Actor Rami Malek, known for portraying Freddie Mercury in the blockbuster biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, revealed on Wednesday that the legendary Queen frontman remains a guiding force in his life. Speaking at the Cannes Film Festival, where his new film The Man I Love premiered, Malek stated, “Freddie is someone I never want to get rid of. He resides somewhere in my soul, and I hope he keeps advising me throughout my life.”
The 45-year-old Egyptian-American actor stars as a gay artist with AIDS in 1980s New York in director Ira Sachs’ drama, which competes for the Palme d’Or. Malek admitted initial hesitation about taking another musical role, but said, “When I first read the script, I wondered if it was too similar. But it’s a different world, a different energy, so I took the plunge.”
A New Role in a Different Era
The Man I Love follows performer Jimmy George navigating the underground New York music scene during the height of the AIDS epidemic. Sachs, a key figure in American independent cinema, drew on his own memories to recreate the era’s blend of tragedy and celebration.
Malek reflected on the lasting impact of playing Mercury, who died of AIDS-related complications in 1991. “I think Freddie Mercury will help me for the rest of my life,” he told journalists. The 2018 film Bohemian Rhapsody earned Malek an Academy Award for Best Actor.
Cannes Competition
The film is one of 22 in the main competition at Cannes, with the winner to be announced on Saturday. Malek’s performance has already drawn attention as he tackles themes of art, love, and loss in a period of crisis.
In addition to his Cannes entry, Malek recently starred in the thriller The Amateur alongside Rachel Brosnahan and explored detective work in The Little Things. He continues to balance high-profile projects with deeply personal roles.
