Yesterday, after weeks of erratic behavior and fights with the cast, Bryan Singer was fired from the set of Bohemian Rhapsody, the new Queen biopic. It didn’t take the maligned filmmaker long to reply.
Singer released a statement regarding his firing – unannounced, unplanned absences from the set and arguments with star Rami Malek are said to be the main factors – and says something about an ill parent and it’s all Fox’s fault and… yeah:
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. 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. 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.
So you see, the studio is to blame. Not Singer for his weird behavior, or for throwing an object at Malek during an argument, or for the real reason this is all happening right now: Singer’s well-documented and seedy sexual misconduct history.
Perhaps Bryan Singer is having family health issues. It could be true. But it could also be a gross coverup for the real reason he’s been acting weird. The walls might be closing in, and just like when you forgot to turn in your essay in Freshman composition, you use the sick family member excuse.
The coincidences here are undeniable. Like Ricky Jay says in Magnolia, “this is not just, one of those things. It cannot be that.”
Bryan Singer’s production company, Bad Hat Harry, has also been removed from the lot. Which seems like an odd move for someone who was fired over ailing parents. A new director for Bohemian Rhapsody, which has only a couple of weeks of filming left on the schedule, is expected to be announced soon. Stay tuned!
