Movies: Singer Out, Fletcher in for Freddie Mercury biopic

Director Dexter Fletcher has been hired to complete the upcoming Freddie Mercury biopic ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ following Bryan Singer’s exit.

X-Men director Singer was fired by 20th Century Fox from the movie last week. Production had been halted after Singer failed to return to the set after Thanksgiving. His publicist attributed this to a “personal health matter concerning Bryan and his family”.

Fox has now announced that Fletcher, whose previous directing credits include ‘Eddie The Eagle’ and ‘Sunshine On Leith’, has been hired to replace Singer. Shooting is due to resume next week.

When Singer’s firing was announced, it was reported that ‘Mr Robot’ star Rami Malek, who stars as Mercury in the movie, had complained to the studio about the director’s ‘unprofessionalism’ – with the pair reportedly involved in a number of altercations.

‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ is currently slated for a release date of December 25, 2018.