Queen’s current vocalist Adam Lambert has praised Rami Malek’s portrayal of rock icon Freddie Mercury in a new biopic.
The Queen frontman passed away from an AIDS related illness in 1991, and the American Idol alumni has joined them on tour as Queen + Adam Lambert since 2011.
Rami stars as Freddie in Bohemian Rhapsody, and Adam says he is delighted with how the Mr. Robot actor has captured the essence of the rock icon.
“From what I saw, his portrayal is a very sensitive one and a very respectful one,” he tells Britain’s Daily Mirror newspaper. “I think it gets to the sensitive side of Freddie really well and I’m excited to see the whole thing.”
The 36-year-old also feels that director Dexter Fletcher’s movie really captures the music that has made Queen one of the biggest bands of all time.
“I really liked it and I loved the way they explored the musicality of the band and of Freddie and his process as a songwriter,” he adds. “I was impressed.”
The biopic has been in the works for a decade, having been hit by production woes, including the departure of its original star Sacha Baron Cohen, and then the firing of director Bryan Singer midway through filming.
However, Adam is confident the cast and crew have nailed it, saying: “I think good things are worth waiting for. Casting had to be right, the right team, the right timing.”
Rami has already had to defend the film against accusations it minimises Freddie’s bisexuality and AIDS battle, telling U.K. magazine Attitude that it did not “shy away” from those aspects of his life.
