A sequel to Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody could be on the way
A sequel to Queen’s blockbuster biopic Bohemian Rhapsody is being seriously discussed, according to a filmmaker close to the band.
Austrian film producer and director, Rudi Dolezal, who has helmed several Queen music videos including ‘These Are the Days of Our Lives’ and ‘The Show Must Go On’, told PageSix he believes the band and their management are lining up a follow-up to the movie.
Commenting on the band’s legendary long-term manager Jim Beach, who also produced Bohemian Rhapsody, Dolezal said: “I’m sure he plans a sequel that starts with Live Aid.”
Tantalisingly, he added that the follow-up film is now “being heavily discussed in the Queen family.”
If Dolezal’s comments are indeed true, it would come as no surprise as Bohemian Rhapsody was a gargantuan box office smash raking in an estimated £663million globally against a budget of £44million.
Despite initially receiving a lukewarm response from critics and only holding a 61% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Bohemian Rhapsody has scooped multiple awards including four Oscars (including Best Actor for Rami Malek), two BAFTAs and two Golden Globes.
Released digitally and on Blu-ray, DVD & 4K Ultra HD earlier this month, the home release of Bohemian Rhapsody comes with an extended 22-minute sequence of Live Aid.
Every song and move from Queen’s historic set at Wembley Stadium in July 1985 was replicated for Bohemian Rhapsody, however only part of it made the final cut of the cinematic release.
Speaking to Newsweek earlier this year, Queen guitarist Brian May said he was blown away and “delighted” by the success: “Nobody expected it to be that huge. We thought it would do quite well. We didn't expect it to be a record-breaking blockbuster.”
He also praised Rami Malek for his “colossal” performance as Freddie Mercury, saying: “What an incredible performance he gives. He just became Freddie.”
Last month, Queen announced details of a new two-hour documentary called The Show Must Go On - The Queen + Adam Lambert Story.
Produced by Jim Beach and acclaimed writer and filmmaker Simon Lupton, the documentary will air on the ABC Television Network on Monday 29th April ahead of Queen + Adam Lambert’s completely sold-out North American ‘Rhapsody’ tour. A UK release date hasn’t been confirmed.