Back in May, Tom Hardy was rumoured to be circling the lead in the planned biopic of Elton John, Rocketman. Now ScreenDaily confirms the news, as Focus Features has just picked up the movie and says that Hardy is indeed set to star.
Michael Gracey will direct from a screenplay by Lee Hall. It’s previously been reported that the movie will follow Elton John’s journey from 5-year old musical prodigy who by age 11 won a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music, to a young man who rebelled against his strict upbringing, wore outrageous costumes and became a global icon who teamed with songwriter Bernie Taupin to sell more records that just about any musical artist of his era. It will also feature some more fantastical elements and plenty of the singer’s music, in keeping with John’s larger than life personality.
Steve Hamilton Shaw of Elton’s Rocket Pictures comments, “Tom is a stellar talent who will add extraordinary depth and nuance in bringing Elton’s story to life,” said Shaw. “We are excited to have such a gifted actor on board, and equally excited to be in the hands of Peter Schlessel and the entire Focus Features team.”
Hardy is certainly an interesting choice, and hopefully it’ll allow him to show off the more playful slightly camp side that’s sometimes on display in interviews, rather than the hard man we normally see on screen.
The film will shoot during autumn 2014.
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