Surely, this has got to be a joke… right? I mean can someone point me towards the group of fans who watched Bohemian Rhapsody in cinemas, got on their knees and prayed to the movie gods for a sequel.
Yes, it did gangbusters at the global box office, grossing over $875 million. Yes, it received six Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and won three. But the film simply doesn’t scream ‘franchise’, especially considering how it ended — with Freddie Mercury coming out to his parents, telling his bandmates he has AIDS and then performing his heart out at the Live Aid concert.
A film like this does not call for a sequel. But it looks like we might be getting one anyway, according to Queen music video director Rudi Dolezal at least. In a chat with Page Six, Dolezal had this to say:
“I’m sure he [Queen manager Jim Beach] plans a sequel that starts with Live Aid. A follow-up film is being heavily discussed in the Queen family.”
However, it’s important to note that neither Rami Malek, who won the Best Actor Oscar for his incredible portrayal of Freddie Mercury, nor Queen’s record label has heard anything about a sequel too. Perhaps Dolezal heard some whispers, or maybe he’s just having fun with the idea. Either way, take this news with two grains of salt.
Upon its release, Bohemian Rhapsody received mixed reviews from critics. Many called the film a fun celebration of the iconic band that unfortunately doesn’t dive deep and explore its characters in a meaningful way. Its staggering box office success and Academy Award nominations further prove the polarizing nature of the film.
Bohemian Rhapsody is currently rerunning in selected TGV cinemas in conjunction with the 91st Academy Awards that just took place recently.
