After the release of 'Bohemian Rhapsody' last year, and Rami Malek's phenomenal performance as Freddie Mercury, Hollywood cannot get enough of musical biopics. Elton John is the most recent British icon to have been immortalised in film, portrayed by Taron Egerton in 'Rocketman', the trailer for which has been released today.
The eccentric colours and costumes in the trailer promise a film which is just as flamboyant and decorative as the man whose story it tells. We also see a chilling clip of Egerton actually singing in the trailer, playing the opening lines of 'Your Song'. The actor is singing throughout the film, telling Collider: "I will always be singing on set. No miming. I'm just not interested in doing it that way".
The film is directed by Dexter Fletcher, the very man who famously rescued 'Bohemian Rapsody' from disaster after Bryan Singer, the original director, was dismissed. However, while both films can thank Fletcher for direction, he is bringing his own twist to Elton John's story; unlike a traditional biopic, 'Rocketman' will be combining John's songs with the story in order to express the important moments in his life. Egerton even rejected the description "biopic" saying that the film was instead "a fantasy musical".
The Life of Elton John
Despite the eccentric filmography, 'Rocketman' will be faithfully sticking to John's "formative years", says Egerton, and, judging by the trailer, it seems that it will be exploring the artist's personal struggles with alcohol and drugs in depth. The trailer also shows the sexuality of the musician who, although was married to a woman (Renate Blauel) for several years in the 80s, came out as gay not long after their divorce.
Screenplay is by Lee Hall, who is known for writing the hit musical 'Billy Elliot'. 'Rocketman' is coming to cinemas on 31st May this year.
