Not to be outdone by Rami Malek and the Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, Taron Egerton is slipping into his jazziest suit for Rocketman, Paramount’s upcoming Elton John movie that’s seemingly more of a “musical fantasy” than an out-and-out biopic. Whatever the hell that means.
Regardless, the Powers That Be have officially unveiled our first glimpse of Taron Egerton as the illustrious British musician and all-around pop icon and, frankly, he’s totally unrecognizable – so much so, in fact, that it’s hard to say where Egerton ends and Elton John begins.
Directed by Dexter Fletcher (Eddie the Eagle), this first-look image sees Egerton kitted out with a gold lamé jacket and black undershirt paired, and glittery sunglasses to top off what is undoubtedly a ’70s ensemble. The movie itself is best described as an “epic musical fantasy about the uncensored human story of Sir Elton John’s breakthrough years, starring Taron Egerton, Jamie Bell, Gemma Jones, Richard Madden and Bryce Dallas Howard of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.”
Promising an “uncensored” look into the life and legacy of Elton John, Rocketman will seemingly whisk us off on a journey through time, culminating in the historic release of the film’s namesake single in 1972, by which point Elton John had cemented his status as one of the industry’s creative powerhouses.
This, coupled with the enviable ensemble cast, leaves us feeling cautiously optimistic about Rocketman and its chances of success. And to add a little Kingsman touch, we understand Matthew Vaughn has signed on to produce the musical biopic fantasy alongside Elton John and David Furnish (Sherlock Gnomes).
Rocketman blasts off into theaters on May 31st, 2019 – long after Bohemian Rhapsody brings audiences to their feet next month.
