A couple of years since landing the dream role of legendary singer Freddie Mercury in the planned Queen biopic, Sacha Baron Cohen has been ‘under pressure’ with trying to get the the film made and has finally decided to walk away from it.

Deadline has confirmed that the controversial Golden-Globe winning star of hit films like Borat (2006) and Les Miserables (2012) has exited the project following creative differences with the other band members of Queen who voiced their concern about the way their story would be depicted.

The concern was that the band wanted the film to be a PG whereas Cohen had lobbied for a gritty 15-rated film that would delve deep into Mercury’s personal life. However Queen have disapproved of the latter suggestion which has led to Cohen wanting to break free!

The biopic is being produced by Sony Pictures with the script being penned by renowned British screenwriter Peter Morgan (The Queen, Frost/Nixon). However as well as a new actor being needed to replace Cohen, a director is also required after original candidate Tom Hooper (The King’s Speech, Les Mis) decided to leave the biopic in a flash!

I’m sure I’m not the only fan disappointed to see Cohen depart especially when he shares such an uncanny likeness to Mercury!

As the great band would sing, the show must go on….