Dominic Cooper has been linked to the role of Freddie Mercury in the new biopic.

The 35-year-old actor - known for playing Darcy in 'Dead Man Down' - is reportedly being lined up to replace Sacha Baron Cohen in the long-planned movie about the legendary Queen singer, according to the Latino Review.

The 'Borat' actor was reportedly dropped from the film earlier this year after drummer Roger Taylor claimed he and Brian May believed the star would turn the movie into a comedy with his performance.

He said previously: ''We felt Sacha probably wasn't right. We didn't want it to be a joke. We want people to be moved.''

It's thought Baron Cohen wanted to make the movie grittier and warts-and-all, but Queen stars Brian May and Roger Taylor want a more family-friendly film about Mercury, who died following complications with AIDs in 1991.

'Harry Potter' actor Daniel Radcliffe was recently tipped to replace Baron Cohen in the film but he denied the rumours, insisting he wouldn't be able to properly portray the flamboyant star.

He said in August: ''Everyone on the internet who I presume is saying I'm totally wrong for that part is correct. I AM completely wrong for that part!''