Sacha Baron Cohen to Play Freddie Mercury in Queen Biopic

Following biopics of the Doors, Joy Division and the Runaways, pomp rockers Queen are set to be immortalised on celluloid with the highly coveted role of the band's flamboyant singer Freddie Mercury going to none other than 'Borat' star Sacha Baron Cohen.

According to a report on Deadline.com, the as-yet-unnamed film is to be scripted by Peter Morgan -- a man who has tackled real-life characters in films such as 'Frost/Nixon,' 'The Queen' and 'The Damned United' -- and is scheduled to go into production in 2011. It is understood that the film will concentrate on the band's early years and culminate with Queen's legendary 1985 Live Aid performance.

The surviving members of Queen -- guitarist Brian May, drummer Roger Taylor and bassist John Deacon -- have given permission for their music to be used in the film. Just as well, really, as there wouldn't be much of a film without it.

The film's producer Graham King said in a statement, "Queen is one of the greatest rock bands of all time, and a music brand all unto itself. Freddie Mercury was an awe-inspiring performer, so with Sacha in the starring role coupled with Peter's screenplay and the support of Queen, we have the perfect combination to tell the real story behind their success."