Top 10 Things We Want See in Rocketman
#10: The Royal Academy of Music Years
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It was at the very young age of 11 that Elton John, then Reginald Dwight, was awarded a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music in London. A child prodigy, he was able to play songs back by ear after only hearing them once. He continued to study at the Academy for five years - although sometimes skipped class to ride the Tube. The film will chronicle his time at the Academy, and we’re eager to see the classical training that laid down the foundation for his unique fusion of musical styles.
#9: The Soundtrack
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If the fact that the film will feature Elton John’s classic hits wasn’t exciting enough for you, there’s the added prestige of Giles Martin’s involvement when it comes to the score. A musical veteran, Martin has worked on the songs of some of the world’s biggest bands, including remastering and remixing every Beatles re-release since 2009. He also worked on the music for the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, back in 2002, as well as on Taron Egerton’s best-known franchise, “Kingsman.” With Martin attached, we know Elton John’s music is in good hands.
#8: Dexter Fletcher’s Vision
Though Bryan Singer ultimately got the directing credit, Fletcher was the man chosen to take over from him after he left production of “Bohemian Rhapsody.” With this in mind, we can’t wait to see what he has in store for us when given the helm on another music biopic – this time one he’s been attached to since the very beginning. As well as that credit, he’s also notable for working alongside “Rocketman’s” leading man, Taron Egerton, in 2016’s “Eddie the Eagle” - meaning that he already knows how to make a great biopic, AND the best way to work with his star.
#7: Watford's Elton John Era
One thing we haven’t seen yet in the trailers is Elton John’s stint as the owner of Watford F.C.. From 1976 to 1987, he was owner and chairman, and these years directly crossover with those that “Rocketman” is bringing to the screen. Whether we’ll get a look at his time as supporter-turned-owner of his local team, funding them as they made it into the First Division and reached the FA Cup final in the early 80s, is anyone’s guess. But it might be nice to include, alongside all the other action on stage and behind-the-scenes.
#6: Richard Madden
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After his starring role in 2018’s “The Bodyguard”, Richard Madden’s next big outing will be as Elton John’s first manager and lover/boyfriend John Reid. The only snippets we’ve seen of him so far have been him warning Elton about what might happen if his “sleeping arrangements” get out, showing us that the film will also explore this important early relationship. The man best known as Robb Stark is sure to be a big draw for people looking for top-of-the-range acting, as well of course as “Game of Thrones” fans.
#5: Elton’s Mother & Grandmother
The unsung heroes of his early life, the women who raised Elton John haven’t always received the credit they deserved when it came to shaping his musical interests. It was his grandmother Ivy’s piano he first started playing on as a child, and both of them provided him with the encouragement and support he needed to follow his dreams. His mother even introduced him to rock and roll music through Elvis Presley records, and we’re keen to see “Rocketman” pay homage to their early influence on him.
#4: The OTT Aesthetics
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If there’s one thing Elton John is known for besides fantastic music, it’s his lavish performances and zany costumes. From what little we’ve glimpsed in the trailer, “Rocketman” isn’t going to skimp on any of the glam rock aesthetics of his career. Even when he’s not on stage, Taron’s Elton is always the best dressed bloke in the room, and we’ve been treated to a few images of some of his most iconic outfits – most prominently the one modelled off Elizabeth I. We’ll have to wait for the movie to come out to see what else is in store.
#3: Elton’s Sexuality
One of the largest criticisms levied at 2018’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” was its apparent disregard for Freddie Mercury’s sexuality. In the wake of this, people began fearing the same treatment was going to reach “Rocketman”, but luckily this doesn’t seem like the case. We already saw snippets of Richard Madden’s role as John Reid, but “Rocketman” promises to do much more than that, not shying away from Elton’s closeted years, the breakdown of his marriage, and his struggle to come out. An honest portrayal of Elton will mean a lot to the LGBTQ+ community.
#2: Honest Addiction
As with his sexuality, when it comes to Elton John’s problems with substance abuse, “Rocketman” is going to show us all the gory details. Thanks to Elton’s own role in producing the movie, he’s told the filmmakers to show absolutely everything, “warts and all.” Parts in the trailer where we see him jump into a swimming pool could be a portrayal of a suicide attempt where he took 60 Valium tablets and jumped into the water, as could a scene with him in an ambulance with an oxygen mask. Showing the nasty parts of addiction as well as overcoming it are equally important parts of his story.
#1: Taron Egerton’s Performance
It’s been said that Taron Egerton was born to play Elton John, and after seeing his transformation in the early trailers, it’s hard to disagree. But there’s one thing dividing fans – Egerton is doing his own singing, rather than lip-synching to the existing recordings of John himself. This is because Elton expressly told Taron not to copy his singing voice, as well as the film’s status as a “fantasy musical.” Taron has said Elton isn’t the only character who will sing, and the film’s genre lies somewhere between a biopic and a jukebox musical.
