Peter Morgan pulled out of "Mercury" film

Maybe that's already old news, but just came across that article (source: Austrian Queen Fan Club Vienna).
So according to an Austrian radio interview (from 6.1.2012) with[b]  screenwriter Peter Morgan[/b] he [b]has pulled out of the "Mercury" film project[/b].
Interview can be read and heard here (in German):

[url=http://fm4.orf.at/stories/1692696/][b]http://fm4.orf.at/stories/1692696/[/b][/url]
Fom minute 11:15 to 15:27 Peter Morgan talks about film of Freddie Mercury.

Excerpt (German):
„Dafür habe ich das Drehbuch für den neuen James Bond sausen lassen. Ich steckte zu tief in der Mercury-Arbeit, aber letztlich wollte ich nicht zwischen einem ambitionierten Produzenten, einem sehr ambitionierten Regisseur, den überambitionierten Ex-Queen-Bandmitgliedern und dem genialen Sacha Baron Cohen, der Freddie spielen soll, zerrieben werden. Zuviele Wünsche und Vorstellungen, die unter einen Hut gebracht werden wollen. Also bin ich ausgestiegen.“

Attempt of translation (google & bing, so it may look strange):
[b]"For the Mercury project I skipped the screenplay for the new James Bond. I stuck too deep in the Mercury-work, but ultimately I did not want being crushed between an ambitious producer, a very ambitious director, ambitious ex-Queen band members and the brilliant Sacha Baron Cohen. Too many wishes and ideas which had to be brought under one hat (reconciled). So I got out. "

[/b]KYA, Bernie

Please dont make a Mercury film.. please.. please.. please....

That's not a big surprise

The subject of the film needs a high degree of objectivity given the sensitivity of the issues involved

The remaining Queen members are too close to the subject to be unrestrained

My feeling is that BM might be the stumbiling block here, on his soapbox he can be erm...just a tad defensive

Given the trend now in movies to play up the gay aspect as seen in the recent films such as J Edgar and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, I think the film-makers would most likely want to capitalize on Freddie's sexuality to sell the film, and this may be the stumbling block between the band members and the film production side.

I would be glad if the film does not materialize.

I'm personally disappointed. Yes, I wouldn't want a sensationalist film that focuses too much on his sexuality (although it shouldn't be ignored), but at the same time, I would love to see a film about Freddie. Not only would it help enhance his fame in the US, but if done well, I think it could be really fun. We've had films about Ray Charles, Buddy Holly, John Lennon and Johnny Cash (among others), why not one about Freddie Mercury? :D

This will be great for the movie about the making of the movie. Things like this have to happen.

[QUOTE]

[b]mooghead wrote: [/b] Please dont make a Mercury film.. please.. please.. please....[/QUOTE]

Don't worry... they're not.

Doesn't surprise me either. Dr May has been too close to this project from day one. Freddie once said something along the lines "if there is ever going to be a book or a film about me, it should show both the good and the bad side". My feeling is that Peter Morgan was trying to do exactly that and Brian couldn't go along with such an approach. It's a shame, because Peter Morgan is a great scriptwriter and we have been waiting for this film for yeeeaaarrrrssss.

More time on the boxset! and more dvds!!

All that Brian cares for these days is stereo 3d, Kerry Ellis and saving rodents. And that's it.

Freddie has already become a legend. What kind of biography?

Let's not jump to conclusions against Brian on this. It's a bit presumptuous to do so. And even if Brian is heavily involved, so what. He knows Freddie better than we do

Disappointed to hear this. I was really looking forward to this movie. A Freddie biopic is long overdue.

Does sound like Brian could be the main reason. I think we can all guess how over the top gay any film would make him out to be (and maybe they'd be close),

Films like this have to take on some of the worst parts of a persons personality and this film would be no different.

Glad it's binned.

k-m wrote: "It's a shame, because Peter Morgan is a great scriptwriter and we have been waiting for this film for yeeeaaarrrrssss."

I feel the same way. :D

The Flash Danny Project wrote: "A Freddie biopic is long overdue."

Completely agree, I would be quite annoyed if a Freddie biopic is never made, after one has been made about so many other artists.