Benedict Cumberbatch could play David Bowie in biopic

Benedict Cumberbatch and David Bowie. Photo / AP, Getty Images

Leaked Sony Pictures emails reveal former chairman Amy Pascal wanted Benedict Cumberbatch to play iconic rocker David Bowie in an upcoming Freddie Mercury biopic.

More than 17,000 emails and 30,000 confidential documents, which were stolen from the movie giant's computer network last year, were published on the WikiLeaks website last week.

In one email exchange, Pascal urges producer Graham King to create a scene in the biopic of the late Queen frontman showing the Sherlock actor as Bowie performing their joint hit Under Pressure.

She writes, "Benedict cum batch (sic) wants to play Bowie," to which King replies, "He's not a character in script. Let's talk after you've had a chance to read it."

Pascal responds, "We have to have that scene... Just a musical moment for Under Pressure... Just had lunch with him (Cumberbatch)" and King writes, "Open to it. Let's discuss after you've read. I hear getting (an executive) to agree will be a nightmare, but the band could help."

The biopic is set to feature Bond star Ben Whishaw as flamboyant frontman Mercury, who died aged 45 from an AIDS-related illness in 1991.

- WENN