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Dexter Fletcher to direct 'Bohemian Rhapsody' after Bryan Singer's firing

By Wade Sheridan
Filmmaker Dexter Fletcher is taking over "Bohemian Rhapsody" in director Bryan Singer's place. File Photo by Michael Owen Baker/UPI
1 of 3 | Filmmaker Dexter Fletcher is taking over "Bohemian Rhapsody" in director Bryan Singer's place. File Photo by Michael Owen Baker/UPI | License Photo

Dec. 7 (UPI) -- Fox has hired filmmaker Dexter Fletcher as the new director of Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody following the firing of Bryan Singer.

Production on the film is set to resume next week in London with Fletcher at the helm, noted The Hollywood Reporter.

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Fletcher has previously directed Eddie the Eagle for Fox and Wild Bill. He also acted in films such as Kick-Ass and Stardust.

There remains about two more weeks of shooting on Bohemian Rhapsody, Variety noted, citing sources.

Fletcher joins the production after Singer was fired on Monday after he failed to show up to set on multiple occasions.

Singer, a staple at Fox who has helmed multiple entries in their X-Men franchise, disputed the studio's claims and released a statement through his attorney Andrew B. Brettler saying that he was not given time to deal with an illness in the family and his own health.

"I wanted nothing more than to be able to finish this project and help honor the legacy of Freddie Mercury and Queen, but Fox would not permit me to do so because I needed to temporarily put my health, and the health of my loved ones, first," Singer said and also dismissed rumors about having a dispute with the film's star Rami Malek who is playing Queen lead singer Freddie Mercury.

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Bohemian Rhapsody, scripted by Anthony McCarten, with Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor serving as music producers, will follow the years leading up the band's Live Aid concert in 1985.

The cast also includes Allen Leech as Mercury's personal manager Paul Prenter, Ben Hardy as Taylor, Gwilym Lee as May and Joe Mazzello as John 'Decay' Deacon, the bassist and composer who handled Queen's financial dealings.

The film is still set for release on Dec. 25, 2018.

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