Rami Malek’s Live Aid Performance In ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ Is Magnificently Precise

There is little doubt that Rami Malek truly embraced his role as Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody. However, a new video reveals that the Mr. Robot actor took certain pains to portray the Queen frontman. A side-by-side comparison of the film and footage of Mercury performing at Live Aid confirms just how precise the performance was.

The video shows original footage of Queen playing during the benefit concert on July 13, 1985, alongside Rami Malek and his fellow actors performing the same scene in Bohemian Rhapsody. It is immediately clear that Malek did his research for the pivotal sequence in the film. Even the smallest movement was copied perfectly, confusing fans if they were watching the real Mercury or an actor wearing prosthetic teeth.

Rami Malek studied Freddie Mercury’s old videos to prepare for the film.

It wasn’t easy perfecting the scene. Rami Malek admitted that he had watched Mercury’s Live Aid performance more than 1,500 times so he could memorize the singer’s mannerisms. It certainly paid off as Malek nailed Mercury’s gestures, from the time he would raise his fist in the air to a brief glance at the camera.

I DIDNT REALIZE THEY DID IT THIS PRECISELY pic.twitter.com/05f6ZW1TMn

— BEST OF FREDDIE MERCURY (@MOMENTOFMERCURY) November 11, 2018

Needless to say, people are impressed with the film and its faithful adaptation of the band’s iconic Live Aid gig. Some fans believe that Malek deserves an Oscar for his performance in the film.

Bohemian Rhapsody was directed by Bryan Singer. The film also starred Gwilym Lee as Brian May, Ben Hardy as Roger Taylor, and Joseph Mazzello as John Deacon.

Freddie Mercury passed away on November 24, 1991.

Although his performance impressed several fans, some people were unconvinced with the way Rami Malek portrayed Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody. One report dissed the actor for lip-syncing in the movie and was immediately shut down by netizens who supported Malek.

Malek is known for his lead role in the TV drama Mr. Robot. He also portrayed Louis Dega in 2017’s Papillon.

Bohemian Rhapsody is currently showing in theaters worldwide.

Watch the side-by-side comparison between Live Aid and Bohemian Rhapsody below: