Watch on. The music is now always going to be something extra special and important. Our site has more than 2 million unique monthly visitors and 1 million subscribers. To help him prep for the role, "we managed to find Elton's hand-written diaries from 1970 to 1976," John's husband, David Furnish, told THR. Its, of course, hard work. Ive been doing singing lessons Elton John hints at upcoming new music in this quote from his song Dont Tell Me How It Feels. After years of retirement, Elton John is putting pen to paper on new songs. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. "I was most proud of the work that was characterized by being only really suitable for an older viewer," Egerton says. Taron Egerton as Elton John in Rocketman PARAMOUNT, LOS ANGELESNow that Rocketman has rocketed off to worldwide box-office earnings of more than $134 million, Taron Egerton, who plays Elton John in the musical biopic and worked tirelessly to promote the film, plans to lie down for a really long time.. Its lead starinsert shady eyes emojiis heard doing his own singing in the final film version. Don't miss out on the latest news and information. When Egerton learned that Elton would be returning to the stage in 2020, he was overjoyed, proving that they are very much alike. Yet Bohemian Rhapsody grossed that much money, and won that many awards. Does Taron Egerton Play Piano In Rocketman? That was my twenties. They were PG13, we are an R. Thats not to say that there isnt crossover. Elton is quite interested in the world around him, and theres something quite infectious about that. Hes a once-in-a-lifetimehell, probably once everbeamed-from-another-planet personality, talent, raconteur, and renegade. The gay community has been burned so many times before by LGBTQ+ movie representation that theyre practically calloused. The first films success catapulted Egerton to popularity and landed him a three-film deal with 20th Century Fox. Do you still sing or listen to Eltons songs? I want to be a good actor first.". But its an inspiring [line]. The British actor is also back as the singing and talking voice of Johnny, the teenage gorilla in the animated sequel, Sing 2, to be released in 2021. So, in that sense, Bryan Singer snagging a PG-13 for his blustery Freddie Mercury biopic was as much about getting certain adult moviegoers as it was about getting kids, to the extent that youngsters would care about a group that was already "old" when Wayne's World came out 27 years ago. Because Elton was not at peace with who he was, he has lived through some real rejection during those years when he was most fragile and tender. Within the first few minutes of "Rocketman," we know this is no typical biopic. "Maybe Sing 3, but it wasnt in this one and a lot of people have been saying that and Im like thats right, Buster Moon should sing, whistle, diddy, hum, dance, something. Egerton is performing "Crocodile Rock" when he, the piano, and the entire concert crowd begin to levitate. Of course, R-rated musical doesnt necessarily have the cha-ching ring of dollar signs to it. He is determined to prove to the world that he is capable of greatness as a singer and performer, and he has dedicated himself to the necessary training and hard work required to be a great singer and performer. And that was absolutely the best [reaction] it could have been. Can You Learn Bass And Guitar At The Same Time? Do You Know Buddy Boeheim Net Worth, Biography, Latest Career? Elton and Egerton were also close friends, as the two shared a passion for cars, with Egerton learning to drive before the actor took the singer for a spin in a modified Rolls-Royce. Im not a natural pianist, Egerton said. "Rocketman works and thrives when it feels like it's existing in a realm that isn't quite our world. A graduate of NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, he lives in Brooklyn, where he can be found DJing '60s soul records. "If I learned an instrument and in 10 years I felt that I was proficient enough to write some music, then of course I would entertain the idea [of an album]. This was great news for Egerton, who was able to tack on another hit to his resume. And where Elton John was known for refusing to take himself seriously, especially onstage, Egerton has approached this role of a lifetime as if it is, in fact, a lifelong commitment. He is a Welsh actor and singer. It's re-imagined." Other performers who come in just below him and just above Egerton include Reese Witherspoon and Scarlett Johansson, who will be making $700,000 and $550,000, respectively. Its not any other description you want to give it. Tarons vocals were given a unique spin. I also had a penchant for gold hot pants It was during this time that I discovered the piano. If youre watching it, Im writing about it, and having a great time doing so. Its like Little Shop of Horrors, a fucking plant comes down from outer space and ends up eating people and singing, but theres something very real and relatable about it still. He was crying out for help, whether he knew it or not, and for whatever reason he didnt get that help. But we stuck our flag in the sand, the director says. It would seem absurd to expect the same thing from a movie about Johns life that includes the phrase, I have fucked everything that moves. John himself has said the reason it took so long