The frontman of rock band Queen could return to the stage as a hologram after the company that manages his back catalogue filed a trademark for his name in 3D and virtual reality.

Freddie Mercury could return to the stage as a hologram – 33 years after his death.

The company which manages the former lead singer of Queen’s back catalogue has filed a trademark for his name in 3D and virtual reality, according to newspaper reports.

Legal papers show the name has been registered for “immersive 3D virtual, augmented, and mixed reality experiences”‘ and “virtual environments”.

The initiative follows the estate of George Michael filing documentation that shows it plans to branch out into live events, fuelling speculation that the former Wham! singer might return to the stage as a hologram.

Rock band KISS have also unveiled ‘immortal’ digital avatars that will carry on their performances when band members are no longer able to tour.

The spate of projects involving holograms of pop stars has been fuelled by the success of London’s Abba Voyage show, which sold more than a million tickets in the first year, making it London’s sixth-most-visited paid attraction in 2022.

Last year, Queen guitarist Brian May, 76, told The Graham Norton Radio Show podcast: “We’ve talked about – and looked at – very seriously, holograms of Freddie and stuff.

“Now, when we’re all gone, yeah sure, make an Abba thing about us. But while we’re here I want to play live. I don’t want to be a hologram – I want to be me.’

Queen has not used a hologram of Mercury to date, although the band has played video footage of the late singer during performances.