Queen's long-awaited biopic Bohemian Rhapsody is in production - and now we have the first image of what Freddie Mercury will look like in the film.
Mr Robot star Rami Malek has been hired to play the part in the film, which follows Queen from their start in 1970 to the band's performance at Live Aid in 1985, six years before the singer died of complications from AIDS.
- Queen finds their new Freddie Mercury
- Mr Robot star Rami Malek to portray Freddie Mercury in Queen film
Singing parts in the film will combine Malek's own voice and recordings of Mercury, with a sound-alike filling in the gaps.
Speaking to Rolling Stone, guitarist Brian May was full of praise for Malek.
"He's completely living and breathing Freddie already, which is just wonderful to see."
May called him the "perfect choice to recreate the fabulous Queen years which brought us such unforgettable moments as Live Aid, which we can reveal will be faithfully recreated for a key sequence the film".
The film has had a rocky six-year development. Sacha Baron Cohen was originally attached to portray Mercury, but was dropped after arguments with Queen band members.
In March 2016, Baron Cohen told radio host Howard Stern he disagreed over how much of the film should be dedicated to Mercury.
"A member of the band - I won't say who - said: 'You know, this is such a great movie because it's got such an amazing thing that happens in the middle.'
"And I go: 'What happens in the middle of the movie?' He goes: 'You know, Freddie dies.' I go: 'What happens in the second half of the movie?' He goes: 'We see how the band carries on from strength to strength.'
"I said: 'Listen, not one person is going to see a movie where the lead character dies from AIDS and then you see how the band carries on.'"
The Usual Suspects and X-Men: Apocalypse director Bryan Singer is also attached. The film is scheduled to begin shooting early in 2017.
Newshub.
