Actor Rami Malek recently addressed the reservations he had about portraying a character battling AIDS in his new drama "The Man I Love," citing similarities to his Oscar-winning role as Freddie Mercury in "Bohemian Rhapsody." Malek, 45, expressed concerns that playing another character with a similar health struggle could be "problematic" given his past experience.
"When I read the script, I said, 'I can't do this. There's too many similarities. It could be problematic,'" Malek said at a press conference, per Variety. He questioned his own fears, wondering if they stemmed from the role's similarities, the singing aspect, or the historical period.
Malek, who portrayed the late Queen frontman Freddie Mercury in the 2018 biopic "Bohemian Rhapsody," noted that Mercury died in 1991 from complications related to AIDS. In "The Man I Love," directed by Ira Sachs, Malek plays Jimmy George, a character facing AIDS in 1980s New York.
Despite initial apprehension, Malek stated that he learned from Mercury's legacy to "address the fear." He placed trust in director Ira Sachs, believing he was in "extraordinary hands" and would be pushed to perform at his best.
Malek also clarified that while Mercury and Jimmy George share some similarities, they are "radically different figures." He suggested that having more distance from the Mercury role allowed him to see these distinctions more clearly.
Sachs, speaking about casting Malek, highlighted the actor's need for "mystery" and "potential for the unexpected," alongside "star quality." He emphasized that the film's universe revolves around Malek's character, requiring a performer who "emits light and also asks to be seen."
In a separate event, Malek was seen enjoying downtime during the San Sebastian International Film Festival on Sunday. He shared a hug with talent manager Jessica Kovacevic, appearing relaxed as they posed for a photograph. Later, they were observed walking together, with Malek draping an arm over Kovacevic's shoulders and her arm around his waist. For the casual outing, Malek wore a white shirt, black joggers, and yellow trainers. Kovacevic, who previously testified in the 2022 defamation trial between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, opted for a green top, black joggers, and red trainers.