Bryan Singer fired from Queen biopic after no-shows, clashes with Rami Malek
Bryan Singer bites the dust – but apparently not for the reason many have been anticipating.
The director of the X-Men movies has been fired from the Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, Mashable has confirmed, reportedly over clashes with the film's star Rami Malek and others. Tension on the set caused Singer to no-show several times, forcing the film's cinematographer to step in on multiple occasions, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
In one particularly tense moment, Malek – who's playing Freddie Mercury – got into an altercation in which Singer threw an object. Another source tells THR that Singer claims he didn't return after the Thanksgiving break because he's suffering from PTSD due to the toxic environment on set.
At first it was reported that the matter had been revolved and that Singer would return. But a Twentieth Century Fox Film spokesperson confirmed Monday that Singer "is no longer the director of Bohemian Rhapsody."
News of trouble started brewing on Friday, when it was reported that production was suspended due to Singer's "unexpected availability."
The first thing that sprang to mind for many: Perhaps Singer was finally facing consequences for multiple sexual misconduct allegations that have dogged him in recent years, but have yet to result in consequences. No criminal charges have ever been filed, and Singer maintains that the accusations are "outrageous, vicious and completely false."
While Singer's behavior lead to him being dropped from Bohemian Rhapsody, he apparently continues to evade repercussions for the sexual misconduct allegations – an unusual anomaly in the current climate of Hollywood, where studios are instantly distancing themselves from anyone who comes under scrutiny.
No word yet on his replacement, but an announcement is expected in the next few days.
On Monday, Singer released a statement to The Hollywood Reporter:
Bohemian Rhapsody is a passion project of mine. With fewer than three weeks to shoot remaining, I asked Fox for some time off so I could return to the U.S. to deal with pressing health matters concerning one of my parents. This was a very taxing experience, which ultimately took a serious toll on my own health. Unfortunately, the studio was unwilling to accommodate me and terminated my services. This was not my decision and it was beyond my control.
Rumors that my unexpected departure from the film was sparked by a dispute I had with Rami Malek are not true. While, at times, we did have creative differences on set, Rami and I successfully put those differences behind us and continued to work on the film together until just prior to Thanksgiving. I wanted nothing more than to be able to finish this project and help honor the legacy of Freddie Mercury and Queen, but Fox would not permit me to do so because I needed to temporarily put my health, and the health of my loved ones, first.
Topics Activism
Jess is an LA-based culture critic who covers intimacy in the digital age, from sex and relationship to weed and all media (tv, games, film, the web). Previously associate editor at Kill Screen, you can also find her words on Vice, The Atlantic, Rolling Stone, Vox, and others. She is a Brazilian-Swiss American immigrant with a love for all things weird and magical.
