Director of Freddie Mercury biopic fired

As already reported, the Freddie Mercury biopic "Bohemian Rhapsody" is - once again - facing troubles. Now director Bryan Singer told "The Hollywood Reporter" that Twentieth Century Fox fired him after failing to show up to the film’s set following the Thanksgiving holiday.

Singer explained that one of his parents is gravely ill and he asked Fox for time off, a request which they apparently denied:

I wanted nothing more than to be able to finish this project and help honor the legacy of Freddie Mercury and Queen, but Fox would not permit me to do so because I needed to temporarily put my health, and the health of my loved ones, first. "Bohemian Rhapsody" is a passion project of mine. With fewer than three weeks to shoot remaining, I asked Fox for some time off so I could return to the U.S. to deal with pressing health matters concerning one of my parents. This was a very taxing experience, which ultimately took a serious toll on my own health. Unfortunately, the studio was unwilling to accommodate me and terminated my services. This was not my decision and it was beyond my control.

Singer also talked about his relationship with protagonist Rami Malek:

Rumors that my unexpected departure from the film was sparked by a dispute I had with Rami Malek are not true. While, at times, we did have creative differences on set, Rami and I successfully put those differences behind us and continued to work on the film together until just prior to Thanksgiving.

Fox is willing to find a new director within the coming days to finish the final two weeks of principal photography. A release date for the film was previously announced for December 25th, 2018.