Hitting theaters just six months apart, Bohemian Rhapsody and Rocketman left their mark on the musical biopic genre. But beyond the success they achieved with the public, these two films are closely related, although their plots are not directly connected.
Hitting theaters on October 31, 2018, Bohemian Rhapsody stars Rami Malek in the shoes of Freddie Mercury, a role that earned him an Oscar for Best Actor a few months later.
With an attendance of over 4 million in France, this feature film was one of the successes of the year… a performance all the more surprising given that this biopic was not easy to produce.
After more than a decade in the making (and several actors signed up for the role, including Sacha Baron Cohen), Bohemian Rhapsody is directed by Bryan Singer. The latter’s repeated absences caused significant production delays and tension with Rami Malek.
Not the success the film deserved
Bryan Singer, questioned by several witnesses during the spread of the #MeToo movement, has been fired and will soon be replaced by Dexter Fletcher. Doesn’t his name sound familiar? And yet, this filmmaker is also known for directing… Rocketman, an Elton John biopic that hit theaters on May 29, 2019!
With only 744,000 admissions, this film did not achieve the success it deserved. Taron Egerton, Elton John’s interpreter, completely inhabits the role (he himself performs the singing scenes, unlike Rami Malek), a performance that won the Golden Globe for Best Actor, but unfairly avoided the Oscar!
Aside from Dexter Fletcher, there is another surprising connection between the two films. Each feature film features manager John Reid, each time played by an iconic actor from Game of Thrones.
John Reid in Bohemian Rhapsody (left) and Rocket Man (right)
In Bohemian Rhapsody, covered by Aiden Gillen, she plays a supporting role and only appears in a few scenes. John Reid is played by Richard Madden in Rocketman. A lover of Elton John, he is portrayed as a greedy and manipulative being who has a negative effect on the English singer’s health.
Musical biopic Rocketman will leave the Prime Video catalog on November 28.
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Source: Allocine
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
