Bryan Singer: Production halts on Queen biopic due to director's 'unexpected unavailability'

A representative for Singer has stated the director has stepped away due to a 'personal health matter'

Production has halted on Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody due to director Bryan Singer's "unexpected unavailability".

"Twentieth Century Fox Film has temporarily halted production on Bohemian Rhapsody due to the unexpected unavailability of Bryan Singer," a statement from the studio read. There was no comment as to how far into shooting the production had reached before Singer stepped away, or whether the film will continue without him.

Singer's representatives later released their own statement, reading: "“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."

Bohemian Rhapsody is set to chronicle the rise of Queen from 1970, when Freddie Mercury (played by Rami Malek here) first teamed with Brian May and Roger Taylor, up until the band's Live Aid performance; notably cutting the film short, six years before Mercury died of complications from AIDs.

Deadline has reported rumours of a troubled production that has seen Singer already step away from filming multiple times, claiming that he now hasn't shown up for the past three days.

Insiders say the studio is still hoping the film will be completed ahead of its 25 December 2018 release date, with rumours that Fox has been having discreet discussions with replacement directors who could step in to finish the film.

Follow Independent Culture on Facebook for all the latest on Film, TV, Music, and more.