Oscar Isaac Passed On Playing Freddie Mercury In Bohemian Rhapsody

Oscar Isaac reveals he passed on the opportunity to star as Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody, a role ultimately claimed by Rami Malek.

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Oscar Isaac reveals that he passed on the opportunity to play Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody. The Ex Machina star is currently celebrating the release of Dune in US cinemas, in which he plays the role of Duke Leto Atreides. He also recently returned as the voice of Gomez Addams in The Addams Family 2.

Bohemian Rhapsody made its debut in 2018. The biopic charted the life of famed Queen singer, Freddie Mercury, exploring his music and sexuality. No Time To Die villain, Rami Malek, ultimately bagged the starring role, garnering critical acclaim for his portrayal and earning himself an Academy Award, Golden Globe and Bafta for Best Actor. Also featured in the film were Aidan Gillen, Tom Hollander, Mike Myers, Lucy Boynton, Ben Hardy, Joseph Mazello, Gwilym Lee, Allen Leech, and Michelle Duncan.

Now, in a conversation with ABC Audio (via GMA), Isaac reveals that he was offered the chance to play Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody but passed it up. The 42-year-old confessed that he didn’t believe audiences would be interested in seeing a biopic for Mercury. He was quickly proven wrong, however, as the film went on to gross over $900 million at the box office. Despite its obvious success, Isaac says that he doesn’t really regret his decision. “I think I could never have done what Rami Malek did,” he added. Check out all of Isaac’s remarks below:

“At the time I was like, ‘I don’t think anybody wants to see somebody pretend to be Freddie Mercury.’ And then, sure enough — everybody wanted to see someone do Freddie Mercury, […] So that was one that came by.”

“I think I could never have done what Rami Malek did, […] I just think he was — obviously everyone thought so — he was great […] But that was a funny one where it was just my thinking was so like, ‘You could just watch him on YouTube. Why would anybody want to watch somebody pretend to do him, you know?'”

Recently, rumors have been circulating over a possible sequel to the 2018 hit. Though no narrative has been shared, Queen bandmate, Brian May, did confirm that ideas for a follow-up film were being considered. How or if Malek would be able to return in any Bohemian Rhapsody sequel is up for debate. The original film concluded during Queen’s iconic Live Aid performance, only a few years prior to Mercury’s death in 1991. Whether a sequel would document the years leading up to his death or follow the band in the aftermath, remains a speculative mystery.

Isaac certainly boasted a busy roster of his own in 2018, featuring in titles such as Annihilation, Life Itself and voicing in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, however, it seems unlikely he wasn’t a little bit disappointed upon witnessing the success of Bohemian Rhapsody. Though, as Isaac stated, there would have been no guarantee he could have championed the role of Mercury quite like Malek, the opportunity surely would have been appealing in hindsight. Regardless, Isaac perhaps sees little reason to dwell on past job offers. As he awaits the reception of US audiences watching Dune, he is likely already reveling in its critical success and looking on to his television debut as Marvel’s Moon Knight. Having long since established himself as an award-winning actor in his own right, Isaac may already be looking upon the script of Hollywood’s next big hit.

Link Source : https://screenrant.com/bohemian-rhapsody-oscar-isaac-freddie-mercury-role-response/