‘Les Miserables’ Director to Lead Sacha Baron Cohen’s Freddie Mercury Biopic?

Sacha Baron Cohen has been attached to star in a biopic of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury for many years now but the project may finally be headed to the big screen. Oscar-winning director Tom Hooper, who worked with Cohen on 'Les Miserables,' is attached to direct the film, which could begin production later this year.

Cohen signed on to the Freddie Mercury biopic way back in 2010 when the project was scheduled to begin production in early 2011. But various delays continued to put the project on the backburner and Cohen went on to star in 'Hugo' for Martin Scorsese and his own comedy 'The Dictator.'

Though the film had the complete support of the Queen estate (including the rights to all the band's classic music), the film never found the right director to work with Cohen and producer Robert De Niro on bringing the film to the big screen. Now it looks as if Cohen may reunite with Hooper to finally make his passion project happen.

But is it a good choice?

Hooper won the Best Director Oscar for 'The King's Speech' and was nominated again for 'Les Miserables' but both came with scrutiny in Hollywood. Many felt Hooper's odd shooting style on 'Les Miserables' (including the frequent and unnecessary use of excessive close-ups) was one of the film's big problems and that Ben Affleck should have been nominated as Best Director instead. He's received many critical accolades but isn't as widely respected as some of his peers.

Now, of course, Hooper may have just been completely wrong for a movie like 'Les Miserables' and the Freddie Mercury biopic will be more up his alley. One thing is for sure, Sacha Baron Cohen - despite his 'Borat' background - really is perfect for the role and we can't wait to see what he does with it.