While there seems to be a lot of anticipation for Rami Malek’s take on the iconic Queen frontman in the upcoming Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, the film has found itself coming in for some criticism during its marketing campaign, particularly off the back of the first trailer and synopsis.
These seemed to almost completely gloss over Mercury’s sexuality and his battle against AIDS, leading many to question the film’s authenticity. Some went even further, such as Hannibal and American Gods’ Bryan Fuller, who accused 20th Century Fox of “hetwashing”.
During an interview with Attitude magazine, Rami Malek has addressed the criticisms, stating that he hopes people don’t judge the movie based upon the first trailer:
“It’s difficult. First, let me say that I don’t think the film shies away from his sexuality or his all-consuming disease, which is obviously AIDS. I don’t know how you could avoid any of that, or if anyone would ever want to. It’s a bit absurd that anyone’s judging this from a minute trailer.
“You can’t shy away from it. It was an important moment to have in the film, one that ultimately is very sad but also empowering in a way. It shows you just how resilient human beings can be and how much we rely on the strength of our friends and family to get us through tough times.
“This pandemic is still very much a horrific threat to so many people in the world. It exists as a reality for so many that I think it would be a shame not to address it.”
SEE ALSO: Bohemian Rhapsody clip shows the recording of the iconic title song
Bohemian Rhapsody is a foot-stomping celebration of Queen, their music and their extraordinary lead singer Freddie Mercury, who defied stereotypes and shattered convention to become one of the most beloved entertainers on the planet. The film traces the meteoric rise of the band through their iconic songs and revolutionary sound, their near-implosion as Mercury’s lifestyle spirals out of control, and their triumphant reunion on the eve of Live Aid, where Mercury, facing a life-threatening illness, leads the band in one of the greatest performances in the history of rock music. In the process, cementing the legacy of a band that were always more like a family, and who continue to inspire outsiders, dreamers and music lovers to this day.
Bohemian Rhapsody is set for release on October 24th in the UK and on November 2nd in the US and features a cast that includes Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury, Ben Hardy as Roger Taylor, Gwilym Lee as Brian May, Joe Mazzello as John Deacon, Lucy Boynton as Mary Austin, Aaron McCusker as Jim Hutton, Aidan Gillen as John Reid, Tom Hollander as Jim Beach, Allen Leech as Paul Prenter and Mike Myers in an as-yet-unrevealed role.
