Movies News
Johnny Depp to play Freddie Mercury?
By Stone Martindale Jan 3, 2007, 1:03 GMT
Johnny Depp - you\'re welcome. © Photorazzi
"Pirates of the Caribbean" star, Johnny Depp, is strongly rumored to play Freddie Mercury in a biopic of the late Queen frontman. The UK Independent reports that Robert De Niro’s Tribeca Productions is developing the project.
Queen guitarist Brian May has confirmed the project is moving forward and posted on his website: “Discussions are at an early stage. He (Johnny) would be a worthy counterpart for Freddie on screen. I don't think I can say any more right now.”
Beyond Depp's passing resemblance to Mercury, Depp is adept at playing sexually ambiguous characters, from Edward Scissorhands, Willy Wonka, Ed Wood to the Keith Richards-esque Captain Jack Sparrow, that he seems perfectly fitted to the role.
Defamer.com muses that the casting news comes hard to "killer John Mark Karr, who has very specifically expressed his desire for Depp to play him in his own biopic project, which, due to a lack of back catalog of 70s rock classics... is currently languishing in some producer's "put a pin in it" pile."
The Independent reports that De Niro met Brian May and Roger Taylor from Queen at the Venice Film Festival in 1996 and invested money into their hit stage musical, We Will Rock You.
The proposed biopic would recount the colorful life of Mercury, who was born Farrokh Bulsara in Zanzibar in 1946, and settled in England when he was in his teens. He performed with several bands before co-founding Queen in 1971. He died from complications of Aids in 1991. Reports the Independent.
It was Mercury's distinctive flair onstage, theatrical moves and operatic voice, which ranged four octaves, that sealed Queen's success.
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Older Talkback
page: 1
i am so in love with freddie i can't wait!
i hope it comes out soon. i really wanna learn about Freddie has was my idol!
Wow he would be a great Mercury. Depp is a very talented actor.
Jhonny depp is so sexy omg he is the beat in Pirtes Of The Caribbean
FINALLY a movie is being made in freddie mercury. it's been 15 years! ray and walk the line came out a year after ray charles' and johnnt cash's death, but 15 years for freddie. im so happy they're making the movie and can't wait to see it!
this is a revelation hurrah! my two favourite men in one delectable package!
Finally a movie about Freddie Mercury the musician and not the personal life of the great man. If the remaining members of Queen are involved then it's bound to be a great movie and Johnny Depp is perfect for this great role
FREDDIE LIVES AND QUEEN STILL ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jonny Depp would absolutly FABULOUS as Freddie Mercury. I just know he'll take the part. He could get an Oscar for his portrayal.
HORRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRAY!!!!!!! I LOVE Queen! Freddie Mercury is the best!
estoy d acuerdo con linda thacker
Wow, okay I remember reading this on Brian May's blog, and I was *HOPING* it was true!!! Omg having a QUEEN movie would be incredible, and Johnny Depp is well worth playing the wonderful Freddie Mercury x] Gah.. a movie about Freddie Mercury.. would be AMAZING
it's soo exciting that finally a biography that seems worth while to see other the ray...this movie is going to be banger and a hit in the box offices!!
I love Freddie Mercury so mouch and for his life to be acted out by Johnny Depp is a great honor. I already know pretty much everything about Freddie but I just can't get enogh Queen in my life and I am looking forward to this movie and will see hundreds of times!!!!!!!!!
wow no better person to play mercury than johnny depp
FREDDIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They finally made a movie!!!!!!! Meh Freddie action figure is hyped for it!He deserves it!! All the work he did!! ican't believe it took them so long to make it! Great job for whoever's idea it was!
freddie is the greatest ever and johnny depp is good to a movie is perfect
is this a the real life
is this just fanasy
caught in a landslide
no escape from reality
- freddie
OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG I CANT WAIT I AM A DIE HARD QUEEN FAN I LOVE EVERYTHING THERE IS ABOUT FREDDIE MERCURY OMG OMG FINALY A MOVIE ABOUT THE GREATEST ROCKERSTAR OF ALL TIME
Freddie mercury -
Johnny Depp -
:)
I Don't think Jhonny dep is anything like freddie coz no one can be like him lets just hope he can pull it off!
OMG, it would be great! Freddie Mercury and Queen is my favourite of music, and Johnny Depp is my favourite actor. Though, I also think that Johnny Depp would be a perfect Freddie.
if they give him messed up teeth im gonna beat thier arses
depp may play a good part as freddie, but in my eyes theres only one man who could do the film proud, and that the man himself.
so sad he cant do it himself, he would of loved it.
good luck though johnny. miss you freddie xx
All I have to say is... OH MY GOSH!
Two of the most droolworthy men ever to have been on this planet. Mercury for his amazing musical talents and huge range of vocal skills, Depp for his amazing acting ability and for the way everything he does translates to SEXY AS HELL!
I hope this moves forward! If it does, it will be positively amazing. I can't think of anyone I would rather see play this uber sexy man!
My favourite musician ever in the whole world played by my favourite actor, could it be any better? I think not!
WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
finally we r the champions
Johnny Depp would be perfect playig Freddie Mercury!!!
I am pleased to hear that a movie about the late Freddie Mercury is in the making. I think that with Johnny's Depp's success in Pirates,he is an excellent stand in for Freddie. Of course, we all know that no one will ever replace the late Freddie Mercury. He was sooooooo great!!! I can't wait to see it.
When is this movie coming out?
As an avid Queen fan and also a keen follower of Depp, I think the two combining can only mean good things!
