New photos of Taron Egerton as Elton John in biopic ‘Rocketman’

New photos of Taron Egerton as legendary singer Elton John for the upcoming bio “Rocketman” were released today by Paramount Pictures.

The film, scheduled to open May 31, follows John (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight) from his years as a prodigy at the Royal Academy of Music to his his influential and enduring musical partnership with Bernie Taupin, played by British actor Jamie Bell.

ELTON JOHN

John, 71, and who identifies as gay, has sold more than 33 million albums worldwide and has had seven consecutive No. 1 hits in the United States. Among his catalog of smash singles: “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” Bennie and the Jets,” “Philadelphia Freedom,” “Your Song,” “Crocodile Rock,” “I’m Still Standing,” “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.”

“Rocketman” takes its name from John’s hit single of the same name that appeared on his 1972 album “Honky Château.” The song hit No. 6 in the United States.

Taron Egerton Elton John Movie Rocketman

Taron Egerton bares a strking resemblance as Elton John in the upcoming film “Rocketman.” Photo: Paramount Pictures.

In the photos, Egerton, 29, (“Kingsman,” “Robin Hood”) bares a striking resemblance to John, who’s known for his fabulous sunglasses and wild costumes.

John, 71, shared a photo on Instagram of Egerton in costume with the caption, “Hold on to your glasses, this is going to be a wild ride!! Here’s Taron Egerton (portraying me!) on the set of the #Rocketmanmovie.”

Elton John Movie Rocketman

Taron Egerton stars as legendary singer Elton John in the upcoming movie “Rocketman.” Photo: Paramount Pictures.

John, who had a cameo in 2017’s “The Kingsman: The Golden Circle,” also appeared in some scenes with Egerton.

‘ROCKETMAN’ CAST

In “Rocketman,” Richard Madden (BBC’s “The Bodyguard”) portrays John Reid, John’s manager from 1970 to 1998. John was Madden’s first client. They also were lovers for five years. Reid also managed the British rock band Queen from 1975 to 1978.

Bryce Dallas Howard (“The Help,” “Jurassic World”) portrays John’s mother, Sheila Eileen.

Dexter Fletcher is the film’s director. Fletcher also helmed the Freddie Mercury biopic “Bohemian Rhapsody.”

Phillip Zonkel can be reached at 562-294-5996 or [email protected].

About the author

Phillip Zonkel

Award-winning journalist Phillip Zonkel spent 17 years at Long Beach's Press-Telegram, where he was the first reporter in the paper's history to have a beat covering the city's vibrant LGBTQ. He also created and ran the popular and innovative LGBTQ news blog, Out in the 562.

He won two awards and received a nomination for his reporting on the local LGBTQ community, including a two-part investigation that exposed anti-gay bullying of local high school students and the school districts' failure to implement state mandated protections for LGBTQ students.

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