Queen fans give mixed reaction to Ben Whishaw playing Freddie Mercury

Fans respond to casting - but it's not all good

Aaron Johnson - He played John Lennon in the film, Nowhere Boy, so is used to taking on the role of legendary musicians. Plus, he proved in Kick Ass that he can pull off Lycra, so Freddie's outfits wouldn't be too much of an issue.

Tags: Queen

Tuesday 10th December 2013 by Andrew Trendell | Photos by WENN

Tags: Queen

Queen fans have taken to Twitter to speak of the casting of Skyfall actor Ben Whishaw as Freddie Mercury in an upcoming biopic, giving a mixed reaction to the news.

According to reliable sources in the movie world, Whishaw has reportedly signed on to play the iconic Queen frontman following Sacha Baron Cohen's departure from the project, with rumours of a disagreement with band members over the tone and direction of the movie.

Dexter Fletcher will direct the movie, which has been penned by screenwriter Peter Morgan. The biopic will focus on Freddie Mercury's time in Queen during the seventies, and culminating in the band's legendary Live Aid performance in 1985. No release date has been announced.

Some fans have taken to Twitter to voice their glee at the decision:

Made my day to hear that Ben Whishaw has been confirmed to play Freddie Mercury & directed by Dexter Fletcher... So happy!! :D
— ☺ Beth Gibbs ☺ (@Hello_Hiccup) December 10, 2013

Finally Getting The Freddie Mercury Biopic We Deserve http://t.co/sEH6KAQ1C3 // Ben Whishaw singing Somebody To Love? I might literally die.
— Joanna Robinson (@quityourjrob) December 10, 2013

Actually best casting ever RT @RadioTimes: Ben Whishaw to play Freddie Mercury in biopic of late Queen singer's life http://t.co/TZde9E4y5t
— Kay Dekker (@kay_way) December 10, 2013

SCREAMING RT @RadioTimes: Ben Whishaw to play Freddie Mercury in biopic of late Queen singer's life http://t.co/ksDQn1Flrq
— abby (@westenrad) December 10, 2013

Pleased about Ben Whishaw playing Freddie. He did a great job of Bob Dylan
— Joanna (@JoeyMiche) December 10, 2013

Whereas others are less than satisfied:

'Ben Whishaw will be playing Freddie Mercury in the Queen movie' You could not pay me to watch that film.
— ȷack Dennisσn (@JPKD) December 10, 2013

NO BEN WHISHAW NO. BAD. STOP. NO NO NO.
— Ella (@ifonlyella) December 10, 2013

Kind of sad it's not still Sacha Baron Cohen RT@digitalspy: Ben Whishaw will star in the Freddie Mercury biopic: http://t.co/PN7fYkLSzt
— Isabel Rose Reubin (@isabelreubin) December 10, 2013

Ben Whishaw as Freddie Mercury? Please no.
— Chl Vrnr (@lajaune) December 10, 2013

Ben Whishaw to portray Freddie Mercury? Not sure how I feel about that
— Hazily Hariss @ Bobo (@hazily_h) December 10, 2013

Oh no.. RT @totalfilm: Ben Whishaw replaces Baron Cohen in the Freddie Mercury biopic & ... http://t.co/YNBR8TzNQx
— Daniel Irawan (@danieldokter) December 10, 2013

Ummm really? Not sure much as I love Ben w. "@davelee: Ben Whishaw tipped to play Freddie Mercury in upcoming biopic http://t.co/1WlHUGYVZ6”
— Helen Deller (@helsdell) December 10, 2013

Below: 10 actors who were in the running to play Freddie Mercury