The actor enters awards season as not only Elton John's stand-in but now also a close friend and an accomplished singer. According to Collider, Egerton was extremely pleased when the company let him do so. How did your mom react to seeing you in all these costumes? That rock-bottom moment provides the film's frame, which means this is more than just a paint-by-numbers saunter . Of course, there is no way to talk about the exceptional work that Egerton has turned in without taking some time to focus on his work in the Sing franchise. "There's a spark in him," the actor says about John, "and you feel it when you meet him. Rocketman, which John and Furnish spent over a decade trying to bring to the screen, could have easily suffered from its subject being too close to both the story and its star. Audiences (and awards groups) liked or loved Bohemian Rhapsody because it was a glossy, energetic and genuinely cinematic rock opera that doubled as a biopic with a stellar lead performance (Rami Malek) and a toe-tapping jukebox musical/concert flick filled with Queen music. Taron Egerton plays Sir Elton John in the film Rocketman, based on the fantasy musical biography. For us, of course, we hope that international audiences connect with the movie and love it in the way that they love Eltons music. It's not fair, but considering Paramount's current struggles, Rocketman really needed to be an ace in the hole. We are, sure, celebrating a pop stars life, but we are also celebrating a standard bearer of that communitys life. Egerton attended elementary school at Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, Anglesey, Wales. But then he had to park his troubles and go be Elton John. John's R-rated exploits frame the film, starting with his stint in rehab for multiple addictions, flashing back through years of substance use, toxic relationships and legendary fits of anger. 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.. "I have this Forrest Gump-ian way of touching something and it becomes a hit!" He is a Welsh actor and singer. 2023 Oscars predictions: See who will win at the 95th Academy Awards. But its an inspiring [line]. Despite the exposure, he chooses not to discuss his romantic relationships. The conversations about Bryan Singer's rumored history of inappropriate sexual behavior and/or whether the movie would hide (or condemn) Mercury's status as a bisexual man who died of AIDS, were both valuable in keeping the film in the spotlight and irrelevant to 99% of paying consumers. Stylistically, were a musical thats a biopic. Yes, yes he did. Contact Us, [1]: https://en.24smi.org/celebrity/48371-taron-egerton.html, [2]: https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/taron-egerton-36472.php, [3]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taron_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. Of course, R-rated musical doesnt necessarily have the cha-ching ring of dollar signs to it. I wanted to include this idea of putting on the mask. When factoring in rehearsals, filming, recording the soundtrack at Abbey Road, and spending time living with and getting to know the icon and his husband, David Furnish, the last three years of Egertons life have been spent in the headspace of Elton John. When you get to the end of your teens, youre not like, Thats the end of my teens! Youre like, Yeah! 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. Three hours a day, five days a week, for eight weeks, pencils out to 120 hours of practice at the piano, plus whatever else the teacher student did during production. Hes a very unusual character and he has a lot of contradictions, says Egerton. Over the course of his career, he's profiled the surviving Beatles, Brian Wilson, Aretha Franklin, Roger Waters, David Byrne, Pete Townshend, Debbie Harry, Quincy Jones, Brian May, Jerry Lee Lewis, James Taylor and many more. By continuing, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Meanwhile, Taron is earning critical praise in director Dexter Fletchers Rocketman, which also features Jamie Bell (Bernie Taupin) and Richard Madden (John Reid). He demonstrated a natural talent for playing a wide range of songs by ear when he began playing guitar at the age of seven. 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. There was no element of awkwardness or strangeness. "If it's something that involves a skill that is based around muscularity and muscle memory, I don't think you can do enough.". Scrutiny is going to be a part of that.. The film's first single, Rocketman, has been released. Though Rocketman was produced by Furnish, John didnt see it in full until the premiere at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this month. The voice of Taron Egerton is spot-on, and the films authenticity is enhanced even more by his performance as Rocketman. I had to have piano lessons. Egerton has sung on stage with John a number of times now, going back to last year's Oscar party to benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation, where they performed "Tiny Dancer," up through last month's show at the Greek, where they belted out "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" and "(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again," the new Taupin-penned duet John and Egerton sing over the Rocketman credits (coming soon to a Best Song nomination near you). In the action-adventure-drama, a prequel to Jim Hensons 1982 The Dark Crystal, Taron stars with Caitriona Balfe, Helena Bonham Carter, Mark Hamill and Alicia Vikander. By providing an email address. Its fantastic to see Egerton in Rocketman, and he adds a lot of depth to the film. 