The highly anticipated Freddie Mercury biopic has lost its obvious star after Sacha Baron Cohen reportedly quit the film over a dispute with Queen's remaining band members.

Deadline is reporting that Cohen, who has been instrumental in recruiting Oscar-winning screenwriter Peter Morgan and directors David Fincher and Tom Hooper to help churn out a tribute worthy of the legendary frontman, has decided to walk after three years of development because he wasn't being allowed to make the movie he wanted to make.

"The reason is that the band wanted to make more of a PG movie about Queen while Cohen was counting on a gritty R-rated tell-all centered around the gifted gay singer," writes Nikki Finke.

Despite the seemingly insurmountable setback, the film's production will continue with another as-yet-unnamed actor taking Cohen's place.

[photos via AP, Getty]