Responding to the whirlwind of news and rumors of alleged chaos and erratic behavior on the set of the Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, director Bryan Singer has released a statement saying the studio fired him because they would not allow him to take time off to care for a sick parent.
Production on the film was halted after Singer never showed up to the set after Thanksgiving. After Fox announced that he was fired from the project, the Hollywood Reporter alleged that production had turned into pandemonium, with Singer and star of the film Rami Malek being openly confrontational with each other.
In his own statement, Singer said the studio was unwilling to let him take time off to take care of a sick parent. He also said that the extent of his dispute with Malek is not true and the two have put their differences behind them.
"Bohemian Rhapsody is a passion project of mine. With fewer than three weeks to shoot remaining, I asked Fox for some time off so I could return to the U.S. to deal with pressing health matters concerning one of my parents," wrote Singer. "This was a very taxing experience, which ultimately took a serious toll on my own health. Unfortunately, the studio was unwilling to accommodate me and terminated my services. This was not my decision and it was beyond my control."
“Rumors that my unexpected departure from the film was sparked by a dispute I had with Rami Malek are not true," said the director. "While, at times, we did have creative differences on set, Rami and I successfully put those differences behind us and continued to work on the film together until just prior to Thanksgiving."
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