It seems that Cohen had "creative differences" with the surviving Queen band members that led him to "remove himself" from the role (link below). Translation: Cohen wanted a more filthy film that would be all about him (i.e. centered exclusively on his Mercury character), while the band wants a PG picture focusing on the entire group.
I, for one, am glad that Cohen hit the bricks. I don't like it when clowns play serious characters in films. See, e.g., Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson in "Starsky and Hutch"; Johnny Knoxville and Seann William Scott in "Dukes of Hazzard"...
Freddie Mercury was one of the most dynamic and memorable performers and vocalists in rock music history, and he led a highly complex life that tragically ended due to the AIDS disease in 1991. His legacy deserves a serious actor to play him, and not some zany comedian more interested in hoggin' the screen with wild sexual antics aimed at shocking the audience.
In terms of my nominations for this role, Obama's an outstanding thespian, but he doesn't look the part and would be handicapped by the fact that he wouldn't be allowed to read from prompter. Or, I might nominate Ryan Reynolds or Ryan Gosling, but those dudes' films have recently been bombing out worse than a Glade can in a Georgia shithouse.
I'm actually at a bit of a loss, because the actor can't be too old. Hows a' bout a relative unknown 30-something? Maybe Mike Vogel ("Under the Dome," "Bates Motel"), Charlie Hunnam ("Sons of Anarchy"), or Joel Kinnaman ("The Killing")...
Or what about a real wildcard -- Avan Jogia from ABC Family Channel's "Twisted" (too young at 21?). Regardless, anyone but Cohen is the bottom line over here. Buzz off, Borat.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gpn8MANhdLU
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-207_162-57595107/sacha-baron-cohen-exits-freddie-mercury-biopic/
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