The Queen biopic “Bohemian Rhapsody“ has been a mess of biblical proportions. So far, we’ve heard of Director Bryan Singer not showing up on-set, having tantrums against his stars, including throwing a metal object towards Rami Malek, which all led to his firing yesterday. It was bound to happen, but the director has finally released a statement with his own side of the story and he says it all has to do with the illness of one of his parents, and that Fox refused his request for some time off to deal with the personal issue:
"Bohemian Rhapsody is a passion project of mine. With fewer than three weeks to shoot remaining, I asked Fox for some time off so I could return to the U.S. to deal with pressing health matters concerning one of my parents. This was a very taxing experience, which ultimately took a serious toll on my own health. Unfortunately, the studio was unwilling to accommodate me and terminated my services. This was not my decision and it was beyond my control. Rumors that my unexpected departure from the film was sparked by a dispute I had with Rami Malek are not true. While, at times, we did have creative differences on set, Rami and I successfully put those differences behind us and continued to work on the film together until just prior to Thanksgiving. I wanted nothing more than to be able to finish this project and help honor the legacy of Freddie Mercury and Queen, but Fox would not permit me to do so because I needed to temporarily put my health, and the health of my loved ones, first."
I'm curious as to what Fox's response would be to this. There are two weeks left in the shoot of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” a new director will most likely come in to help finish the product, but who will receive the director's credit? Suffice to say, there is lots more to come with this drama.
[THR]
The film has taken over the Telluride Film Festival. It’s a best picture contender. Julianne Moore is a best actress frontrunner. Paul Giamatti might win his first Oscar for as supporting actor.