Ben Whishaw next in line for Freddie

 

Openly gay British actor Ben Whishaw, best known for his role as Q in James Bond: Skyfall, is set to take the role of Freddie Mercury in a film about the singer’s life. The actor has the blessing of the remaining band members who hope Whishaw takes the part.

The roll has seen several actors rumoured for the role including Daniel Radcliffe, Johnny Depp and Tom Selleck (although we think that was a joke, just because of the moustache) . Favourite, however, was Borat comic Sacha Baron Cohen, who pulled out of the project due to creative differences with the rock band’s surviving members.

 

Queen drummer Roger Taylor told the One Show on BBC1 that the actor they hoped would replace Cohen has the initials BW.

When Whishaw’s name was suggested, Taylor said: “Well, we hope so”.

Whishaw is no stranger to playing famous artists, having portrayed Rolling Stones star Keith Richards in Stoned, Bob Dylan in I’m Not There, and poet John Keats in Bright Star.

The Mercury biopic is backed by Robert De Niro’s production company Tribeca, which co-financed the stage musical We Will Rock You.