It's not a kind of magic: Daniel Radcliffe won't be playing Freddy Mercury. Photograph: guardian.co.uk
Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe has denied reports he will play the late Queen singer Freddie Mercury in a new biopic.
Radcliffe had emerged as a favourite with bookmakers to take the high-profile role following a report in the Daily Star. But he told Empire's podcast there was "no truth" in the rumour. He said: "Everyone on the internet who I presume is saying I'm totally wrong for that part is correct. I am completely wrong for that part!
"If I'd seen a rumour about me playing Iggy Pop, I'd think, 'Hey, I'd have a go at that - that'd be fun!', but Freddie Mercury? No. I don't even know who the director is. They seem to be saying it's Stephen Frears and Tom Hooper on the internet.
"This is the kind of thing that happens to me and it happens to Emma (Watson) with multiple 50 Shades Of Grey things. When somebody has column inches to fill, they just sub in one of our names." Radcliffe had been (spuriously) tipped to replace Sacha Baron Cohen in the planned biopic, the latter reportedly having exited over his desire for a racy "warts and all" portrayal of the flamboyant singer. Mercury's erstwhile bandmates are said to be planning a more "family-friendly" approach.
• News: Sacha Baron Cohen quits Mercury biopic
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