Fox halts "Bohemian Rhapsody" production following absence of director Bryan Singer

A representative for Singer said his disappearance is related to "a personal health matter"

Published December 2, 2017 1:11PM (EST)

FILE - In this March 3, 2012 file photo, director Bryan Singer arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of the play "8" in Los Angeles.  Singer released a statement on Thursday, April 24, 2014, denying allegations by Michael Egan III that the director sexually assaulted him when he was underage in 1999 and called them "outrageous, vicious and completely false." The director of the upcoming film "X-Men: Days of Future Past" also said he is avoiding media promotions of the film to avoid creating a distraction. (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg, file) (AP)
FILE - In this March 3, 2012 file photo, director Bryan Singer arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of the play "8" in Los Angeles. Singer released a statement on Thursday, April 24, 2014, denying allegations by Michael Egan III that the director sexually assaulted him when he was underage in 1999 and called them "outrageous, vicious and completely false." The director of the upcoming film "X-Men: Days of Future Past" also said he is avoiding media promotions of the film to avoid creating a distraction. (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg, file) (AP)

The production of "Bohemian Rhapsody" has been abruptly halted following "a personal health matter" involving director and producer Bryan Singer.

"Twentieth Century Fox Film has temporarily halted production on 'Bohemian Rhapsody' due to the unexpected unavailability of Bryan Singer," a statement from the studio said, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The film, "Bohemian Rhapsody," is a biopic about the iconic lead singer of Queen, Freddie Mercury. The role of Mercury is being played by Rami Malek, who is known for his role in the television show "Mr. Robot."

Few details are known about Singer's health, but he failed to return to set following a Thanksgiving holiday break, which only left producers nervous and sparked discussions about having him potentially replaced, sources told THR.

A representative for Singer said, "This is a personal health matter concerning Bryan and his family. Bryan hopes to get back to work on the film soon after the holidays," Buzzfeed's Kate Arthur confirmed on Friday night. Arthur also pointed out that "Singer's longtime publicist, Simon Halls, is no longer representing him. His contact is now his lawyer."

 

 

Singer is known for having directed several "X-Men" films, "Superman Returns," "The Usual Suspects" and others.

It's also not Singer's first abrupt disappearance during production, THR reported. He also briefly left the sets of "X-Men: Apocalypse" and "Superman Returns."


By Charlie May

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Biopic Bohemian Rhapsody Bryan Singer Film Freddie Mercury Queen X-men Apocalypse