of style, actor Rami Malek bears a striking resemblance to legendary Queen singer Freddie Mercury in new stills from forthcoming biopic Bohemian Rhapsody.
Malek, 36, will bring the energetic Mercury to life when the film, which focuses on the 15-year period leading up to Queen’s iconic Live Aid performance, goes on general release in November.
And sporting the late singer’s outfit from that special day at Wembley Stadium in June 1985, during which the band performed a six-track set list in front of 72,000 fans, he appears to have fully embraced the challenging role.
One Vision: With a trademark bushy mustache and flamboyant sense of style, actor Rami Malek bears a striking resemblance to legendary Queen singer Freddie Mercury in new stills from forthcoming biopic Bohemian Rhapsody (pictured, with co-star Gwilym Lee as Brian May)
Separate images capture the actor as Mercury alongside his bandmates as they salute the crowds following their set, which culminates with a rousing rendition of We Are The Champions.
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A further still released from the film shows Malek and co-star Gwilym Lee as Mercury and a very believable looking May as they attend a press conference with their band-mates.
Malek was cast as the singer following a troubled pre-production, during which British Ali G star Sacha Baron Cohen originally accepted the role before leaving the project on good terms amid concerns that his fame would prove too distracting for cinema-goers.
Rocking: The actor and his cast-mates capture the moment the band performed a six-track set list in front of 72,000 fans during Live Aid at Wembley Stadium in June 1985
He is the champion: Malek does a good job of embracing the singer's Live Aid look in the new biopic ahead of its release in November
Striking similarity: Wearing a stark white vest and denim jeans, actor Rami Malek bears a striking resemblance to legendary Queen singer Freddie
Previewing footage of the new film - including performances of We Are The Champions and Bohemian Rhapsody - at CinemaCon on Thursday evening, Malek admitted he was overwhelmed after being approached to play Mercury.
'I thought when I got the part that this could be a career-defining performance,' he told guests at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas. 'Then I thought, "This could be a career-killer if I don’t get it right."'
Reflecting on the enduring appeal of Mercury, who died of AIDS in 1991, he added: 'What always had me was his ability to give people the ability to embrace their imperfections.'
Powerful: Malek and his bandmates salute the crowd following their set, which culminates with a rousing rendition of We Are The Champions
Double take: The actor is the spit of Mercury in his trademark white vest and high-slung jeans
The real deal: Mercury and May onstage with Queen at Rasunda Football Stadium in Stockholm, June 1986
The film will also star Ben Hardy as drummer Roger Taylor, Gwilym Lee as guitarist Brian May and Joe Mazzello as bassist Jon Deacon.
Also starring is Allen Leech as Paul Prenter, Mercury’s personal manager, and Lucy Boynton as Mary Austin, Mercury’s lifelong friend and companion.
The movie is directed by Bryan Singer from a script penned by Academy Award nominee Anthony McCarten.
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