Freddie Mercury Laughed at Wayne's World 'Bohemian Rhapsody' Scene Before His Death

Freddie Mercury, the iconic frontman of Queen, reportedly saw and approved the now-famous "Bohemian Rhapsody" car scene from the film Wayne's World shortly before his death in November 1991, finding great humor in it. Queen guitarist Brian May confirmed that he showed a preview of the sequence to Mercury, who was confined to his bed, and the singer "laughed and laughed" at the portrayal. This pre-release viewing offered Mercury a moment of joy and awareness of the band's impending resurgence in the American market.

The 1992 film Wayne's World is widely credited with revitalizing Queen's popularity in the United States, where their success had waned in the late 1980s. Actor Mike Myers, who starred as Wayne, famously fought for the inclusion of "Bohemian Rhapsody" in the headbanging car scene against studio preferences for other songs. His insistence proved pivotal in creating one of cinema's most memorable musical moments.

Brian May recounted showing the VHS tape of the scene to Mercury, who was very weak at the time. May shared that Mercury loved the scene, remarking, "He was very weak, but he just smiled and laughed and said, ‘Yeah, how wonderful is that?’" The humor resonated with the band's own playful approach to their music, as May noted they often headbanged to their own tracks in a similar fashion.

May also revealed that Mercury was aware of the scene's potential impact on Queen's standing in America. He quoted Mercury as having said, "I suppose I have to die before we get America back," and credited Myers and the film for achieving that very goal. Mercury "went to the next place knowing what had happened and enjoying it," May stated, underscoring the significance of this approval in his final days.

While Wayne's World director Penelope Spheeris has expressed skepticism regarding the exact timing of Mercury viewing the scene due to production schedules, the accounts from Brian May and Mike Myers strongly suggest Mercury's genuine delight. The scene became a cultural phenomenon, propelling "Bohemian Rhapsody" back into the charts and solidifying its legacy for a new generation of fans.