Freddie Mercury is rightfully regarded as one of the best singers and most iconic frontmen in music history.
So, obviously, if “Bohemian Rhapsody,” the upcoming biopic of the Queen vocalist, is to have any kind of critical or financial success then those involved have to make sure that the singing in the film resonates with audiences.
But how do you achieve that? Do you just use Mercury’s voice? Or have lead actor Rami Malek try to replicate it?
I recently had the chance to speak to Malek about his performance in Bohemian Rhapsody, during which time I asked the actor straight out whether or not he is singing in the film.
“It is an amalgamation of a few voices. But predominantly it is my hope and the hope of everyone that we will hear as much Freddie as possible. I think that is the goal for all of us.”
With “Bohemian Rhapsody” still around 2 and a half months from release, Malek was a little reticent to talk about the film that much.
So when it came to saying anything else about its rather turbulent production, which saw Bryan Singer replaced as director by Dexter Fletcher with only a few weeks left, Malek only added the following.
“I am very happy with what we did out there. It was truly the experience of a lifetime. One that I will never have again. I can say that without question. I will never get to do that again. And it will be something that I will treasure for as long as I walk this Earth.”
You can finally check out Malek’s performance as Mercury when “Bohemian Rhapsody” is finally released on November 2.
Meanwhile, if you’re looking to see Malek on screen before then, you can watch “Papillon,” which tells of the true story of Henri Charriere’s 14-year incarceration and escape from the French penal colony of French Guiana, when it is released on Friday.
