I can play her Majesty, but fell to pieces when we met
THE little-known actor who brought Freddie Mercury back to life is backed for another blockbuster role... as Michael Jackson.
Rami Malek is a favourite to land a Golden Globe tonight and an Oscar next month for his highly acclaimed portrayal of the Queen frontman in hit movie Bohemian Rhapsody.
It is already the highest-earning music biopic, taking more than £565million worldwide so far, as well as triggering other big-budget films about icons including John Lennon.
Now Jackson’s family wants Rami to play their Moonwalking relative in a new film about the King of Pop.
A synopsis has been penned by two top screenwriters, reportedly with the approval of Jackson’s estate and is being offered to the highest bidder among Hollywood’s major studios.
A source close to Michael’s mother Katherine Jackson, 88, said: “She has long dreamed of a movie that really captures her most famous son and was completely enthralled by Rami.
“Her sons Tito and Jermaine managed to get an early copy of Bohemian Rhapsody before it hit the big screen and they played it for Katherine. She didn’t care too much for the story of Freddie Mercury’s life but she was completely charmed by Rami, who she feels has that same childlike quality Michael possessed.”
Tito and Jermaine’s brothers – and former Jackson 5 members – Marlon and Jackie agree that Malek, 37, who is the son of Egyptian immigrants, could handle playing Michael.
The King of Pop’s singing sisters Janet, La Toya and Rebbie are also on board, as are his children Michael Jr, 21, Paris, 20 and 16-year-old Prince Michael Jackson II.
Nicole Kidman, 51, is up for best actress in a drama film for her role in the crime thriller Destroyer. THE CROWN’S new star has told how she got into a right royal mess when she came face to face with the Queen.
Olivia Colman, who will play the monarch in the hit drama – and is tipped for a Golden Globe tonight for her role as Queen Anne in new film The Favourite – said: “It happened by accident.
“I went to a British Film Institute reception at Windsor Castle, which I just thought would be film people having a chat.
“I ended up in a queue that went around a corner and there was The Queen and Prince Philip. I didn’t know what to do!
“A man in epaulettes said, ‘Don’t overdo it, just give a little bow’. The next thing I knew I was going up to her, but I tripped over and I did it all wrong.
“Let’s just say, I didn’t cover myself in glory. So it wasn’t really a meeting – I just shook her hand and b ****** d off!”
Olivia, 44, said: “The more I learn about our current Queen, the more I’m impressed by her as a human being.
“She took to her vow as a young woman to do her job very well and she has done. Not many people have stuck to their guns from their 20s to their 90s in the way she has. I take my hat off to her.
“There are an awful lot of things that could have gone wrong in this country, but we had that mainstay, that force at the top keeping it all neutral. And I wouldn’t want the royals’ job for anything, but I’m grateful to them.”
Fans can see Olivia’s Crown debut on Netflix later this year.
She said: “I sort of hope the Queen doesn’t watch it. But I suppose she’s seen so many things about herself by now, she’s probably over having any reaction.”
Another Briton hoping for a Golden Globe is Bodyguard star Richard Madden – who revealed a win could secure his chances of being the next James Bond.
Richard, 32, won critical acclaim for his role in the BBC One drama and has since been tipped to take over as 007 from Daniel Craig.
He now thinks a coveted gong will push him closer to his dream role, admitting it “certainly wouldn’t harm my chances, would it?”.
But he added: “I’m more than flattered. All this is completely unexpected. Win or lose, just being here is a career high.”
However, he said: “I’m trying not to think about Bond or anything in the future. I’m afraid I might put a curse on things.”
Richard, who was also Robb Stark in Game Of Thrones and will play Sir Elton John’s former manager John Reid in this year’s big screen biopic Rocketman, faces tough competition at the Golden Globes in Beverly Hills.
His biggest rival is Welshman Matthew Rhys, 44, a fellow nominee for best actor in a TV drama for his role as a Russian agent in spy series The Americans.
Matthew declared: such a strong field
Anything can happen.”
The biggest head-to-head clash of home-grown leading ladies will be between Olivia and Mary Poppins Returns star Emily Blunt, 35.
They are competing in the best actress in a musical or comedy film category.
And Rachel Weisz, hoping for a best supporting actress award as Sarah Churchill in The Favourite, is up against Claire Foy, who played astronaut’s wife Janet Armstrong in the movie First Man. “There’s this year.