Bryan Singer Offices at Fox Closed After Director Fired From ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’
Singer’s production company had a first look deal with Fox that expired in October, but was extended until the completion of Freddy Mercury biopic starring Rami Malek
Ross A. Lincoln | December 4, 2017 @ 8:01 PM
Last Updated: December 4, 2017 @ 8:57 PM
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Following his firing as director of the Freddy Mercury biopic “Bohemian Rhapsody,” the Fox lot offices of Bryan Singer’s production company, Bad Hat Harry, have been shut down.
An individual familiar with the matter told TheWrap that Singer had a three-year, first-look deal with Fox that ended in October and was not renewed. But the deal was extended temporarily so that Bad Hat Harry could remain on the lot while Singer finished up “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
Production on the film was halted Friday due to what Fox said at the time was Singer’s “unexpected unavailability.” Singer was fired as director Monday morning amid reports of unprofessional behavior and conflicts with the film’s star Rami Malek. Singer later pushed back against reports of on-set dysfunction, saying in a statement Monday night that he was fired because he wanted to put a hold on production to care for an ailing parent.
“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,” he said.
12 Music Biopics We'd Like to See, From Amy Winehouse to Prince (Photos)
Tupac died more than 20 years ago, and he's only now getting a proper biopic, “All Eyez on Me,” opening this weekend. That's almost way too long, but Pac's isn't the music history story that still needs to be told. Here are 12 other musical biopics we're dying to see.
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Amy Winehouse Noomi Rapace was in talks to star in a biopic back in 2015 but no film materialized. Winehouse's tragic decline from universally acclaimed young star to gone-too-soon drug addict was captured in the documentary "Amy."
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Janis Joplin This is the white whale of music biopics -- there's even a “30 Rock”gag about how impossible it’s been to get this made. Amy Adams, Michelle Williams, Pink, Zooey Deschanel and more have been interested, but so far no film has been made.
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The Beatles Yes, we know there are many movies about the most famous band in history. But Mike Ryan over at Uproxx had a cool idea we second: turn The Beatles into a shared universe, with films for each member during different eras, from Beatlemania to Sgt. Peppers.
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Liam and Noel Gallagher of Oasis Less interesting than the band's enormous success is the fact that its two principle figures - brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher - hate each other's guts. Their animosity broke up the band and Liam regularly trolls Noel on Twitter. Tell that story.
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Kurt Cobain More than 20 years after his death, the Nirvana frontman remains misunderstood, and a biopic in the vein of the Joy Division movie “Control” would show equal parts of Cobain’s humor, talent and depression.
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Bob Marley
Somehow, the cultural icon who helped define reggae music and whose face adorns countless dorm room walls has never received a biopic. That needs to change.
Carole King This is already happening - it's called “Beautiful,” based on the recent stage adaptation of the singer/songwriter’s life. But the film still needs a star. We know Sara Bareilles is a fan.
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Chris Cornell
In the wake of the Soundgarden frontman’s sudden suicide, a look back on his career, and impact on the 1980s-90s Seattle music scene that changed the world, is sorely needed.
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Chuck Berry Many artists he directly-influenced have gotten biopics, but not the legend himself, who died in March. His artistic legacy as well as his thorny personal history are stories in dire need of telling.
The Replacements The Minneapolis band were an important part of the history of American alternative rock. Their music and tempestuous lifestyle -- they were banned from SNL after performing drunk -- makes for perfect garage rock drama.
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The Strokes The Strokes came out of nowhere in 2001 and were immediately hailed as the saviors of rock and roll. That claim didn't pan out, but the band's huge success in what amounts to the tail end of Rock's dominance in pop culture is a story worth telling.
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Prince and Michael Jackson The legendary musicians lived almost cinematic lives, but their 1980s artistic and pop-charts rivalry deserves a biopic of its own. It would have to include an almost too-good-to-be-true moments like their 1983 on-stage “duel” in front of James Brown and a not-so-friendly game of ping-pong.
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“All Eyez On Me” documents the career of Tupac Shakur. What other musicians should get their own films?
Tupac died more than 20 years ago, and he's only now getting a proper biopic, “All Eyez on Me,” opening this weekend. That's almost way too long, but Pac's isn't the music history story that still needs to be told. Here are 12 other musical biopics we're dying to see.