The Freddie Mercury biopic has had a long, reportedly tense journey from page to screen, but still with nothing to actually show. With this one step forward, two steps back pattern in mind, you’ll have to excuse us for holding back on the anticipation at this point in time — even if what follows is, nevertheless, of some basic interest. (Maybe we enjoy Queen too much to really concede the whole thing.) In a bit of rumor mongering, The Daily Mail tell us the project’s lead role, recently vacated by Sacha Baron Cohen — and, boy, are the reasons behind that indicative of the project’s direction — is up for Daniel Radcliffe, the British actor having recently become a favorite among producers and investors.

To that end, a good deal of coin could be coming his way — not just because he brings as much “star power” as the once-attached comedian, but that the involved, necessary parties think he could do the iconic man some justice. (Nowadays, how often are big roles cast with that in mind?) Regardless of whether or not one thinks it’s a fine choice — and even if you can’t be bothered much to begin with — it’s hard not to be just the slightest bit curious about this singing voice insiders are touting; as a fan of the band and the actor, yours truly is more or less willing to see this aspect of the production play out.

The rest, however, is a shaky prospect. To say nothing of the fact that it’s still without a director, Mercury’s surviving band members, here directly involved, hope to project his life with a PG-rated approach — which is awfully odd when you remember that it’s about a flamboyant rock star who died of AIDS complications. I don’t know how you’d properly give this a safe approach; how a strong picture comes from these reported circumstances is an even greater mystery.

Is there any hope to see Radcliffe take up the Mercury mantle?