The forthcoming Elton John movie Rocketman, starring Eddie The Eagle actor Taron Egerton, has been given a release date.
The film was announced back in 2011 and scripted by Billy Elliot author Lee Hall. It was billed as a “larger than life movie musical spectacle that tells the story of a child prodigy turned music legend”.
According to Paramount Pictures, it will be released in cinemas on May 17, 2019
Tom Hardy originally took up the lead role for the long awaited movie in 2013 but he eventually pulled out after he struggled with the singing in the film.
“I’m not a singer. I have no idea really. I’m really trying because of Rocketman but it’s hard to open my mouth in that way,” he said at the time.
Last month, Egerton was confirmed as the lead role in the movie. He previously starred in both Kingsman movies.
Dexter Fletcher, who worked on the Eddie The Eagle biopic with Egerton, will direct the movie.
Shooting on the project is due to begin in August and Egerton will be singing some of John’s most famous compositions himself.
Egerton added: ”We are making a movie called Rocketman about Elton John’s formative years. Everyone thinks it’s a biopic. It isn’t. It’s a fantasy musical so it’s actually his songs used to express important beats in his life at emotional moments. He’s not the only character that sings. It’s going to be fun.”
He continued: “I’m going to do it all. I’m going to do it on set as well. We’re going to use a variety of techniques but I will always be singing on set. No miming. I’m just not interested in doing it that way.”