Bohemian Rhapsody: Queen deny 'turning down' Oscars performance (UPDATED)
QUEEN star Brian May has denied a report suggesting the group turned down the opportunity to perform at the Oscars.
Bohemian Rhapsody: Official trailer released
Bohemian Rhapsody is up for five Academy Awards this month, including Best Picture and Best Actor. And while all five Best Song nominees are expected to perform at the 2019 Oscars, Variety had reported that Queen were asked to open the show. The outlet said: “At one point, the possibility of having still more music on the telecast was in play. Sources tell Variety a feeler went out to the members of Queen to open the show with one of the hits revived in the Bohemian Rhapsody film, but that’s not happening.”
However, Brian May has now spoken out and denied that this is the case.
"NOPE ! We never turned down playing at the Oscars," he wrote on Instagram.
"We're just happy and proud that Bohemian Rhapsody has received 5 nominations, and we will be there in support !!! Bri."
After Mercury’s death in 1991, Queen was still made up of May, Taylor and John Deacon.
However, the latter retired and doesn’t perform with the iconic rock band anymore.
Meanwhile, May and Taylor still tour as Queen with Adam Lambert singing Freddie’s vocals.
Bohemian Rhapsody’s success in awards season has been quite the surprise after a lukewarm response from film critics.
In fact, the movie is just two points off being rotten on Rotten Tomatoes.
Brian May: Freddie would have 'loved' Bohemian Rhapsody
Of course, there’s also the controversy surrounding the film’s director Bryan Singer, who was fired just two weeks before principal photography wrapped.
The filmmaker also has a host of sexual misconduct accusations against him; all of which he strongly denies.
Bohemian Rhapsody is still playing in selected cinemas.