# Sacha Baron Cohen to play Freddie Mercury **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 17, 2010, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sacha-baron-cohen-to-play-freddie-mercury/554050 "2010-09-17T04:40:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![ministryman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@ministryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ministryman)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2010, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sacha-baron-cohen-to-play-freddie-mercury/554050/21 "2010-09-17T17:52:44Z")
> [@fuzzypickles](#): > > > [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > > > I can’t believe he’d be doing his own vocals, though. > > Could _anyone_ do Freddie’s vocals? Adam Lambert ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2010, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sacha-baron-cohen-to-play-freddie-mercury/554050/22 "2010-09-17T18:15:29Z")
Adam Lambert is way too gay to play Freddie Mercury, though. ---
**Author:** ![Clawdio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d07c76/32.png) [@Clawdio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clawdio)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2010, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sacha-baron-cohen-to-play-freddie-mercury/554050/23 "2010-09-17T18:21:47Z")
> [@fuzzypickles](#): > > > [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > > > I can’t believe he’d be doing his own vocals, though. > > Could _anyone_ do Freddie’s vocals? I’m 29 years old, and I did not remember Freddie being the amazing singer everyone says he was… this was untill i binged on a bunch of youtube videos of the Live Aid performance a few months back. He was one of a kind, and they will have their hands full finding someone to _try_ to cover the vocals. ---
**Author:** ![bramma23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@bramma23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bramma23)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2010, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sacha-baron-cohen-to-play-freddie-mercury/554050/24 "2010-09-17T19:11:19Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > That’s actually a very good choice as far as look, and I’m certain he has the acting chops. I can’t believe he’d be doing his own vocals, though. He sang his own part in Sweeney Todd. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2010, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sacha-baron-cohen-to-play-freddie-mercury/554050/25 "2010-09-17T19:13:23Z")
Yes, but there’s singing and there’s singing like Freddie Mercury. ---
**Author:** ![Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maggie_the_Ocelot)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2010, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sacha-baron-cohen-to-play-freddie-mercury/554050/26 "2010-09-17T19:15:26Z")
> [@yojimbo](#): > > > [@Chefguy](#): > > > > George Michael. I believe the band even approached him to perform with them after Freddie’s death. He declined. > > He was great on stage with Queen at Freddie’s tribute gig. > > [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8c7x2JD\_j-0](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8c7x2JD_j-0) Thirded. ---
**Author:** ![DonLogan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/51bf81/32.png) [@DonLogan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DonLogan)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2010, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sacha-baron-cohen-to-play-freddie-mercury/554050/27 "2010-09-17T19:59:13Z")
As long as the script is good, Cohen should be able to hit it out of the park. ---
**Author:** ![bucketybuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@bucketybuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bucketybuck)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2010, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sacha-baron-cohen-to-play-freddie-mercury/554050/28 "2010-09-17T22:06:12Z")
> [@Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](#): > > > [@yojimbo](#): > > > > He was great on stage with Queen at Freddie’s tribute gig. > > > > [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8c7x2JD\_j-0](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8c7x2JD_j-0) > > Thirded. He was great playing with Queen, but he didnt sound like Freddie Mercury, he sounded like George Micheal… Kind of a drawback that. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2010, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sacha-baron-cohen-to-play-freddie-mercury/554050/29 "2010-09-17T22:23:24Z")
Bear in mind that a LOT of the high vocals Queen was famous for were not performed by Freddy Mercury. Drummer Roger Taylor did a LOT of the most memorable falsetto singing. ---