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. 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Everything we cant stop loving, hating, and thinking about this week in pop culture. You could hear the sighs of relief back in Hollywood when the audience at the Cannes premiere saw that the gay sex and fleeting bare bums made it into the film intact. Thats the whole point of Elton John being Elton John. The Kingsman movies and Robin Hood star was just 18 when John first started developing a film about his life. Its feeling a little sugar-coatedalthough it was already pretty sugar-coated at the time., Theres a bit of a wince when he jokes about the big, scary birthday and turning 30. We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. We spoke with Michael L. Roberts, Egertons piano and vocals coach, to get his perspective on what goes into making a film about Elton John. There's just something and it's not really something that you can define". Send us a tip using our anonymous form. That voice. Watch on. And they have just been very, very kind and generous in terms of granting me access to their lives behind closed doors.. I want to be a good actor first.". Taron Egerton (Elton John) plays Elton in this film from his teens through his late 30s. David Appleby/Paramount Pictures. Then, as an up-and-coming star, the Welsh-raised actor crossed paths with John when the rock legend had a cameo in 2017s Kingsman 2: The Golden Circle. 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. Animated movies have always had an incredible way of blending film and music, and many of the biggest animated hits around incorporate music brilliantly. Ive actually never done a love scene. ", One major differentiation is Egerton's singing; the other is in Rocketman's direct, tender approach to Elton John's sexual awakening. ), "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 got on with it and we did our job. And we hope that the audience will feel excited by that as we are. David Appleby/Paramount Pictures. But that guys drunk onstage drinking whiskey, sweating, looking like hes going to fall off the stage any minute, giving this electric performance. Bennie and the Jets (Interlude) Taron Egerton. Oh, thatd be super fun. Suddenly, Illumination had another major property on their hands, and soon enough, the ball got rolling on a sequel project. "And Taron came down one day and sat on the front lawn of our house, on a nice . Some might have expected this number to be a bit higher, but Egerton is part of an ensemble cast, and if the website's numbers are accurate, then no one is even cracking $1 million. Do You Know Buddy Boeheim Net Worth, Biography, Latest Career? The most important thing is that its a musical, says director Dexter Fletcher, who arrives to our interview singing a song from Little Shop of Horrors. How Marvel went big with Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Egerton is performing "Crocodile Rock" when he, the piano, and the entire concert crowd begin to levitate. "Rocketman works and thrives when it feels like it's existing in a realm that isn't quite our world. In the video, he plays piano parts from the film. The wicked sense of humor they shared made them fast friends, but Egertons electrifying cover of Im Still Standing in the animated feature Sing set him apart from other contenders (namely Tom Hardy) to play John in the long-discussed film. "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. Patiently waiting for the X-Men to enter the MCU and help take down Galactus! Entertainment Weekly is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation All Rights Reserved. If it maintains that spread, it'll earn between $170 million and $184 million worldwide, or 4.45x its $41 million budget. What Men Want earned a solid $72 million on a $20 million budget, butWonder Parkflopped hard and (likeRocketman) thePet Semetaryremake felt like a let down because it didn't really break out ($121 million on a $21 million budget). It was just what Elton desired. "I've never felt so passionate about something and so protective," he says. To date, the film has scored nearly $250 million worldwide. When Egerton learned that Elton would be returning to the stage in 2020, he was overjoyed, proving that they are very much alike. Do You Know Lisa Shoman Net Worth, Biography, Career? Published on May 31, 2019 10:42 AM. How much time is spent in the film is he singing and playing the piano? think piece sandbox. This was great news for Egerton, who was able to tack on another hit to his resume. Im not a natural pianist, Egerton said. It's not quite our Elton. David Lindley, Multi-Instrumentalist Who Shaped the Sound of Soft Rock, Dead at 78 Egerton was reported in 2015 that he was a member of the Billionaire Boys Club. 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 . Which was important, Fletcher says, because the last thing they wanted to be was The Also-Ran Rocketman.. 