Sacha Baron Cohen to play Freddie Mercury???

[AlohaPolynesian]

OK so I know I'm a few days late on this one but I just saw it posted online. Sacha Baron Cohen to play Freddie Mercury in a new movie?? I thought the part was supposed to be Johnny Depp's?

I'm only 23 but I've been a huge Queen fan ever since I had to do a research project on them a few years ago. I just think that this is a realllllly poor choice to play such an iconic figure. I know Freddie was outrageous and Sacha seems to be along those lines but I just don't think he is talented enough to pull it off!

 

[kimblebee]

I think Johnny Depp would have been the wrong choice. I think Sacha will do a great job.

 

[SevenSeasLagoon5]

I also love Queen (have for as long as I can remember) and I was so excited when I heard about Baron Cohen. I think he'll be able to emulate him so well and "knock it out of the park". Even though he's hilariously innappropriate at times, he is a really talented actor and excels at doing various characters!

 

[DisneySaver28]

I absolutely LOVE Johnny Depp!! That said, he would have been a horrible choice for the part. I think Sacha is going to do a wonderful job! I can't think of anyone who could pull of Freddie's eccentric demeanor better.

 

[Shyvioletisme]

I think Johnny Depp would have been the wrong choice. I think Sacha will do a great job.

I also love Queen (have for as long as I can remember) and I was so excited when I heard about Baron Cohen. I think he'll be able to emulate him so well and "knock it out of the park". Even though he's hilariously innappropriate at times, he is a really talented actor and excels at doing various characters!

I absolutely LOVE Johnny Depp!! That said, he would have been a horrible choice for the part. I think Sacha is going to do a wonderful job! I can't think of anyone who could pull of Freddie's eccentric demeanor.

I agree. Plus SBC can actually sing.
Johnny Depp would have made an incredibly poor choice for this particular project.

 

[handinpocket]

Cohen bears a resemblence to Freddy Mercury, and he is eccentric and crazy too, he will be awesome. Johnny Depp would have been a horrible choice.

 

[momof1princess]

i have to agree, OP, i just don't see sacha baron cohen pulling off an accurate portrayal of freddie mercury. SBC is a comedian (and frankly, his brand of comedy is a taste i have yet to acquire), and freddie mercury was an amazingly talented man. i've been a queen fan for almost 30 years, and it would be a real shame for freddie's musical legacy to be tainted by SBC's antics. i hope that we're both wrong, and the film pays a fitting tribute to the entire band.

i do have to say, i think johnny depp, as talented as he is, would have been totally wrong for the part.

 

[kimblebee]

i have to agree, OP, i just don't see sacha baron cohen pulling off an accurate portrayal of freddie mercury. SBC is a comedian (and frankly, his brand of comedy is a taste i have yet to acquire), and freddie mercury was an amazingly talented man. i've been a queen fan for almost 30 years, and it would be a real shame for freddie's musical legacy to be tainted by SBC's antics. i hope that we're both wrong, and the film pays a fitting tribute to the entire band.

i do have to say, i think johnny depp, as talented as he is, would have been totally wrong for the part.

Just because Sacha is a comedian, doesn't mean he can't do a serious role. One of my favorite Jim Carrey movies is The Truman show. Not exactly a gripping drama, but not his usual schtick.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

Cohen bears a resemblence to Freddy Mercury, and he is eccentric and crazy too, he will be awesome. Johnny Depp would have been a horrible choice.

Agreed. It just makes sense. I can't see anyone else playing Freddy. They just look too much alike. I think SBC may be more talented than we give him credit for. I know he is always in crazy movies, but I have always assumed it takes more talent to make someone laugh than be in a serious role. I think he will do a fine job.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

Just because Sacha is a comedian, doesn't mean he can't do a serious role. One of my favorite Jim Carrey movies is The Truman show. Not exactly a gripping drama, but not his usual schtick.

Great point. And I think The Truman Show was brilliant. One of my favorite movies. He was also good in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

 

[NHdisneylover]

I have never like Cohen's brand of humor at all, yet I agree with the majority of posters here. I can very much see Cohen doing an amazing job of playing Freddy Mercury.
Like others, while I really like Depp and he can rally act in the right role--this seems like it would have been a terrible fit for him. I cannot picture it coming out well at all had he been cast as Mercury.

 

[Pakey]

I agree with the majority. I can't think of anyone who would be better than SBC.

 

[Imzadi]

i've been a queen fan for almost 30 years, and it would be a real shame for freddie's musical legacy to be tainted by SBC's antics. i hope that we're both wrong, and the film pays a fitting tribute to the entire band.

I do think SBC can play the part. I do hope he does it seriously, and well. Freddie Mercury does need a respectful tribute, not a caricature, and not someone hyping all the idiosyncrasies.

 

[luvmy3]

Cohen bears a resemblence to Freddy Mercury, and he is eccentric and crazy too, he will be awesome. Johnny Depp would have been a horrible choice.

MTE and I agree with some of the pp's. SBC is an actor/comedian, he is very talented and I'm sure is able to portray Freddie with respect and dignity. I think most people assume that the charcaters we see are who these celebrities really are, and it takes that one role to prove everyone wrong. I bet this is the role that does that for SBC.

 

[Jennasis]

SBC is actually an excellent actor. He is PERFECT for the role of Freddie Mercury.

 

[perdidobay]

I think Johnny Depp would have been the wrong choice. I think Sacha will do a great job.

I agree, as much as I love JD, I think SBC will do a much better job in the role.

 

[AlohaPolynesian]

Ahh I hope he proves me wrong! And, I'm not saying I would've preferred Johnny Depp but I just always had heard it was going to be his part and he is pretty talented so it would've been interesting to see how he did Freddie.

Should be interesting!!

 

[bgirldeb]

Just because Sacha is a comedian, doesn't mean he can't do a serious role. One of my favorite Jim Carrey movies is The Truman show. Not exactly a gripping drama, but not his usual schtick.

Great point. And I think The Truman Show was brilliant. One of my favorite movies. He was also good in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

Two of my favorite movies! Jim Carrey really excellent in dramatic roles. Another comedian that is excellent in drama is Robin Williams.

SBC may not be everyone's cup of tea, but he is very intelligent and a great actor. I think he is perfect to play Freddie Mercury.

 

[dejr_8]

I agree. Plus SBC can actually sing.
Johnny Depp would have made an incredibly poor choice for this particular project.

He can???

 

[DisneySaver28]

He can???

Of course he can!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FM5kLuV9YU