Sacha Baron Cohen. Say what you like, but he's a funny guy. But crucially, that's pretty much (film wise) all he is. I've got to be honest about it. I mean, Will Ferrell is by far my favourite actor, but I'd be one of the first to admit that he can only do (and do BRILLIANTLY, if I may add) comedy, and nothing else. But back to Mr Cohen.
Borat - controversial, but a funny film nonetheless.
Ali G - maybe a bit over referenced, but definitely funny.
Bruno - well, I haven't seen it, so...but I have heard that it's pretty funny.
Talladega Nights - hilarious film, and though not the star of the show, he's damn funny all the same.
That's a quick pick from the man's filmography. All comedies. I, for one, wouldn't be able to take the guy seriously if he had to play a mature, dramatic role. And I know that lots of people share this view. So why then, would you pick him to play Freddie Mercury, the great Freddie Mercury, in a film biopic about our bombastic national treasures Queen? It beggars belief. There's so much that could go wrong here. It's pretty obvious too. Sacha Baron Cohen is known to offend people easily, and being such a universally loved source material that Queen are, fans could very easily be looking at an insult of an acting performance. Because Freddie was such an extrovert, and crucially, gay, the role is on a knife edge in terms of getting it right. Also bear in mind Sacha's pedigree when playing the role of a comedic gay character...he's been there and done that at least twice! It just seems to me that this film is a nightmare waiting to happen. Yes, Sacha Baron Cohen does resemble Freddie Mercury more than most actors out there, but I genuinely can't think of many worse actors to pick for the part. With me being a real fan of Queen's music, I just hope that Sacha can mature (if only for just this once) into a mature, well rounded, and sensitive actor. Freddie deserves a movie, because he was a true legend, and one of the best musicians/showmen our country has ever, and will ever see - let's not let this be screwed up, please.
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