Wild Bill and Eddie The Eagle director Dexter Fletcher has replaced Bryan Singer at the helm of the Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody. Production on the film will resume in the U.K. next, so reports The Wrap. Fletcher was originally attached to the project during its early days, but according to the same source, left the production following creative differences.
Singer was fired from the high-profile project on Monday this week over reported absences and alleged conflicts with actor Rami Malek, who portrays Freddie Mercury in the film.
Singer denied any misdoings and responded with the following statement shortly after leaving the project.
“I wanted nothing more than to be able to finish this project and help honor the legacy of Freddie Mercury and Queen, but Fox would not permit me to do so because I needed to temporarily put my health, and the health of my loved ones, first,” Singer said in his statement.
“I asked Fox for some time off so I could return to the U.S. to deal with pressing health matters concerning one of my parents. This was a very taxing experience, which ultimately took a serious toll on my own health. Unfortunately, the studio was unwilling to accommodate me and terminated my services,” he said.
There are only a few weeks left on the shoot, which Fletcher will now oversee and then guide the film through post-production.
Bohemian Rhapsody is scheduled for a release in 2018.