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2010, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sacha-baron-cohen-to-play-freddie-mercury/554050/30 "2010-09-17T22:49:10Z")
I think Cohen can pull it off. Freddie isn’t still revered for his vocals, but for his sheer entertainment value. THAT is what the movie will focus on. Everyone already knows what Freddie sounds like as everyone’s heard him! Not everyone’s SEEN him, them, the art…and I think a tribute film is a great idea. Looking forward to it. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2010, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sacha-baron-cohen-to-play-freddie-mercury/554050/31 "2010-09-18T14:16:27Z")
> [@bucketybuck](#): > > > [@Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](#): > > > > Thirded. > > He was great playing with Queen, but he didnt sound like Freddie Mercury, he sounded like George Micheal… > > Kind of a drawback that. That sort of reaction is probably why he turned them down. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2010, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sacha-baron-cohen-to-play-freddie-mercury/554050/32 "2010-09-18T14:47:41Z")
Gee, if they only had recordings of Freddy Mercury’s voice that Cohen could lip sync to, the problem will be solved. If anyone could find these, I’m sure the producers would be indebted to them. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2010, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sacha-baron-cohen-to-play-freddie-mercury/554050/33 "2010-09-18T15:42:25Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > Gee, if they only had recordings of Freddy Mercury’s voice that Cohen could lip sync to, the problem will be solved. > > If anyone could find these, I’m sure the producers would be indebted to them. Lol Though keep in mind no one’s gonna like the fact that he lip synched it all, movie goers aren’t that forgiving. Personally I think SBC is gonna be GREAT at this. Amidst his Borat/Ali G/Bruno crap he does have some good roles under his belt and I believe that he will do this very well ---
**Author:** ![shy\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a6a055/32.png) [@shy\_guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shy_guy)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2010, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sacha-baron-cohen-to-play-freddie-mercury/554050/34 "2010-09-18T15:50:31Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > Gee, if they only had recordings of Freddy Mercury’s voice that Cohen could lip sync to, the problem will be solved. > > If anyone could find these, I’m sure the producers would be indebted to them. I was thinking this, too. I know that the trend is to have the actors playing the figure record covers of the figure’s song in biopics, but it isn’t necessary, really, except to the extent that it might be distracting to know that Cohen is lip-syncing. That said, we all know that Cohen, in all likelihood, can’t sing like Freddie Mercury, so he’ll be lip-syncing to _someone_, anyway. If they do decide to record covers, I second (or third, or whatever) the nomination for Mika. He’s not as good as Mercury (who is?) but he comes closest. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2010, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sacha-baron-cohen-to-play-freddie-mercury/554050/35 "2010-09-18T16:53:02Z")
If he lip syncs, there would be no good reason at all not to use Freddie’s actual voice. ---
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2010, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sacha-baron-cohen-to-play-freddie-mercury/554050/36 "2010-09-18T17:32:37Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > If he lip syncs, there would be no good reason at all not to use Freddie’s actual voice. This. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2010, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sacha-baron-cohen-to-play-freddie-mercury/554050/37 "2010-09-18T17:51:30Z")
> [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > Though keep in mind no one’s gonna like the fact that he lip synched it all, movie goers aren’t that forgiving. True, I still remember the anger and calls for boycotts when [Sweet Dreams](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090110/) was released, by movie goers who couldn’t stand the fact that Patsy Cline’s voice was lip synced by Jessica Lange. All those Patsy Cline and country fans, the Jessica Lange fans, not to mention all those regular movie goers who knew little about Patsy and were probably hearing most of Patsy’s songs for the first time, were just livid because they wanted to hear someone OTHER than Patsy coming out of Lange’s mouth. Or maybe I was dreaming. Oh yeah, hold on, that was a dream. Seriously, what? What moviegoers are you talking about? What examples are you thinking about where a famous singer’s voice was lip synced and people complained? Who cared, when? I think you’ve got it turned around. If they DON’T go for the lip sync, they’ll