Rocketman: All you need to know about the Elton John movie

17 January 2019, 14:03 | Updated: 14 September 2023, 15:27

After the success of Bohemian Rhapsody, 2019 will see a movie all about another pop legend: Sir Elton John.

Rocketman will tell the story of Elton John's life and career, using his music as the main backdrop.

But who will star in the film and when is it released? Here's all you need to know so far:

1. Rocketman release date: When is it coming out?

   Paramount Pictures has confirmed that the film will be released on May 31, 2019.

   The project was given the official greenlight in April 2018.

2. Rocketman trailer: is there a teaser?

   The first trailer was unveiled on October 1, and sees a glimpse of Elton throughout his life.

   Meanwhile, we also get to see lead actor Taron Egerton sing as Elton on the film's title track.

3. Who will play Elton John in Rocketman?

   #NEW Promotional photo of Taron as Elton John in Rocketman (2019) pic.twitter.com/OjX1bBgBTw

   — Taron Egerton (@DailyTaronNews) January 3, 2019

   Kingsman and Eddie the Eagle actor Taron Egerton will portray Sir Elton in the movie.

   Elton said that he was "blown away" by Taron's singing voice. The British actor has re-recorded some of his most famous material.

   According to the movie's producer and Elton's husband David Furnish, Elton was amazed by Taron's take on his songs when he heard three tracks recorded at Abbey Road Studios."

   Elton has told Taron, 'Don't copy me. Don't think you have to sing it exactly the way that I sang it. Don't think you have to perform it the way I performed it'.

   #ROCKETMAN OPENS IN THEATRES MAY 31, 2019. Im excited to see Taron Egerton star as Elton John. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/vGmU3vbHog

   — Tee/ThatsITLA (@ThatsITLA) January 4, 2019

   "I think it's the challenge for the actor to embody the spirit and not get into thinking they have to do an impersonation."

   Taron has already covered an Elton classic in the past, when he sang 'I'm Still Standing' for the 2016 animated movie Sing.

4. Who else will star in Rocketman?

   

   So far, the only other cast member to be announced is who will play Elton John's longtime songwriting partner Bernie Taupin.

   Billy Elliot star Jamie Bell will play a young Bernie, who has a chance meeting with Elton in the late 1960s after they both applied for (and were rejected) a job at a record company.

   Meanwhile, Bodyguard star Richard Madden has signed up to play Sir Elton's first manager and former lover John Reid, while Bryce Dallas Howard will play Elton's mother Sheila Eileen.

5. Rocketman plot: What is it about?

   The film is written by Lee Hall (the man behind Billy Elliot), and will focus on Elton John’s emergence as a prodigy at the Royal Academy of Music, before transforming into a pop superstar, as well as his partnership with songwriter Bernie Taupin.

   Taron Egerton has described the film as "the world's first R-rated musical", so we're expecting plenty of Elton classics to feature.

   In May 2018, Taron said that the film isn't actually a biopic. "We are making a movie called Rocketman about Elton John's formative years," the Welsh actor told Collider. "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."