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. Don't miss out on the latest news and information. It was Edward Richard Smith, often known as Mad Teddy Smith by many. He was crying out for help, whether he knew it or not, and for whatever reason he didnt get that help. Copyright 2020. Do You Know Elmira Minita Gordon Net Worth, Biography, Career? The Welsh actor will be in charge of playing the legendary singer in this film. Taron Egerton shouldnt have been this good in the movie. Its easy to see why his voice has been compared to that of Elton John. At this time, there is no word on a third Sing film, but considering that Sing 2 was the highest-grossing animated movie of 2021, we can see it happening. "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. I always was probably frankly slightly paranoid about those parts of the story being filleted in the editing room or gradually being removed from the script over the course of the shoot. Rocketman is in theaters May 31st. Which Cast Member Of How To Get Away With Murder Has The Highest Salary Besides Viola Davis? We cant wait for his next adventure. The night before, John and Egerton celebrated the Rocketman premiere by taking literal center stage at an elaborate after-party on the beach. It's re-imagined." So far, Egerton has starred in the Kingsman movies, Robin Hood, and Rocketman, which saw him take home some of the biggest awards in entertainment, including a Golden Globe. Rocketman is currently playing in theaters throughout the United Kingdom and around the world. Taron Egerton plays Elton John in Rocketman, a biopic about the Rockstar. I didnt really know the song Hercules before the movie. Copyright 2023 Penske Business Media, LLC. Based on a true fantasy, the story of Sir Elton John is being . He spent a portion of his teenage in the Wirral Peninsula. The actor admitted that playing John was an intimidating experience. Egerton revealed in an interview with Entertainment Weekly that he did not play the piano in the film, but he did receive piano lessons in preparation for the role. The Welsh actor will be in charge of playing the legendary singer in this film. Tarons vocals were given a unique spin. The role of Eggsy in the Kingsman franchise was a huge boost to his blossoming career. Yes, of course. "I can't tell you how weird it is to become so close to someone that you portray," Egerton says. 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. He was profoundly moved, Egerton says. The first films success catapulted Egerton to popularity and landed him a three-film deal with 20th Century Fox. To Vaughn, the movie was a no-brainer. When he performed as a gorilla in Sing, he first met the singer. 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Elton Johns early influences paved the way for his incredible career. Taron Egerton 's magnificent turn as Elton John in Rocketman has rightfully gained the actor a host of awards and nominations, but his transformation into the singer was so on point that even . E-mail [emailprotected] Follow him at http://twitter.com/nepalesruben. Theres this phrase that Im going to paraphrase: Bored people are boring and interesting people are really fucking interested, he says. And theres the costumes. Im going to lie down for a really long time (laughs) and enjoy my summer. 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. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Peter Williams is a graduate of B.A Arts and Culture from the University of Technology Sydney. Its something hes never heard before. ", Because Rocketman is a film about a gay '70s rock icon, comparisons to Bohemian Rhapsody were inevitable, even before both had been released. Our site has more than 2 million unique monthly visitors and 1 million subscribers. 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. Egerton is in the same Oscars conversation as the likes of Joaquin Phoenix, Adam Driver, Leonardo DiCaprio, Antonio Banderas, Christian Bale, and Eddie Murphy, hoping to score his first nomination. 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. After this weeks Golden Globe and SAG nods, the Best Actor contender talks becoming Elton John, the shadow of Bohemian Rhapsody, and why the gay sex scenes were so important. The film begins with Elton John bursting through the door of a recovery meeting in a flaming-red bodysuit with flared bell bottoms, a headpiece with devil horns, heart-shaped sunglasses, and a pair of massive wings looming behind him, a preview of the runway of campy, glam-rock couture to come in the filmall perfect homages to the many looks sported by John over the years. Both Egerton and Elton share a lot in common, including their love of cars, and we believe that their friendship is a testament to the power of connection. Powered by InsiderPeeps. But to be honest, it just never happened. Taron Egerton is set to make a serious six-figure salary for Sing 2. He received recognition for his roles in Smoke and the 2014 action comedy picture Kingsman: The Secret Service. The Secret Service. 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. We felt that was an important story beat in Eltons life because its about finding love. His essence is as if a kaleidoscope exploded into a person: trippy, messy, hypnotizing, bright, garish, and altogether unique and fabulous. If youre a pianist, the easiest Elton John song to play is 4- Rocket Man. 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. It was absolutely fine. Tetris. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Even though Taron was born in England and has just one Welsh grandfather, Egerton identifies himself as Welsh. It would be a pale imitation, bad drag, or a valiant effort at best. Im not going to stop calling my friends cuties and lovely because they are., Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Snapchat. The glitter. It was over 12 years ago that Elton John began developing " Rocketman ," a film about his life, and he had strict requirements: It needed to be R-rated, so as to not soften the music superstar's. 