for the film to materialize was because he refused to water down his life. (Laughs) My mom knows the boy who lies dormant within me, so I dont think she was that surprised. There's just something and it's not really something that you can define". "My voice gets deeper over the course of the film, and my accent changes. They had a halfway decent 2018 slate (A Quiet Place, Mission: Impossible - Fallout, Book Club and Bumblebee), but they have thus far struggled in 2019. He began acting as a child, and he also took piano lessons and worked with Michael L. Roberts, who taught Egerton a lot about singing. Portraying someone as iconic as Elton John on the big screen is a very difficult task, which is why everyone from Tom Hardy to Justin Timberlake was initially considered for the role in the upcoming biopic Rocketman until producers settled on Taron Egerton. Yes, of course. And sure, he didnt always look for it in the right place, but its still a theme of the movieand thats why its in there, and were very proud of it. Before Sharing Underwear Snap, Elton John Celebrates 75th Birthday with Sweet Message from Husband David Furnish: 'Glorious, Loving, Kind', 50 Years of 'Rocket Man': Inside the Song That's Sustained Elton John's Stardom for a 'Long, Long Time', Elton John and David Furnish's Cutest Family Photos, Jamie Lee Curtis, Lorraine Bracco, Taron Egerton and More React to Ray Liotta's Death: 'Shattered', Elton John Adds 11 New U.S. Sing 2 just hit theaters back in November, and it has had a nice haul at the global box office. The actor stated in an interview that he recently suffered from loneliness but that he is now pleased since he is dating a young lady. Egerton clarified his sexuality by stating, One of the boys was at his London house.. Asked if the constant comparisons might help given the industry's preference for projects with clear similarities to past wins at the box office or awards, he says, "I think there's room for both. Elton circa 1976 plays an important role in the film, and Taron has perfect mannerisms and looks like he is doing it. We could laugh about it. The actor apologizes for the rasp in his voicea result of a really great weekend in which he celebrated his 30th birthdaywhen we meet in New York ahead of award-season campaigning for his work in the film, which just this week garnered him Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild nominations, and solid footing in a turbulent Best Actor Oscars race. On the small screen, the actor has worked on projects like Watership Down, Moominvalley, and The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. Now that "Rocketman" has rocketed off to worldwide box-office earnings of more than $134 million, Taron Egerton, who plays Elton John in the musical biopic and worked tirelessly to promote the . If it maintains that spread, it'll earn between $170 million and $184 million worldwide, or 4.45x its $41 million budget. Its been six months but Im already a little nostalgic. Some studios wanted to tone down the sex and drugs so the film would get a PG-13 rating, John wrote in The Guardian. I pulled a moony to the crew at the start of the day just to kill some of the tension. Bring it up to the director, Im with you," he said. The fact that Fletcher stepped in to finish directing Bohemian Rhapsody once Bryan Singer was fired from the set tied the films closer together. He was named one of GQs 50 best-dressed British men in 2015 and 2016. Rocketman will be in British cinemas on May 24, 2019. In the film Rocketman, Egerton gives a moving and intimate performance as a iconic artist, and his talent is breathtaking. The film Rocketman, starring Taron Egerton as Sir Elton John, has received rave reviews. Everything about it was extraordinary.. Rocketman, the musical fantasy, as it was billed, about Elton Johns early career and struggles with addiction and sexuality, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in Maywhich might as well have been last century in award voters recency-biased minds. Next: This Four-Year-Old 'Modern Family' Cast Member Was Able To Double Her Salary. I wanted to include this idea of putting on the mask. Egerton could act, sing and dance all in Johns trademark platform shoes. As Taron Egerton suggested in his quote to THR, half of Bohemian Rhapsody's record-breaking money is still about half a billion dollars worldwide, a success by any metric for a film of this size . Taron Egerton looking sharp in Kingsman: The Golden Circle. With a Wednesday gross of $1.17 million (-26% from last Wednesday), Dexter Fletcher's Rocketman has crossed the $70 million mark at the domestic box office. ), "Bohemian Rhapsody was great, and I thought Rami Malek, who's a friend of mine, was phenomenal in the role [of Freddie Mercury]," Egerton says. We want to hear it. A year later, Captain America: Civil War was considered a return to form from fans and critics, but audiences mostly responded to it as yet another decent MCU movie. Egerton attended elementary school at Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, Anglesey, Wales. There is a huge demographic of general moviegoers who are more-than-old-enough to see an R-rated movie in a theater but generally would prefer not to. Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Song), Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role, Outstanding Achievement in Casting - Big Budget Feature - Comedy, Outstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing for Motion Pictures - Live Action, Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy, Best Compilation Soundtrack For Visual Media, Best Period and/or Character Makeup - Feature-Length Motion Picture, Best Special Makeup Effects - Feature-Length Motion Picture, Best Period and/or Character Hair Styling - Feature-Length Motion Picture, Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing - Musical for Feature Film, Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing - Dialogue and ADR for Feature Film, Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical. Egerton told Collider before filming began that he planned on singing alone and did an excellent job. Ive had that.. At this current rate of play, it should end its domestic run with around $85 million-to-$90 million. Although you can kill the person you were born to be to become the person you want to be, you also have to love your authentic self.. Meanwhile, Taron is earning critical praise in director Dexter Fletchers Rocketman, which also features Jamie Bell (Bernie Taupin) and Richard Madden (John Reid). How did your mom react to seeing you in all these costumes? I had to have piano lessons. Garry Eggsy Unwin, Harry Harts (Colin Firth) young protg, was played by Matthew Vaughn in Kingsman: The Secret Service and Kingsman: The Golden Circle. I think its such an incredible thing for someone to go from such a low ebb to such titanic, gargantuan success., The message of Rocketman is clear in a new song John composed with longtime lyricist Bernie Taupin, (Im Gonna) Love Me Again, which he performs as a duet with Egerton over the films closing credits. . Did you feel the pressure following in the footsteps of Bohemian Rhapsody, which was so successful? 24Kgoldn Net Worth, Biography, Career, Personal, And Facts, Sam Logan Net Worth, Biography, Career, Personal, And Facts, Terrence Williams Net Worth, Biography, Career, Personal, And Facts, Wesley Laga Net Worth, Biography, Career, Personal, And Facts, Rick Leventhal Net Worth, Biography, Career, Personal, And Facts. And the film starts with a duet of The Bitch Is Back performed by Egertons John and his younger self, Reggie Dwight from Pinner, played by Matthew Illesley. The studio nixed that part of the sequence before even mentioning that the gay sex scene might have gone on for too long. We cant wait for his next adventure. "When I was 20, I said I was going to learn an instrument properly, and I'm about to turn 30 and I haven't," he says. Rocketman is currently playing in theaters throughout the United Kingdom and around the world. Back in 2018, much was made of Rami Malek's song-less performance as Eddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody. Theres something and its not something you can define.. Do You Know Zenaida Moya Net Worth, Biography, Career? (The memoir Me that John published six months after the film bowed is even more explicit about both his hookups and intense cocaine use, all of which Egerton seems to delight in reading aloud for the unabridged audiobook.). Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Egerton is a multilingual actor who is fluent in both Welsh and English. By providing an email address. One of the memorable lines in the movie is, You have to kill the person you were born to be to become the person you want to be. Is this something you take to heart? Yeah, I still listen to the songs for pleasure, which is a testament to how wonderful they are. Im not going to say Im amazing now, but I can bash out a few tunes. Egerton also revealed that he did his own singing in the film, with some help from a vocal coach. It was moving to see how moved you were by the cheers and applause after the films gala screening in Cannes. As Richard has said, its in the movie because its not a gay sex scene. Taron Egerton stars as Henk Rogers, a Dutch entrepreneur determined to secure the licensing . He enjoys talking about the experience now, with enough remove from the cannon-blast of press when the film premiered. "There's a spark in him," the actor says about John, "and you feel it when you meet him. Its only when he finds the strength within him in the last act of the movie to finally accept that self, that hes able to achieve redemption. We cant wait to see what he has in store now that hes back in the spotlight. Taron Egerton plays Elton John in Rocketman from Paramount Pictures. Its sort of done. "And it seems to heighten peoples' response to and affection for him.". The film grossed $195 million worldwide on a budget of $40 million, and has so far scored major nominations at the Golden Globes, SAG Awards, and Critics Choice Awards. We love the songs. It also meant another solid paycheck for the performer. The actor admitted that playing John was an intimidating experience. It was what they wanted from the movie, and everything else was just a distraction. Egerton was a regular cast member of Sky1s The Smoke television series. Despite not playing the piano or singing like Elton John himself, Taron Egerton did an amazing job portraying the iconic musician in Rocketman. For Rocketman, Egerton learned enough piano to passably play in John's style, or look like it, but was adamant about singing his way through every