Bohemian Rhapsody star Rami Malek almost appeared as Freddie Mercury in the Elton John biopic Rocketman.
The actor, who won an Oscar for his role as the late Queen frontman earlier this year (19), came close to filming a surprise cameo in the film opposite star Taron Egerton, courtesy of director Dexter Fletcher.
Fletcher, who took over directing duties on Bohemian Rhapsody after Bryan Singer was fired, initially loved the idea of briefly cutting to Malek as the iconic singer met with manager John Reid, played by Richard Madden. Reid managed both Mercury and John and is portrayed by actor Aidan Gillen in Bohemian Rhapsody.
“There was an idea I had at one point, where Elton’s in a restaurant with his mother. I thought John Reid and Freddie could be at another table and they wave at each other,” Fletcher told Gay Star News. “That would have been amazing, but it didn’t come to pass.”
As for why the bold idea never came to be, the filmmaker worried it would have been too distracting for the audience, joking that the films are not part of a franchise the way productions like blockbuster Marvel installments are.
“It would’ve been a little too knowing,” he added. “I’m not looking to set out to make a cinematic universe.”