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. He is a Welsh actor and singer. 2016's Sing was an animated release from Illumination that was looking to leave its mark on audiences. Taron Egerton faces down the KGB in trailer for Cold War thriller about the true story of. In the film Rocketman, Egerton gives a moving and intimate performance as a iconic artist, and his talent is breathtaking. This was an enormous source of anxiety to me I believed that it would work, but I wasn't certain of it. Sing 2 was a success at the box office, and it's nice to see a talent like Egerton securing the bag. Rocketman begins with him singing underwater at the bottom of a pool, where he would remain with a dive team for up to 20 minutes between takes of him trying to sing without water shooting up his nose. Producers, and John himself, insisted upon an actor who could belt the hit-packed Giles Martin-produced soundtrack themselves. He has a real duality to him. Here come my twenties! But at the end of your twenties, you sort of go, Oh fuck. Egertons dedication to the role is evident in his performance, and the film is definitely worth watching for his impressive portrayal of Elton John. Do You Know Sandra Mason Net Worth, Biography, Career? 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" begins with him singing underwater at the bottom of a pool, where he would. When fans ask why he sings so well on piano, they are interested in knowing if he really knows how to play it. But he's quick to reject the idea that he might put out an album of his own. Excerpts from our interview with Taron in London: What is it about playing Elton John that surprised you? It didnt require a cynical bent to expect it to happen again with Rocketman. We love the songs. Taron Egerton re-recorded all of the songs for the Rocketman. In areas where the actor was not performing, he had to learn to make it seem like he was, which needed additional instruction. 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. 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. A person shouldnt be able to play Elton John. Related: Harrison Ford Made A Shockingly Low Salary Of $1,000 Per Week For This Film. Fucking hell, if we were doing the same thing, that would have been a miserable film to come after, because it was such a behemoth.. It has just become a very normal thing now, being a part of Elton's life, and David and the boys, their sons.". 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. That means going back to focus on the piano, though he's considering a stab at guitar, too. 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. Taron Egerton was brought back for the sequel, and based on his salary, he definitely increased his impressive net worth. If any of this was considered a gamble, it seems to be paying off. So I'm very proud of what it is and what it's become, the journey it's been on, because I believe that Rocketman has its integrity intact.". And youll discover a gem that you havent heard before. He relocated to Aberystwyth at 12 and attended Ysgol Penglais School before enrolling in the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, where he graduated in 2012 with a BA (Hons) Acting. (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.). He and Elton John are steadily sanding down the separation between a 72-year-old rock star and the almost 30-year-old man who has been his stand-in on screen, on an audiobook recording, and in countless interviews about John's legacy. Taron Egerton: Motion Picture Sound Editors, USA 2020 Winner Golden Reel Award: Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing - Musical for Feature Film Andy Patterson (music editor) 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. Theres a world in which Elton maybe shouldnt have taken him too seriously (laughs). The ability of Egerton to capture the essence of the late Sir Elton John was a tribute to his dedication to the role, according to Roberts. Over the years, we have been providing quality content, commentaries, opinions and insights on arts and music. The MCUs tiniest heroes are kicking off its biggest phase yet, setting up the next several years of storytelling. Despite not playing the piano or singing like Elton John himself, Taron Egerton did an amazing job portraying the iconic musician in Rocketman. The Kingsman Franchise Boosted His Net Worth To $6 Million It's always fascinating to watch a young actor break into the movie industry by landing a role in a surprise hit film, and this is precisely the route that Taron Egerton took to mainstream stardom. ", There were physical transformations a painted gap between his front teeth, his hairline shaved down to mimic John's early baldness. Taron Egertons portrayal of Elton John in Rocketman was simply stunning. It got solid reviews from fans and critics, giving it excellent word-of-mouth to boost ticket sales. Egerton is a resident of West London. But it's not going to be something that happens anytime soon. I think he wanted us to do something impressionistic rather than photographic, Egerton says. We wanted the LGBTQ community to feel a sense of ownership over the film and be championed by it, Egerton says, explaining that he completely understood the scrutiny those aspects of the film were under and the fears the final cut would need to address.