Fox has fired Bryan Singer as director of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” three days after his repeated absences from the set had forced the studio to halt production.
“Bryan Singer is no longer the director of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody,’” the studio said Monday. Fox did not elaborate.
Filming has been taking place in London with “Mr. Robot” star Rami Malek in the lead role as Freddie Mercury. New Regency and GK Films are the production companies. The producers are Graham King, Singer and Jim Beach. Denis O’Sullivan, Arnon Milchan and Jane Rosenthal are the executive producers.
A source said the decision was caused by Singer’s repeated failure to show up on the set, which forced Fox to shut down the production on Dec. 1. A new director has not been named.
As a result of Singer’s absences, the cinematographer Thomas Newton Sigel had to step in to direct on some of the days while Singer was missing. Sources said Malek had complained about what he perceived as Singer’s lack of professionalism.
Singer, who is 52, has directed films including “The Usual Suspects,” four X-Men movies including last year’s “X-Men: Apocalypse,” “Jack the Giant Slayer” and “Superman Returns.”
Ben Hardy is playing drummer Roger Taylor. Gwilym Lee (“The Hollow Crown”) will portray lead guitarist Brian May and Joe Mazzello (“The Social Network”) will tackle the role of bass guitarist John Deacon. Lucy Boynton is playing Mary Austin, lifelong companion of Mercury.
Mercury wrote numerous hits for Queen, including “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Killer Queen,” “Somebody to Love,” “Don’t Stop Me Now,” “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” and “We Are the Champions.”
Mercury formed Queen with May and Taylor in 1970 and died of complications from HIV/AIDS in 1991 at the age of 45.
Justin Haythe wrote the script. The film is slated for U.S. release on Dec. 25, 2018.
