"If somebody comes up with a genius plan": Queen's Roger Taylor on a possible Bohemian Rhapsody sequel

Roger Taylor, Queen dummer, has addressed a potential Bohemian Rhapsody sequel, stating that the prospect is unlikely to happen unless a "genius plan" is sparked.

The film chronicling the band's career was released in November 2018 and went on to become the highest-grossing musical biopic of all time, earning over $1 billion at the global box office.

Speaking to Rolling Stone about a sequel, Taylor said:

“I have to say no. I really do think that we need to sit back for a year or two and look at things and see if that is a believable or credible thing to do.

“The movie was a great hit. We were delighted, obviously. But I think I wouldn’t want to be seen as cashing in again. I’d have to have a very, very good script and scenario to make that work. Right now, I can’t think of a way of doing a sequel.”

The film garnered numerous accolades, earning Academy Awards, Golden Globes and BAFTAs for acting and production roles.

“If somebody comes up with a genius plan, maybe we’ll think about it," Taylor continued.

"Right now, we’re just very happy with what the movie did. There are so many sequels that don’t match up to the original one. There are obvious ones that did, but on the whole, I think it’s a dangerous territory.”

Speaking about the film’s success within the awards circuit, he added: “It was extraordinary. There was the Golden Globes and the BAFTAs and then the Oscars! We thought, ‘Hey, we’ll take it!’

“It was a great ride, but it wasn’t our world. Our world is the rock and roll world. It was fascinating and very interesting to be involved. When the movie got four Oscars, it took a while for that to sink in. Mind you, they didn’t give Brian May and me any. That’s okay, though.”

Rudi Dolezal, director of numerous Queen music videos, said that there had been internal talk about a possible second film, leading to rumours swirling about whether Queen would involve itself once more.

The years leading up to Freddie Mercury’s tragic passing in November 1991 would possibly be screened.

It’s believed that the frontman first found out about his AIDS diagnosis after Live Aid, in April 1987.

Guitarist Brian May also ruled out a follow-up film recently, telling Rolling Stone:

“Don’t think we didn’t think about it. We’ve talked. Basically, we think not, at the moment. Things could change, I suppose, but I think it would be difficult.”