Bryan Singer has received the directing credit for Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, despite being replaced by Dexter Fletcher during the latter stages of the shoot. Fletcher came on board to direct in December after Fox fired Singer from the project after repeated absences from the set had forced the studio to halt production.
Here’s what Graham King had to say in a new interview with Empire Magazine, where he addressed Singer’s abrupt exit.
Bryan Singer is the credited director of the film. Basically, Bryan had some personal issues going on. He wanted to hiatus the movie to deal with them, and the movie had to get finished. That was what it came down to… It wasn’t about reinventing the wheel. We needed someone who would have some creative freedom, but work inside a box. (Fletcher) did us a real favor.
There were reports that Singer was “fired” due to his vanishing act, plus some on-set clashes he had with star Rami Malek, including one incident where he reportedly threw a chair at his star. When Bryan Singer stopped showing up to the Bohemian Rhapsody set, he reportedly needed to tend to a pressing medical situation for one of his parents. Singer was denied the request from the studio, which ultimately led to his decision to leave the project altogether. In response, Fox severed all ties with the director and his projects.
There were other reports that claimed the director displayed “bad behavior” on the set, often showing up to work hungover, or worse. There was speculation that there might be another accusation of sexual misconduct levied against him, and just days later, Singer was sued for allegedly raping a 17-year-old boy.
The upcoming Freddie Mercury biopic will arrive in theaters on November 2.
Source: Collider
