"A journey from impossible dreamer to stardom and uncontrollable excess.”



Rolling Stone’s article:

The Dark Knight Rises’ star lands coveted role in ‘Rocketman’

The Elton John biopic Rocketman has cast its Captain Fantastic: British actor Tom Hardy, who previously played Bane in The Dark Knight Rises.

The film will be directed by Michael Gracey, according to Deadline, and its sсript was written by Lee Hall (Billy Elliot,War Horse). Focus Features CEO Peter Schlessel said, “We are confident that Tom will embody the physicality and spirit of Sir Elton.”

However, Inception star Hardy was not John’s first choice for the man who would portray him. His first pick, he claimed in 2012, was Justin Timberlake. “He played me before in a David LaChappelle video of ['This Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore'] and was superb,” John said at the time. The singer has not yet commented on Hardy’s casting.

"Everyone knows and loves Elton John’s music, but the true story of his life is so incredible that it can only be described as a fantasy," director Gracey said about the film earlier this year. “His journey from impossible dreamer to stardom and uncontrollable excess is something only a musical film can capture, and I’m so excited to be the one to tell his story.”

The press release announcing Hardy’s casting also mentioned that John would be rerecording many of his hits to pace them with the drama of the film. Shooting is scheduled to commence in fall 2014. /rollingstone.com

Photos by India Trusselle (behind-the-scenes at a Bruno Staub shoot for Arena, 2009)