We all know that Bryan Singer caused total chaos during production of “Bohemian Rhapsody,’” to the point where, on some days, he would just not show up on-set at all. At some point, Fox higher-ups had enough of his erratic behavior and demanded that Singer be fired from ‘Bohemian’. Replacing him was Dexter Fletcher, who is the director of the upcoming Elton John biopic “Rocket Man.” Supposedly there wasn’t much left to shoot (around weeks), but Fletcher came in to complete the film at the behest of old pal Rami Malek would seems to have pleaded to Fletcher to come and save the movie.
Speaking to THR, Fletcher mentions that there were reshoots and post-production work. Ultimately, Singer’s name, as per DGA rules, was credited as the director of the whole project.
Fletcher adds that not only Rami Malek, but producer friend Matthew Vaughn as well,convinced him to finish the blockbuster.
“Rami was like, ‘We fucking need you, man. We need somebody,'” Fletcher revealed. “‘If you come to set and shit on the floor, you’ll still do a better job than this guy.'”
Fletcher had been attached to direct “Bohemian Rhapsody” when it was at another studio. It was supposed to be a more sexual depiction of Mercury’s life.
“I was like, ‘It’s got to be R. It’s got to have fucking angst and be about an immigrant, a gay man, all the outsider values,'” Fletcher said.
He added, “[Losing the job] felt like a real boot in the teeth. It was like, ‘The money’s not there. We’re not doing it.’ But look, just because you put all your heart into something doesn’t mean to say it’s right. They [Fox] were right, $900 million right.”