Taron Egerton as Elton John in "Rocketman"

[MrMaooz]

Tom Hardy To Play Elton John In Biopic

Tom Hardy will star as Elton John in Rocket Pictures’ “Rocketman” and Focus Features has come aboard to give the film a “major” U.S. release.

The film be co-financed by AI Film with a shoot set for fall next year. “Rocketman” will be directed by Michael Gracey from a screenplay by Lee Hall (“War Horse&#8221.

John plans to re-record many of his hit songs for the film.

“Rocketman” is produced by Steve Hamilton Shaw and David Furnish of Rocket Pictures and Lawrence Bender on behalf of AI Film. That production-financing company has been created out of the acquisition of Icon by Len Blavatnik’s Access Industries.

John and Blavatnik are executive producing, along with AI Film CEO Aviv Giladi and Focus Features CEO Peter Schlessel.

UTA Independent Film Group arranged financing for the project and negotiated the project’s sale to FilmDistrict. Good Universe is handling international sales.

“Tom is quickly becoming known as one of the world’s most versatile actors, and like others at the top of their craft, he has proven his ability to transform himself completely into the character or subject found in the material,” said Schlessel. “We are confident that Tom will embody the physicality and spirit of Sir Elton. This, in conjunction with the creative team led by Michael and Rocket Pictures, will provide the foundation for something that will be a unique cinematic event.”

http://variety.com/2013/film/news/tom-hardy-will-be-elton-john-in-biopic-1200755553/

It's official!

 

[Pink Ranger]

Rose Byrne as Kiki Dee!

 

[craigdbfan]

This is going to be fun.

 

[747]

One of my favorite actors, playing one of my favorite artists. You can bet I'm excited.

 

[Airwings]

Interesting!

What's next, Radcliffe as young Cliff Richard?

 

[Laderlappen]

Well, at least its out of his comfort zone but Im not sure how interested I am of seeing an Elton John movie. Thats nothing against Elton John, I think he is a great musician, but we have plenty of biopics of musicians.

 

[dark_b]

is this out of his comfort zone hahah ?

 

[DaRkVeNgeanCe]

This is some awesome news, I don't think there could've been more perfect casting than this.

 

[Sawyer]

I could see the portrayal being quite something, but I'm curious to see the physical transformation. Hardy is a considerably better looking man than Elton, even in his prime.

 

[Schlosser85]

Hardy looks nothing like Elton (fortunately for Hardy). This casting was "huh?" to me when I first heard whispers about it, and it still is.

But I do admit to a certain perverse desire to see Hardy in full Elton regalia, and to see the looks on the faces of some of his fanboys who only know him from stuff like Warrior or Bane.

 

[Eddie Dean]

 

[Schlosser85]

 

[terry78]

He should sing some of the songs in the Bane voice.

 

[jacobed]

There is no way this can be bad

 

[Schlosser85]

Even if it's not necessarily good, there's no way it can fail to be entertaining.

It's Tom Hardy...as Elton John.

 

[Drizzle]

He should sing some of the songs in the Bane voice.

He should at least give us "Rocket Man" with the Bane voice.

 

[antsman41]

Um... who will be playing the real star of the show, Bernie Taupin?

 

[Brother Jack]

This is weird. But definitely interesting. Hardy is a fearless actor and this is pretty much unlike anything he's ever done before.

 

[Bruce Malone]

Can he even sing or at least emulate vaguely elton john's singing? I think what made ray and walk the line more impressive performance wise, is that Phoenix and Fox both for at least some parts actually did sing themselves.

 

[Schlosser85]

Hardy is a chameleon with a lot of range (IMO), but if he pulls off Elton John, he'll definitely show even more of it. This could be a massive facepalm-worthy fail or it could be Oscar bait.

We'll see.

 

[Schlosser85]

Can he even sing or at least emulate vaguely elton john's singing? I think what made ray and walk the line more impressive performance wise, is that Phoenix and Fox both for at least some parts actually did sing themselves.

Reportedly Elton is re-recording some of his hits specifically for the movie, so I'm assuming Hardy is lip-syncing.

I have a hard time even imagining Hardy talking like Elton, let alone singing like him. If there's one common trait of Hardy's across every role, it's that marble-mouthed mumbly voice he has, no matter what kind of accent he's doing. Will be interesting to see if he can change it up.

They are such total opposites though. Hardy has this scruffy, ruggedly handsome, burly masculine look about him, while Elton is fey and baby-faced, especially when he was young. Hardy has kind of a gruff, growly voice, while there is definitely nothing "gruff" about Elton. Some serious transformation will be required here, physically, vocally, and his entire demeanor.

 

[craigdbfan]

It won't be an easy performance that's for sure.

 

[Schlosser85]

If nothing else, Hardy's showing some cajones even trying to do this, but it could go either way.

 

[craigdbfan]

That's true. Like you said it'll be entertaining either way. I'm hoping for a great performance that will hopefully get him some attention during award season though.

 

[Schlosser85]

Hardy's overdue for some award love, IMO.