Rami Malek has admitted he initially feared taking on a new role as a gay performer with HIV, due to similarities with his Oscar-winning portrayal of Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody.
The actor stars in Ira Sachs' latest film The Man I Love, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. Malek plays Jimmy George, a singer and performer in 1980s New York who has just survived a three-week hospital stay after an HIV-related illness.
Malek said he thought: 'I can't do this, there's too many similarities. It could be problematic. There was a certain sense of fear.' He questioned whether the singing or the period setting was too close to his previous role. However, he decided to address the fear, inspired by Freddie Mercury's own advice.
The film focuses on Jimmy's desire to keep moving and be unapologetically alive, rather than the dark side of his struggle with AIDS. Malek described the character as 'just searching for creativity, love and intimacy and joy in every moment,' unlike the iconic Freddie Mercury who 'had a destination.'
The Man I Love has already generated Oscar buzz for Malek, receiving a ten-minute standing ovation at its world premiere. The film's international rights are held by Mubi, while US distribution is still available.
