Queen on why Sacha Baron Cohen quit Freddie Mercury biopic

Queen have revealed why Sacha Baron Cohen abruptly exited the planned biopic of their late frontman, the iconic Freddie Mercury.

Talk of 'creative differences' was floated as the reason after it emerged that he had walked away from the production over the summer.

It was also rumoured that a focus on Mercury's legendary excess was not sitting right with the band's remaining members, and they were 'unable to agree' on a way forward.

[Why Sacha Baron Cohen walked from Freddie Mercury biopic]

Now drummer Roger Taylor has shone some light on the situation.

Speaking to Mojo, he said: “We felt Sacha probably wasn't right in the end. We didn't want it to be a joke. We want people to be moved.”

He also added: “I thought the music business was slow, but this has been like swimming in treacle.”

The status of the project is now unclear.

Peter Morgan, who penned 'The Queen' and 'Frost/Nixon', was originally set to write the screenplay, but has said that since Baron Cohen's exit, it is 'probably not going to happen'.

But producer Graham King has told Digital Spy that the project is 'very much alive'.

Reports began circulating earlier this week that Daniel Radcliffe was potentially up for the role of Mercury.

He's since laughed off the rumours, saying that he's 'completely wrong' for the part.

Check out one of Sacha Baron Cohen's finest comedy moments - when he spilled the 'ashes of Kim Jong-Il' on Ryan Seacrest at the 2012 Oscars - below.