Emotional 'Rocketman' cast formed close bond with Elton John

[rooster59]

Emotional 'Rocketman' cast formed close bond with Elton John

By Sarah White and Johnny Cotton

 

72nd Cannes Film Festival - Screening of the film "Rocketman" out of competition - Red Carpet Arrivals - Cannes, France, May 16, 2019. Elton John, director Dexter Fletcher, Bryce Dallas Howard, David Furnish, Bernie Taupin and Taron Egerton pose. REUTERS/Jean-Paul Pelissier

 

CANNES, France (Reuters) - Actor Taron Egerton said on Friday he'd developed a close friendship with Elton John while preparing for the biopic "Rocketman", adding to the emotion after a glittering premiere where few of its stellar attendees were left dried-eyed.

 

The musical spectacular, which features one Elton John hit after another as it tracks the highs and lows of his journey to superstardom, made its debut at the Cannes Film Festival on Thursday, with the singer in tow on the red carpet.

 

Egerton said he was already an avowed fan of the singer - even auditioning to get into drama school by singing "Your Song" - and had gotten to know John well during filming, making it "borderline overwhelming" to step into his shoes on-screen.

 

"I'm very proud to call him a friend. He is the kindest, most interesting, warm man. That has made it feel very important to me," Egerton told a news conference on the French Riviera, choking up at moments.

 

The British actor, also known for his role in spy comedy "Kingsman", said he had delved into Elton John's repertoire to prepare.

 

"You immerse yourself in his music. The invaluable thing was .. I was able to spend a lot of time with him and talk about anything," he added.

 

The movie, which is not competing for awards at the cinema showcase, veers into traditional Hollywood musical territory. It mixes in elements of fantasy, as the hitmaker floats above the stage during a frenetic concert or descends into a drugged-fuelled haze surrounded by a writhing dance troupe.

 

"The response has been so wonderful ... you made a young man from Aberystwyth incredibly happy and a 72 year-old rockstar even more happy," Egerton said, fresh from performing "Rocketman" the night before alongside Elton John at a glitzy afterparty.

 

DARK CORNERS

 

Directed by Dexter Fletcher - who contributed to making Freddie Mercury biopic "Bohemian Rhapsody" - the movie has so far drawn mixed reviews, with some critics questioning its sugary edges while praising the energy of the musical numbers.

 

"Fletcher has fashioned an ebullient monument to pop superstar Elton John that's cliched in the telling, but gets by on the strength of his early catalog," Variety critic Peter Debruge wrote.

 

The film was about John's "lust for life", Fletcher told the news conference, adding that it was not meant to show the singer as perfect.

 

"There was no dark corner where he didn't want us to shine a light," Fletcher said.

 

"Rocketman" also stars Jamie Bell as lyricist Bernie Taupin, and Richard Madden as the singer's former lover and manager John Reid.

 

Madden, who has been talked up as a contender to play James Bond when Daniel Craig takes a step back from the franchise, brushed off the rumours on Friday - fuelled by his dapper red carpet appearance the night before in a white tuxedo.

 

"It's very flattering to be involved in that conversation. It's all just talk," Madden said. "I'm sure next week it will be someone else."

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-05-19
Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking Thailand news and visa info

 

 

[ThaiBunny]

Did they use baby oil too?

[jingjai9]

Wait a minute. I thought Rocketman was the guy in North Korea.

[moonlighter19]

I just hope it's a good movie because I had a lot of fun with Bohemian Rhapsody. 

[Orton Rd]

Can't stand the bloke, should have died or retired in the 90's as he's done nothing since. I'll give it a miss.

[mtls2005]

I was shocked by how good a singer Taron Egerton is...