The behind-the-scenes drama of “Bohemian Rhapsody” almost puts any debauchery Freddie Mercury was involved in to shame. From a troubled production, which included violent outbursts and a very public firing of the film’s director, to the post-release drama, where the film was savaged by critics, the aforementioned dismissed directors’ sexual assault accusations resurfaced, and the film becoming an almost $1 billion box office juggernaut, “Bohemian Rhapsody” was the gift that kept on giving for film journalists. And now, months later, Dexter Fletcher is here to shed some more light on what went down.
Speaking to THR, Fletcher pulls no punches in describing the mess that he inherited when Fox called him up and asked him to finish the film that previous director Bryan Singer started. Fletcher would go on to take over for Singer, with three weeks of principal photography remaining, as well as reshoots and post-production work, only to have the dismissed director’s name in the credits.
But according to Fletcher, it was star Rami Malek, as well as his producer friend Matthew Vaughn, that ultimately led him to finish the blockbuster.
“Rami was like, ‘We fucking need you, man. We need somebody,'” Fletcher revealed. “‘If you come to set and shit on the floor, you’ll still do a better job than this guy.'”
Fletcher’s name vaulted to the top of the list for Fox due to his relationship with producer Vaughn, as well as the fact that the director was attached to direct “Bohemian Rhapsody” when it was at another studio, with much more adult content.
“I was like, ‘It’s got to be R. It’s got to have fucking angst and be about an immigrant, a gay man, all the outsider values,'” Fletcher said.
He added, “[Losing the job] felt like a real boot in the teeth. It was like, ‘The money’s not there. We’re not doing it.’ But look, just because you put all your heart into something doesn’t mean to say it’s right. They [Fox] were right, $900 million right.”
As for his own personal thoughts on the alleged crimes and personal demons haunting Bryan Singer, Fletcher isn’t really interested in talking about it. However, he feels that Singer’s contributions to the success of the film are a bit overstated, as ‘Rhapsody’ is really the Rami Malek and Queen show.
Fletcher said, “In the course of time, the truth will out. Whatever it is, it’s his issues. That shit doesn’t define what this shit is. What defines [‘Rhapsody’] is Rami, that fucking music and the millions of people who go and love that film and see it.”
The director is keeping with ‘70s rock icons with his next film, “Rocketman,” which is set to hit theaters May 31. “Bohemian Rhapsody” is available on whatever medium suits you now.
