May 16, 2018
TV Producer Bryan Fuller Slams 'Bohemian Rhapsody' Trailer for Ignoring Freddie Mercury's Sexuality, AIDS
READ TIME: 1 MIN.
Out TV producer Bryan Fuller, best known for his shows "Hannibal," "Pushing Daisies," and "American Gods," is taking issue with the trailer for the upcoming biopic "Bohemian Rhapsody" about Queen front man Freddie Mercury.
Though the trailer already earned over 2 million views in the 24 hours since being posted, Fuller accused film studio 20th Century Fox of "hetero-washing" Mercury's story in the trailer and in its description of the film, which stars Rami Malek ("Mr. Robot") as the legendary rock singer.
"Anyone else mildly annoyed that the 'Bohemian Rhapsody' trailer features gay/bi superstar Freddie Mercury flirting with and twirling with a woman but no indication of his love of men?" he asked his 152,000 followers.
One Twitter user pointed out a quick moment in which it appears as though a man is coming on to Mercury. But the trailer prominently features actress Lucy Boynton, who plays Mary Austin -- a woman some credit as Mercury's muse, staring at the singer romantically and leaping into his arms.
Fuller also took issue with 20th Century Fox's choice of words to describe Mercury's battle with HIV/AIDS. Taking to Twitter, he shared a screen shot of the studio's write up, highlighting the sentence that says Mercury was "facing a life-threatening illness."
"Dear 20th Century Fox .. Yes, it was a life-threatening illness, but more specifically it was AIDS. From having gay sex with men. Do better," Fuller wrote, adding the hashtag #HetWashing.
Find his tweets below.
Watch the "Bohemian Rhapsody" trailer below. The film hits theaters Nov. 2.
