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Elton John Developing a 'Rocketman' Biopic with Writer of 'Billy Elliot'

by Ethan Anderton
September 22, 2011
Source: Deadline

Screenwriter and playright Lee Hall and iconic musician Elton John previously collaborated on the Broadway adaptation of the 2000 film Billy Elliot, but now the duo will take their talents to the big screen for a Rocketman, a project described as a biographical musical fantasy about the constantly bespectacled singer and songwriter. The film is said to weave together the life and music of John's career starting with his life as a child prodigy on the piano, moving through his rebellious teenage years and onto his iconic years as quite an outrageously dressed showman and one hell of a musician, singer and songwriter. More below.

It sounds like the film will be a biopic with the same kind of fantastical musical numbers from Across the Universe, and knowing Elton John's wacky style, it should be quite an experience. Deadline says he package for the new project includes a whole slew of John's biggest songs coupled with some ambitious choreographed sequences that will help tell the story of John's successes and struggles. Rocket Pictures executive Steve Hamilton Shaw says, "Rocketman will be a radically different kind of biopic It will be as unique as Elton’s life, told in a non-linear and hyper-visual manner that will transport people through the many intense experiences, some wonderful, some not, that helped define Elton as an artist, musician and man.” The question is who has the acting talent to give John his due diligence. Honestly, my vote goes to Ewan McGregor who already impressively belted John's tune Your Song in Moulin Rouge. Thoughts?

Filed under Development, Movie News

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