Entertainment

Rami Malek’s amazing journey to become Freddie Mercury revealed in new video

Jan 15, 2019

Rami Malek transforms into Freddie Mercury in the movie. Source: Facebook/A Queen of Magic.

He has been praised around the globe for his incredible portrayal of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury in movie Bohemian Rhapsody, and now an in-depth behind-the-scenes video has revealed Rami Malek’s full journey to become the music legend.

The 16-minute Apple Music documentary features interviews with band members Roger Taylor and Brian May as they praise the actor for his performance, before Malek himself appears on camera to introduce a series of backstage clips on set.

“There are so many different faces of Freddie Mercury and I don’t think one is more true than the other,” Malek says in the video.

“He just can reach you, almost as if you’re the only person in the room no matter where you are watching. And it’s that exchange that makes him one of the most unique and remarkable and revolutionary artists of our time – or of any time.”

Crew members and fellow stars of the movie also appear on camera to reveal the immense pressure they felt in getting the film right, in honour of Mercury and his life, while the hair and make-up team share their secrets to making Malek look the part.

The actor had to wear false teeth to mirror Mercury’s own signature set and the team reveal how self conscious the singer was of them, constantly trying to cover them up with his bushy moustache and mouth movements – something Malek had to learn to do in each scene.

Meanwhile, he had a false nose fitted to better represent Mercury’s broader one and of course wore some of his most iconic outfits on set.

Opening up on Malek’s portrayal of his former bandmate, Taylor says on camera: “He sort of invented himself. It was an act of pure willpower and intelligence to manage the raw material and turn himself into Mercury.”

Malek has since won a Golden Globe for his amazing performance and he won hearts around the world at the awards ceremony as he paid tribute to the great Mercury himself in a tear-jerking acceptance speech.

Rami Malek dedicates his #GoldenGlobes award to Freddie Mercury pic.twitter.com/dlWw9W5wAS

— MTV NEWS (@MTVNEWS) January 7, 2019

Taking to the stage to accept his award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Drama Film, Malek showed his true appreciation for Mercury and the role he was able to play.

“Oh my god, I am beyond moved,” he said as he took to the stage at the time. “My heart is pounding out of my chest. This is a profound honour to be counted among such extraordinary actors, I am privileged.”

After thanking his fellow actors and producers, who worked tirelessly to put the film together, the 37-year-old turned to May and Taylor who watched on proudly in the crowd.

“Of course, to Queen. To you Brian May, to you Roger Taylor, for ensuring that authenticity and inclusivity exists in the music and in the world and in all of us,” he said. “Thank you to Freddie Mercury for giving me the joy of a lifetime. I love you, you beautiful man. This is for and because of you, gorgeous!”