Peter Morgan to Write Film About Rock Group Queen; Sacha Baron Cohen to Star

Playwright Peter Morgan will write a new film about the rock group Queen, with Sacha Baron Cohen signed on to star as frontman Freddie Mercury, according to published reports. No director is attached to the project.

The film, will follow the band from its early years to its performance at Live Aid in 1985, six years before Mercury died from AIDS complications at age 45. It will reportedly include the band’s biggest hits, including “We Are the Champions,” “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “We Will Rock You,” “Another One Bites the Dust” and “You’re My Best Friend.”

Morgan is best known for Frost/Nixon, for which he also wrote the screenplay. He also penned the film The Queen and the HBO telefilm The Special Relationship.

Cohen is best known for the film Borat, and also appeared in the film version of Sweeney Todd.