Rami Malek to play Freddie Mercury in biopic 'Bohemian Rhapsody'

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- Emmy Award-winning actor Rami Malek of Mr. Robot fame is to play the late Queen front man Freddie Mercury in the biopic Bohemian Rhapsody.

X-Men: Apocalypse director Bryan Singer is to helm the New Regency and Fox project, which Anthony McCarten wrote and Graham King is producing, Variety reported.

Sacha Baron Cohen was initially set to star in the long-gestating project, but he dropped out.

Mercury's original band mates Brian May and Roger Taylor will serve as music producers on the film.

"bryanjaysinger#bohemianrhapsody #queen #freddiemercury #brianmay #rogertaylor #johndeacon #grahamking #fox #newregency Looking forward to @ramimalek @whoismrrobot playing #Freddie photo @therealmickrock," Singer captioned a photo of the real-life "We Will Rock You" and "Under Pressure" band in an Instagram post Friday.