Queen ‘s Brian May has been spending a lot of time in his studio lately, from his work on the score to June’s Masters of the Universe ( out soon on vinyl) to a collaboration with William Shatner. After decades of touring, he’s enjoying time at home, so he’s not anxious to play shows right now — but in a recent Zoom chat with Rolling Stone , he again made it clear that he’s not ruling it out. He also talked about Queen’s scores for Flash Gordon and Highlander , the newly restored Q ueen Budapest concert film, and more.

The composer Daniel Pemberton, who worked with you on Masters of the Universe , told me you’d sit and think for a while and then play fully formed parts.

Yes, that’s the way I tend to be. If I can’t hear it in my head, I can’t play it. ’Cause to me, the guitar is a voice, and if you don’t know what you’re gonna say, it’s pointless opening your mouth, really.…