Sacha Baron Cohen to play Freddie Mercury

BORAT star Sacha Baron Cohen is set to play Freddie Mercury in a movie about the Queen frontman's life, it's been reported.

The comic - who, apparently based his character Borat's image on the late music legend - is said to be the front runner to play Freddie seeing off stiff competition from rival Johnny Depp.

A source told English newspaper "The Daily Mirror" that: "Filmmakers are working flat out to get the best possible script. Sacha loves the idea he can get away with playing Freddie after modeling Borat's look on him."

The movie is being developed by Robert De Niro's company Tribeca Productions.

Last month, it was reported that 'Pirates of the Caribbean' star Johnny was in talks to play Freddie.

The 'Bohemian Rhapsody' singer - who passed away aged 45 from an AIDS-related illness in 1991 - was widely considered to be one of the greatest performers in British rock history.