Malek brings heart to Mercury role
NEW YORK — Rami Malek says he identified with the immigrant side of Freddie Mercury while tackling the role of the legendary Queen frontman.
The first-generation American spoke about his starring role at the New York premiere of Bohemian Rhapsody on Tuesday. The Mr. Robot star connected with Mercury’s outsider passion for success.
“I set out to be an actor, I don’t know, over a decade ago. I think something was possibly burning inside the both of us. We had aspirations to live our dream. And I’m getting a chance to do that right now, in this very moment,” Malek said.
While many aspects defined Mercury, including being one of the best vocalists to front a rock band, his flamboyant presence and a penchant for taking chances, Malek felt like he had to dig deeper to find the beating heart of the Tanzanian-born Mercury, who arrived in London at 18.
“In some way he became the Freddie Mercury superstar that overcame every obstacle imaginable, to be the guy that we all know can command the stage, and hold us in the palm of his hand like no other,” Malek said. “My family is from Egypt. I’m a first-generation American. And somehow I thought there were strings that I could tether together with him.”
Malek’s performance has more than impressed fans; it has impressed members of the band too. Current Queen lead singer Adam Lambert even feels the resemblance between the two is uncanny.
“I love the heart that he brings to the role, the sensitivity. I love that the music of this band affects people, in a way. And I know it firsthand, you know, being on tour with them for the past six years,” Lambert said.
And Malek has also captivated guitarist Brian May, who says the actor’s performance, “suspends disbelief.”
“You believe he’s Freddie,” May said.
Mike Myers, known for headbanging to Bohemian Rhapsody in his own film, Wayne’s World, has an ironic cameo playing a record executive who tries to tell the band nobody will play the song on the radio.
“I fought so hard to get Bohemian Rhapsody into Wayne’s World,” Myers said, “that I thought there was unbelievable irony, and such a crazy honour.”