Rocketman director reveals Rami Malek almost had a cameo as Freddie Mercury in Elton John biopic

Director says move would have been ‘too knowing’

Rami Malek could have had a cameo in Rocketman as Freddie Mercury, the director of the Elton John biopic has revealed.

Dexter Fletcher, the director of Rocketman, was also hired to finish up Bohemian Rhapsody following Bryan Singer’s firing.

The two movies have another real-life connection: John Reid, who was once John’s manager and partner, also managed the band Queen for a while.

Reid is played in Rocketman by Richard Madden, and in Bohemian Rhapsody by Aidan Gillen.

Asked whether he ever thought of giving Malek a cameo in Rocketman, Fletcher told Gay Star News he did toy with the idea of including a nod to Bohemian Rhapsody in the film – though the idea didn’t come to fruition.

“There was an idea I had one point, where Elton’s in a restaurant with his mother. I thought John Reid and Freddie could be at another table and they wave at each other!” Fletcher said.

He explained that the idea didn’t materialise because ‘it would’ve been a little too knowing”, adding: “I’m not looking to set out to make a cinematic universe!”

Rocketman, which opened in May, stars Taron Egerton as John.

John served as an executive producer, while his husband David Furnish is one of the producers.