take of every scene, even when it was clear they'd need to blend together what was captured on set with studio sessions. Thats nearly what Elton did. Im not going to stop calling my friends cuties and lovely because they are., Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Snapchat. The Welsh actor will be in charge of playing the legendary singer in this film. "I have this Forrest Gump-ian way of touching something and it becomes a hit!" Let's take a look at the success of Sing 2 and see how much Taron Egerton made to voice Johnny in the franchise once again. There was no element of awkwardness or strangeness. I think thats something that we share., That duality is a recurring theme of Rocketman, in which the adult John tries to make peace with the unhappy and misunderstood little boy inside, born Reggie Dwight in the London suburb of Pinner. After selling over 250 million albums worldwide, the singer returns to the musical inspiration for a performance at a tribute concert for Leon Russell. I didnt really know the song Hercules before the movie. Also, over the past few months, Elton and I have had this incredible experience of performing together. Hes a very unusual character and he has a lot of contradictions, says Egerton. I had a vocal coach, but it was me. The actor did an impressive job nailing Johns distinct vocal style, and many fans were amazed by his vocal performance in the film. The latest movie news, trailers, reviews, and more. But now I don't think my heart would flutter. Despite the exposure, he chooses not to discuss his romantic relationships. Suddenly, Illumination had another major property on their hands, and soon enough, the ball got rolling on a sequel project. Audiences didn't dislike Age of Ultron as much as the media/pundit class did, so Civil War wasn't considered as huge of an upswing in perceived quality. Journalists even speculated that Taron Egerton was homosexual, but the actor promptly debunked the accusations. His 1976 coming out interview in Rolling Stone was the first of its kind, making him essentially the most famous queer person in the world. The Idol: How HBOs Next Euphoria Became Twisted Torture Porn Egerton starred in 2016's Sing, offering his voice for Johnny, a singing gorilla who enters an American Idol -style singing competition. Entertainment Weekly is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation All Rights Reserved. Other stars in the film include Bryce Dallas Howard, Richard Madden, and Jamie Bell. No word yet on when Taron will return, if at all, as Eggsy in a third Kingsman movie. But whats sure is that he will be seen as Rian in the much-awaited The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance series, which premieres on Netflix on Aug. 30. While the obvious comparisons would be potentially frustrating for Rocketman promotionthe mention of Bohemian Rhapsodys shadow is the only time Egerton lets out a beleaguered sigh: Yeah thatthe film was in other ways absolved for not being like Bohemian Rhapsody, really, at all. In Hollywood, theres always serendipity. "I think there's wisdom in not being precious about those things, because then you're doing something for a press soundbite rather than for the betterment of the film," he says. He wasnt well. ", Because Rocketman is a film about a gay '70s rock icon, comparisons to Bohemian Rhapsody were inevitable, even before both had been released. Fletcher has gone on record saying that, while he made sure to do the best job he could in the stressful and rushed Bohemian Rhapsody situation, he was not emotionally attached to it.. Peter Williams is a graduate of B.A Arts and Culture from the University of Technology Sydney. To see the ink that he wrote these songs in, beginning when hes about 23 and going through to probably when he was nearly 30, was just incredible., Through spending time together, Egerton recognized the two sides of John the superstar and the man behind the bejeweled sunglasses. Submit a correction suggestion and help us fix it! And youll discover a gem that you havent heard before. In recent months as awards buzz about his performance has grown, Egerton has accompanied John, John's husband and Rocketman producer David Furnish, and John's songwriting partner Bernie Taupin to a steady schedule of panel discussions, screenings, and receptions around Los Angeles. Rocketman stars Taron as Sir Elton, and he claims that he became friends with the music icon during filming because he brought Sir Eltons story to life on screen, and that the two formed a genuine friendship while working together. Its an artificial thing to go through, but not if youre working with an actor who you get on with as well as Richard and I do, and youre able to discuss it candidly and navigate the difficulties effectively. He has two half-sisters who are younger than him. How, then, to explain what Taron Egerton accomplishes in Rocketman? If any of this was considered a gamble, it seems to be paying off. At the end of its theatrical run, Sing had grossed north of $600 million, making it a genuine hit. A person shouldnt be able to play Elton John. With an R rating and a studio willing to stick to that creative decision Rocketman skipped opening in China entirely. But then he had to park his troubles and go be Elton John. Sure, Taron Egerton is on screen made up and dressed up like Elton John, but in short order he storms out of a . Taron Egerton stars as Elton John in Rocketman. Its fantastic to see Egerton in Rocketman, and he adds a lot of depth to the film. Then theres the specter of Bohemian Rhapsody to talk through. There is no way to know for sure without further information. That's a pretty solid sum for an R-rated musical biopic, especially one that is comparatively unapologetic about its lead being gay (and actually partaking in onscreen same-sex relations). Powered by InsiderPeeps. Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. "I just want to have something that can accompany a vocal so that when I sing late at night at parties in a completely unsolicited fashion, it looks a little bit more valid and justified," he says. Taron Egerton did an admirable job portraying Elton John in the 2019 biopic Rocketman, but many fans were curious about one thing: whether or not Egerton actually played the piano in the film. I wanted to perform it myself because I enjoy the song and wanted to do justice to it. Egerton, according to Furnish, has the same sensitivity and gentleness as Elton, but also the same manliness. Julian Day, who Ive worked with before, is an extraordinarily gifted designer. Entertainment Weekly may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. David Appleby/Paramount Pictures. Rocketman, directed by Richard Lester, is a biographical musical film about a young musician named Rocketman. After the premiere screening of "Rocketman" wrapped on Thursday evening, Egerton was spotted in the audience crying as viewers rose from their chairs to give the actor a massive standing ovation. As a teenager, the 29-year-old auditioned for drama school by singing Your Song, the 1970 classic that launched Captain Fantastic into orbit. Please try again. The 72-year-old singer-songwriter apparently loved what he saw, at least according to producer Matthew Vaughn. Looking back on his life, Taron Egerton seemed destined to portray Sir Elton Hercules John in Rocketman the new based on a true fantasy musical biopic. Were inspired by them, so we pay homage to them by subtly reimagining them. If you've got a set with 200 people and you're singing a song, the audio that's captured in that moment isn't going to be unadulterated and pure. Taron Egerton as Elton John in 'Rocketman'. But it's not going to be something that happens anytime soon. Pam Grier reflects on her most iconic roles, from Coffy to Jackie Brown. Get your karaoke on and sing-along with Elton John (Taron Egerton) to the iconic pop track, Your Song, . Egerton started acting when he was 15, then scored a scholarship to London's prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, from which he graduated in 2012 and within a year was cast as the young. Egertons dedication to the role is evident in his performance, and the film is definitely worth watching for his impressive portrayal of Elton John. It's going to be compromised by all of the paraphernalia of filmmaking. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. There are things in history and his personal life that we are going to address, and that does mean he might kiss a man. Ive recorded a few songs in the past. Copyright 2020. As a result, followers of the attractive guy may only follow him on Instagram and other social media platforms, hoping that journalists would publish images of their hero with his girlfriend. There was the usual globe-trotting promotional tour, starting at its May premiere in Cannes he openly wept as the credits rolled to a fan frenzy upon his arrival in Tokyo and impromptu performance on Paramount Japan's TikTok alongside director Dexter Fletcher. Taron Egerton plays Elton John in Rocketman, a biopic about the Rockstar. David Appleby/Paramount Pictures. "And Taron came down one day and sat on the front lawn of our house, on a nice . Taron Egerton was brought back for the sequel, and based on his salary, he definitely increased his impressive net worth. Over the years, we have been providing quality content, commentaries, opinions and insights on arts and music. Saturday Nights Alright for Fighting is an old-school production number performed by a massive ensemble at a 1950s carnival. Rocket Man. Taron Egerton oozed old Hollywood as he attended the 29th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles on Sunday.. I think he wanted us to do something impressionistic rather than photographic, Egerton says. "I think you accept me as him quite quickly and you invest in the character of Elton John, which is informed and determined and inspired by and in homage to him, but is ultimately my creation," he says. It has been suggested that Egertons voice is similar to that of Elton John. And when I was hearing his voice, I was hearing me, but it wasnt me. Its easy to see why his voice has been compared to that of Elton John. And I think if I don't do myself the service of spending time learning that skill, then I'm an idiot.". Dora and the City of Lost Gold is a coin toss, Crawl is a pure genre play and both Will Smith's Gemini Man and Blake Lively's Rhythm Section look like prime candidates for audiences who claim to want original or high concept movies for adults to ignore while complaining that Hollywood doesn't make anything for them anymore. 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