Freddie's amazing style on stage left everybody speechless, and he absolutely can not be emulated...but if Brian May & Roger Taylor are happy then so am I!
Good luck Depp, it will be a ride, and I have no doubt that you will do the memory of Freddie justice!
~mr. music
oh myy goddd i'm so happy =) finaly a movie about freddie ! and johnny is an great actor...
Queen forever
I (L) mercury
OH MY GOODNESS!!!!
This is the coolest thing I've heard in a dog's age. Not only is an awesome actor but I can't think of anyone more suitable to play the role of Freddie! This is gonna ROCK!!!!
I am sooo excited!!! There is another website just like this one! If you go on GOOGLE, and type in Taylor Daley and Freddie Mercury, It'll have a lot of options, but choose, Johnny Depp as Freddie Mercury. My web name is Wando, But my REAL name is Taylor Daley. Talk to you guys later!!!
Love Always,
Taylor Daley age13
wow.. any true Queen fan would think this is horrible.. ya ok, it will be awesome to see Queen's music on the big screen.. the show.. the lights.. but Freddie? there was only one freddie mercury.. nobody can be him, let alone act. This is going to be an embarassment.. and im suprised Brian is going through with this, i know Deacon is disgusted by this for sure.. he hated Robbie Williams prefromence
johnny depp is the best, and finally they're doing a film about freddie mercury and i think that johnny depp is the perfect actor to play the legendary freddie mercury
Alex, How can you say that! I don't believe that you are a Queen fan at all! I agree, there is only ONE Freddie Mercury, but he's dead, and we all miss him terribally, but we should honor him, and that is exactly what we are doing by making a film celebrating his life, and respecting him for the STAR he was. I AM a TRUE Queen fan, and I think this is a great idea. How on Earth could you possibly dissagree? THINK before you comment back, If you have the nerve to.
Love Always,
Taylor D. age13
be true! please please pretty please!! YES, Johnnys the only one for the role. They are both so damn sexy neither sex can resist.
THIS IS AMAZING!!!!
I am OBSESSED with Freddie Mercury, and as his biggest fan, I feel I have the right to say that Johnny Depp would be a great Freddie. Freddie would be flattered!!!!!
FREDDIE MERCURY HAS BEEN THE LOVE OF MY LIFE FOR AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER. I AM SO HAPPY TO KNOW THAT THEY WILL BE MAKING A MOVIE ABOUT HIS LIFE. HE TRULY WAS AND IS AN INSPIRATION IN MY LIFE. JOHNNY DEPP WILL DO FREDDIE JUSTICE.OOOH, I AM SO EXCITED.I LOVE QUEEN SO MUCH. IT IS ABOUT TIME A MOVIE WORTH WATCHING IS GOING TO BE MADE. LOVE, KHARA
my fav band with my fav actor being in the same movie thats more than a dream
Hey, does anyone actually know when it is coming out (in Australia)? has anyone seen/heard anything?
Can't wait to see the movie,Queen was and is the most dynamic band to ever perform on stage!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I heard about this movie and can't wait to see it!!!!!
I've been a die hard Queen fan since the very beginning!
Eric McCormack (from Will & Grace) must_simply play Freddie....
I have been informed that the guy who plays borat is going to be freddie and not Johnny Depp.... sorry to burst the bubble
OMG,I can't believe! FREDDIE really deserves it!!!
I'm sure, Jonny will do it well! FREDDIE lives forever! LOVE U!!!!!
Queen was so amazing. I'm so sad that none of my friends know who they are.I mean, they know AC DC, Kiss, etc.,but why not Queen?:( If this movie does happen, then it has to be AMAZING or Queen could possibly be beat into the ground by critics and the world... If Johnny really does play Freddie, let's hope this won't be a repeat of Willy Wonka... We miss you Fred...
Chops413, I read somewhere that that guy won't play Freddie. Johnny Depp is the one who is most likely going to. The guy who played Borat wanted to, but I guess he changed his mind or they found someone better. Hopefully this movie will be one of those amazing ones. :)
Freddie lives on!
but,when happen this....i want to know...and i want to see this film poduced by robert de niro-.....1946-1991 lover of life , singer of songs I LIKE IT.........
Man I am so pysched about this upcoming movie. Freddie Mercury was fabulous and he was fine...heartthrob. I can't wait I am so excited.
...wow that would be number 1 at the box office all over the world.....
Being both a 'Baby Boomer' and an old fan of Queen, this new movie, if artistically allowed to show both the group's talent and Freddy Mercury's 'magic', will be a major hit for Johnny Depp and will tremendously magnify his already popular appeal.
Please hurry, we need cheering up!!
Was this shelved? Is it in production? I would love to see this project
come to fruition. JD would be great in his portrayal of FM...... I just know it!
While I am very fond of Johnny Depp's movies, I can't help but think that Sasha Baron Cohen would have been a better pick for the role as he was rumored to have been asked to play it. Looking forward to the upcoming flick....hope it comes out soon.
please let me play freddie,go to you tube and type 'queen live another one bites the dust,uploaded this week..
It should be Mika playing Freddie, not Johnny. He sounds EXACTLY like him!!!
The only actor who could do Freddie justice. He will rock us!!!!
Freddie was short. I think Borat is too tall. Johnny Depp is too old and not a great singer. I suggest Adam Lambert!
Maybe the world will know Freddie. The general public does not know the kindness and the full talent of this man. The greatest voice in rock history!
page: 1
dawnJan 5th, 2007 - 20:55:35
omg i cant wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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