With Bohemian Rhapsody blowing up the box office, winning the Golden Globe for Best Picture and racking up 5 Oscar nominations, there are millions of people chomping at the bit for another big music biopic. It’s just the nature of the beast. When one film proves more popular than is expected, more follow quickly behind. Should you count yourself among those numbers, you’re in luck, there’s another right around the bend. Quite literally, as Rocketman, a movie about the career of Sir Elton John, is just months away. If that weren’t exciting enough, the cast features Taron Egerton, Bryce Dallas Howard, Jaime Bell and Richard Madden.
As with any film chock-full of musical performances, the question of if the actors involved are actually singing crops up. Well, thanks to a small featurette that popped up yesterday, provides that very answer. While discussing the upcoming project, Egerton, who plays John, sings part of “Tiny Dancer”. Have a look.
There’s a wealth of little nuggets of info nestled into that short minute and a half piece. All of which says the right things about the Rocketman production. Although unseen, music producer Giles Martin conveys Elton John’s stamp of approval, stating “I don’t think I’ve ever heard someone sing my songs any better than Taron.” That’s some high praise there. Martin also says that John wanted Edgerton’s take, rather than just simple recreations. Something Edgerton himself backs up by saying “all we could do is give out heartfelt interpretation of his life and music.” To a degree it’s studio spin, but there’s an honesty to it that makes the film interesting. An element that comes into the short official synopsis, conveying what it portrayed may not stick entirely true to facts:
“Rocketman is musical fantasy about the uncensored human story of Elton John’s breakthrough years.”
One of the more intriguing aspects here is director Dexter Fletcher (Eddie The Eagle). Before signing on for Rocketman, he worked on Bohemian Rhapsody. Most famously taking over directorial duties, after Bryan Singer was fired from the production. It’s not exasctly known how much work he did. Some sources saying it was just the last couple weeks of principal photography. While others say he also helped edit and shape the picture. All of which is interesting, given that Fletcher was originally slated to direct the film, before leaving due to creative differences. When this new film hits theaters, should it follow closely to the formula and beats of Rhapsody, we may finally have our answer.
Are you all excited for a movie about Elton John’s career? What’s your favorite song by the prolific performer? Is an actor actually doing the singing, rather than lip-synching, in a film important to you? What did you think of Bohemian Rhapsody? Let us know in the comments. Get ready to be taken on a musical journey, when Rocketman blasts off, on May 31st.
