Bohemian Rhapsody smashed all box office expectations with a staggering $900million take worldwide. Prior to release, there had been fears and accusations it was tampering with the truth and whitewashing away any uncomfortable part of Freddie’s life. Taylor and bandmate Brian May have subsequently defended any tweaks to the timeline as necessary for the narrative drive and explained the film is intended as a celebration of the man, the band and the music. In that, it undeniably succeeds. Even so, Taylor just revealed three detail the film definitely got wrong.
Taylor and May have given a major new interview to Mojo magazine.
Regarding any changes to the timeline of what actually happened in real life, for example when Freddie actually told the band he had AIDS, Taylor said: “The important thing is it did happen. We’re not telling lies. The chronology doesn’t really matter.”
They discuss the band’s extraordinary back catalogue, peppered with incredible insights and anecdotes about the making of the music, the band’s unique relationships and the creation of the movie.
Taylor, in particular, is refreshingly unfiltered in his opinions. He frankly admits the two of them have “no contact” with John Deacon and don’t even know if he has seen Bohemian Rhapsody.
The drummer also reveals the one fundamental detail about Deacon the film gets wrong.
Taylor told Mojo: Joe (Mazello) who played John nailed his mannerisms, but made him slightly too posh. Deacy was from Leicester and had a bit of a Northern accent.”
He also confessed he found watching Ben Hardy playing him on the big screen “slightly unnerving.”
He commends the accuracy of the performance but reveals some niggles with the details.
ROGER TAYLOR SAYS JOHN DEACON’S MUSIC TASTES WERE ‘BOLL***S’
Taylor said: “Ben did a wonderful job, though. If I had one criticism, it’s that some of the clothes were things I’d never have worn.
“That’s not Ben’s fault. Those were the clothes he was given.”
The Queen legend then added with a chuckle: “They also didn’t quite get my hair right.”
MOJO JULY ISSUE IS OUT NOW