piss off their core audience, Freddie Mercury/Queen/rock/music fans who are already going to be in harsh critic mode going in, waiting to judge Cohen on his performance. Those of the general public who go see the film won’t care one way or the other going in, but it’ll be obvious right away that’s something’s wrong if the music’s not the real thing. The actors will almost certainly have to lip sync no matter what. What comes out of their mouth while they’re on the set filming, whether talking or singing, is very often replaced in post-production with [ADR](http://www.filmsound.org/terminology/adr.htm). The singing would be much more likely to be replaced in ADR and Dio’s right, since they’re going to have to stick some music in there, it might as well be the original. Besides, if the film is packed wall-to-wall with Queen music, as it should be, they’d have to re-record it all to get rid of the stark contrast between real and fake Queen. Better to just use the real thing all the way through. There’s already going to be a fake Freddie, probably a very good one, but still fake, so please let us us have the real music. The only thing that would keep me from being there opening day is if they don’t lip sync. I’d see it anyway at some point, but I wouldn’t be anywhere near as excited. Freddie by himself is a great story I do want to see, but Freddie + Queen and the music is magical, lightning-in-a-bottle stuff. Why take away half of what made Freddie Freddie? > [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > Personally I think SBC is gonna be GREAT at this. Amidst his Borat/Ali G/Bruno crap he does have some good roles under his belt and I believe that he will do this very well I agree with this. He’ll be amazing. He’s got the weight of Freddie’s legacy on his shoulders and he’s going to rise to the challenge and blow everybody away. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2010, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sacha-baron-cohen-to-play-freddie-mercury/554050/38 "2010-09-18T18:24:33Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > True, I still remember the anger and calls for boycotts when [Sweet Dreams](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090110/) was released, by movie goers who couldn’t stand the fact that Patsy Cline’s voice was lip synced by Jessica Lange. All those Patsy Cline and country fans, the Jessica Lange fans, not to mention all those regular movie goers who knew little about Patsy and were probably hearing most of Patsy’s songs for the first time, were just livid because they wanted to hear someone OTHER than Patsy coming out of Lange’s mouth. Sissy Spacek too, in similar fashion, and similar role. Sacha will be fine - he’s a fantastic actor. ---
**Author:** ![Earthbound\_Misfit\_I](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dec6dc/32.png) [@Earthbound\_Misfit\_I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earthbound_Misfit_I)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2010, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sacha-baron-cohen-to-play-freddie-mercury/554050/39 "2010-09-18T20:04:52Z")
I, for one won’t be watching the movie. Nobody can even come close to Freddie as far as his charisma and charm. I am even insulted that Queen went on performing using the Queen name after Freddie died. Queen is not Queen without Freddie Mercury. Nobody can replace him, IMO. > [@Cubsfan](#): > > [http://movies.yahoo.com/news/movies.reuters.com/borat-star-play-freddie-mercury-movie-reuters;\_ylt=Ah2KJ8y01DLc8YMD63IoJxpfVXcA](http://movies.yahoo.com/news/movies.reuters.com/borat-star-play-freddie-mercury-movie-reuters;_ylt=Ah2KJ8y01DLc8YMD63IoJxpfVXcA) > > Hmmm… Will it work? I think he can certainly pull off the look. ---
**Author:** ![Earthbound\_Misfit\_I](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dec6dc/32.png) [@Earthbound\_Misfit\_I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earthbound_Misfit_I)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2010, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sacha-baron-cohen-to-play-freddie-mercury/554050/40 "2010-09-18T20:30:02Z")
Oh man, did Freddie have a voice or what? He is simply one of a kind. Those who have said he isn’t known for his voice and was known more for his persona (that was fantastic, also) haven’t listened to enough Freddie Mercury. > [@Clawdio](#): > > > [@fuzzypickles](#): > > > > Could _anyone_ do Freddie’s vocals? > > I’m 29 years old, and I did not remember Freddie being the amazing singer everyone says he was… this was untill i binged on a bunch of youtube videos of the Live Aid performance a few months back. He was one of a kind, and they will have their hands full finding someone to _try_ to cover the vocals. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sacha-baron-cohen-to-play-freddie-mercury/554050.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sacha-baron-cohen-to-play-freddie-mercury/554050.md?page=3)