Sacha Baron Cohen Exits Freddie Mercury Biopic

Sacha Baron Cohen has ankled GK Films’ untitled Freddie Mercury biopic over “creative differences,” his manager confirmed to Variety.

Cohen, who first signed on to the project in September of 2010, clashed with producers over the film’s tone. GK is producing in partnership with Robert De Niro’s and Jane Rosenthal’s Tribeca Prods. and Queen Films.

News of Cohen’s departure was first reported by Variety sister publication Deadline.

Mercury, a native of Zanzibar, formed Queen in 1970 and served as lead singer until his death in 1991 at the age of 45. Queen has sold more than 170 million albums. Its best-known titles — all sporting powerful vocals from Mercury — include “We Will Rock You,” “We Are the Champions” and “Bohemian Rhapsody.”

WME and Forefront Media rep Cohen, who has been going full steam ahead on another project currently in pre-production at Paramount. Cohen wrote and plans to star in the untitled spy spoof, and has already taken a number of meetings with potential directors including Louis Leterrier and DJ Caruso.

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