Egerton Lords It Up In New Trailer

Hollywood has the bit between the teeth for musical biopics right now it seems, hot on the heels of Bohemian Rhapsody, and with rumours of a Keith Moon film in the works, Rocketman is attempting to set itself apart from all the others.

The Elton John biopic is attempting to label itself as a “musical fantasy” film rather than a straightforward biographical drama. The difference? It just means this will be visually trippy and full of fantasy sequences.

The film surveys Elton’s life from his years as a prodigy at the Royal Academy of Music through his influential and enduring musical partnership with Bernie Taupin.

Here’s the trailer:

Who’s Playing Sir Elton?

Taron Egerton (Kingsman, Eddie The Eagle) has been confirmed as the lead. He has covered Elton prior to this, with his take on ‘I’m Still Standing’ in 2016’s Sing.

Egerton said he will:

“Do it all. I’m going to do it on set as well. We’re going to use a variety of techniques but I will always be singing on set. No miming. I’m just not interested in doing it that way.”

“I made a real effort to learn the piano. As it turns out, it’s very difficult.”

Tom Hardy had originally signed on to star as Elton in 2013 but eventually pulled out after he struggled with the singing element of the film. Hardy fessed up:

“I’m not a singer. I have no idea really. I’m really trying because of Rocketman but it’s hard to open my mouth in that way.”

Who Else Has Been Cast?

Jamie Bell (Billy Elliot) will play Elton’s songwriting partner Bernie Taupin, Bryce Dallas Howard (Jurassic World) will play John’s mother, Sheila Eileen, Richard Madden (The Bodyguard) will play Elton’s manager John Reid, while Gemma Jones (Bridget Jones’s Diary) will also star.

Who’s Directing?

Dexter Fletcher, who previously worked with Egerton on the Eddie The Eagle biopic, will direct Rocketman. He recently stepped in to take over the Freddie Mercury biopic, Bohemian Rhapsody, after Bryan Singer was fired.

What’s The Story?

The film will follow Elton as he prepares to release ‘Honky Chateau’, his 1972 breakthrough album that featured the landmark single ‘Rocket Man’. It’s been billed as an “uncensored human story” and a “larger than life movie musical spectacle that tells the story of a child prodigy turned music legend”.

Egerton described the film as:

“It’s the world’s first R-rated musical. Everyone thinks it’s a biopic. It isn’t. It’s a fantasy musical so it’s actually his songs used to express important beats in his life at emotional moments. He’s not the only character that sings. It’s going to be fun.”

Rocketman arrives in theaters on May 31, 2019.