Queen star Brian May says Sacha Baron Cohen isn't any closer to appearing in a long-mooted Freddie Mercury biopic.

It was reported last week that the actor would be writing, producing and directing - as well as starring in - a film about Mercury.

It came after Queen manager Jim Beach made the claim whilst accepting an award at the Artist & Management Awards in London.

May took to his website to confirm that the announcement was made in jest, with Beach referring to the stalling of the movie and Baron Cohen dropping out of the project in 2013.

The guitarist said of a report on Beach's award-receiving: "It doesn’t mention a small joke that Jim threw in during his acceptance speech.

"He said that, in response to enquiries about the progress on the Freddie feature film, that Sacha Baron Cohen had been re-engaged to write, produce, and direct the film, as well as starring in all four major roles! I’m afraid some folks might have taken it seriously!"

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