Brian May calls Sacha Baron Cohen an ‘arse' after Freddie Mercury biopic parting of ways

'We’re hoping Ben Whishaw will do it. He’s fabulous – a real actor,' says May

May rebuked the comedian who is best known for his roles as Ali G, Borat and Bruno for going to the press

The lead guitarist of Queen, Brian May, has lambasted Sacha Baron Cohen, revealing his side of the ongoing feud between the two.

Cohen was previously cast to play Freddie Mercury in a Queen biopic but decided to drop out because he claimed the surviving band members weren’t keen to present the more hedonistic, “wild” aspects of Mercury’s life.

The 68-year-old musician has now hit back at Cohen, highlighting their creative differences and contradicting his allegations.

“Sacha became an arse,” May told The Mail on Sunday’s Event magazine.

May also rebuked the comedian, who is best known for his roles as Ali G, Borat and Bruno, for going to the press.

“We had some nice times with Sacha kicking around ideas...” May said. “Why would he go away and say that we didn’t want to make a gritty film? Are we the kind of people who have ever ducked from the truth? I don’t think so".

May then argued they chose not to go with Cohen for plot reasons, adding that he hoped Ben Whishaw, “a real actor”, would replace him.

“We decided he wasn’t right for the role for very good reasons, which will become apparent if you watch what he’s done recently,” he said. “It’s obvious that it wasn’t going to work, him playing Freddie. It wouldn’t suspend your disbelief. We’re hoping Ben Whishaw will do it. He’s fabulous – a real actor”.

Cohen decided to officially leave the long-anticipated biopic in August of 2013, revealing his reasoning for leaving in an interview with Howard Stern last month. In Cohen’s view, Queen were keen to sugarcoat Mercury’s life and protect their legacy as a band.

“There are amazing stories about Freddie Mercury. The guy was wild,“ Cohen said. ”There are stories of little people walking around parties with plates of cocaine on their heads!”

Cohen did not immediately respond to request for comment.