"I was connected to Freddie Mercury"

Given its chaotic production, spread over more than eight years (the defection of Sacha Baron Cohen and the replacement – at short notice – of director Bryan Singer by Dexter Fletcher), we could have expected a film catastrophe. Gold Bohemian Rhapsody has a romantic breath, a communicative energy, which make it a rock and euphoric film. To trace the extraordinary destiny of the Queen group and especially its iconic singer Freddie Mercury, it was first necessary to find an actor capable of embodying this sacred monster, including its flaws and excesses. The young Rami Malek (hero of the series Mr. Robot) is breathtakingly narrow in the role of one of the most endearing and grandiloquent figures of the 1970-1980 rock scene. A film – certainly a little too smooth and mainstream – but still to be seen, if only to get carried away by the crazy melodies, baroque and pop creators of We Will Rock You .

READ ALSO – Bohemian Rhapsody: Rami Malek fails to save the biopic on Freddie Mercury

LE FIGARO. – What made you accept this rather risky role?

Rummy MALEK. – There are so many talented actors in the world, and so few opportunities to be able to show what we have in the belly. The character is so large that it was impossible to refuse such a role.

Do you remember when everything started?

Yes. Perfectly. I was in New York in full filming of the series Mr. Robot, when the phone rang. I was asked to come to Los Angeles. I usually relax on a plane. But not this time. I wondered, "How many actors are they in the running? Do they know how to sing or dance? "…

The story of this film was rather long and jostled, especially with the abandonment of Sacha Baron Cohen …

To be honest, when I left the office, I told myself that I was going to join the cohort of comedians who marched on the project for eight years … But I think that what I told them convinced them.

What were your arguments?

Although I can not sing or dance, I immediately felt that I was connected to Freddie Mercury. It was instinctive. The leader of Queen has not always been a sacred monster of rock. He was born in Zanzibar under the name of Farrokh Bulsara. He went to school in India before his family moved to London. In short, he was an immigrant. At home, my parents spoke Arabic. I spent a lot of time solving my own identity issues. Maybe that's why I turned to an artist career, to the despair of my parents. Exactly like Freddie! That's what I said to the producers: "I can offer you that!"

How did you get in the shoes of Freddie Mercury?

I did not want to give the audience a "Freddie Mercury poor" by imitating his postures and facial expressions. I looked for the man behind the star. The border was tenuous. After taking singing and piano lessons, I studied with a "movement coach" the particular gestures of Mercury. I discovered that his teeth made him uncomfortable. From the timidity of the beginnings to the beast of the 1980s, beyond the pop icon, I sought to make Freddie Mercury more human, more fragile. Including when playing with other members of the group. By the way, when we played together, we were an army with a mission! I loved it…

So, your next movie will be a biopic about the Beatles … Will you be McCartney or Lennon?

I think that with the head that I have, I will be rather Ringo Starr! (Laughter).

Bohemian Rhapsody, biopic of Bryan Singer. With Rami Malek, Mike Myers and Gwilym Lee … Duration: 2:15.