Before helming Elton John biopic Rocketman, Fletcher was roped in last minute to complete the last couple of weeks filming on Bohemian Rhapsody. Interestingly, both movies featured two incarnations of real-life music manager John Reid, portrayed by Aidan Gillen in Bohemian Rhapsody and Richard Madden in Rocketman. Reid is best-known for managing Queen and being Elton John’s manager and lover. And with such connections between the two movies, it turns out Malek’s Freddie almost cameoed in Rocketman.
Speaking with Gay Star News, Fletcher revealed: “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!
“That would have been amazing, [but] it didn’t come to pass.
“It would’ve been a little too knowing…I’m not looking to set out to make a cinematic universe!”
He went on: “To see him watch the scene in which they [Elton and Bernie] meet, and grab each-other on the knee…
“And then about fifteen minutes from the end, he absolutely broke down. He was blubbing.
“And then the lights come up and I’m very moved – because Elton is moved.
“But Elton, because he’s an old pro, has managed to get himself look immaculate again, whereas I am just melting with all these cameras on me!”