Queen tip Ben Whishaw for Freddie Mercury role in singer’s bio

PanARMENIAN.Net - Queen would like Ben Whishaw to take the lead role in the proposed Freddie Mercury biopic, drummer Roger Taylor has revealed, according to Digital Spy.

Appearing on The One Show on Friday (October 18), Taylor told presenters Alex Jones and Chris Evans that the group hoped the Skyfall actor would play their late bandmate, following Sacha Baron Cohen's departure from the project.

The Borat star left the role in July over creative differences with the rest of Queen over his portrayal of Mercury, with Taylor stating they didn't want the film to be "a joke".

The drummer teased the band's preference to take on the role, telling Evans and Jones that the actor's initials were BW. When Jones suggested Whishaw's name, Taylor replied: "Well, we hope so."

Devil's Double actor Dominic Cooper was recently linked to the role, while Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe has denied speculation that he is lined up to star as the iconic singer.

Whishaw, who played MI6's Q in last year's Skyfall, will next appear in TV movie Foxtrot for Sky.