Tom Hardy Will Play Elton John In Upcoming Biopic

While the producers of the upcoming Freddie Mercury biopic are still formulating their dream cast, reports have come through that The Dark Knight Rises actor Tom Hardy is getting ready to don the rose-tinted glasses in an upcoming film chronicling the life of singer Elton John.

Both Variety and The Hollywood Reporter, the two foremost industry rags, are reporting that Hardy will play the lead role in Rocketman, a musical biopic slated to be directed by Melbournian Michael Gracey, with a script penned by Billy Elliot author Lee Hall.

Furthermore, the man himself is said to be fully on-board. The film is being produced by Elton’s company, Rocket Pictures, and will see him re-recording many of his past hits for use in the film. Shooting for what is being described as “a major US release” is scheduled to begin late next year.

Something of a family affair, Hall and Elton previously worked together on Billy Elliot: The Musical. Meanwhile, Peter Schlessel, CEO of Focus Features, who’ve signed-on to distribute the film, has spoken of the faith being put in Hardy to deliver a knock-out performance, saying:

“Tom is quickly becoming known as one of the world’s most versatile actors, and like others at the top of their craft, he has proven his ability to transform himself completely into the character or subject found in the material.

“We are confident that Tom will embody the physicality and spirit of Sir Elton. This, in conjunction with the creative team led by Michael and Rocket Pictures, will provide the foundation for something that will be a unique cinematic event.”

No word yet on where Hardy’s inspiration for the character of Elton John will be sourced from, though we at Music Feeds would like to suggest the famously dynamic Brit draw on his character from the 2008 film Bronson, in which he played notorious UK criminal Charles Bronson.

Readers can see what we mean, below.

(Via The Verge)

Watch: Bronson (2008), ‘Body Paint’

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