The musical spectacular, which features one Elton John hit after
another as it tracks the highs and lows of his journey to
superstardom, made its debut at the Cannes Film Festival on
Thursday, with the singer in tow on the red carpet.
Egerton said he was already an avowed fan of the singer - even
auditioning to get into drama school by singing "Your Song" -
and had gotten to know John well during filming, making it
"borderline overwhelming" to step into his shoes on-screen.
"I'm very proud to call him a friend. He is the kindest, most
interesting, warm man. That has made it feel very important to
me," Egerton told a news conference on the French Riviera,
choking up at moments.
The British actor, also known for his role in spy comedy "Kingsman",
said he had delved into Elton John's repertoire to prepare.
"You immerse yourself in his music. The invaluable thing was ..
I was able to spend a lot of time with him and talk about
anything," he added.
The movie, which is not competing for awards at the cinema
showcase, veers into traditional Hollywood musical territory. It
mixes in elements of fantasy, as the hitmaker floats above the
stage during a frenetic concert or descends into a
drugged-fueled haze surrounded by a writhing dance troupe.
"The response has been so wonderful ... you made a young man
from Aberystwyth incredibly happy and a 72 year-old rockstar
even more happy," Egerton said, fresh from performing "Rocketman"
the night before alongside Elton John at a glitzy afterparty.
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DARK CORNERS
Directed by Dexter Fletcher - who contributed to making Freddie
Mercury biopic "Bohemian Rhapsody" - the movie has so far drawn
mixed reviews, with some critics questioning its sugary edges while
praising the energy of the musical numbers.
"Fletcher has fashioned an ebullient monument to pop superstar Elton
John that's cliched in the telling, but gets by on the strength of
his early catalog," Variety critic Peter Debruge wrote.
The film was about John's "lust for life", Fletcher told the news
conference, adding that it was not meant to show the singer as
perfect.
"There was no dark corner where he didn't want us to shine a light,"
Fletcher said.
"Rocketman" also stars Jamie Bell as lyricist Bernie Taupin, and
Richard Madden as the singer's former lover and manager John Reid.
Madden, who has been talked up as a contender to play James Bond
when Daniel Craig takes a step back from the franchise, brushed off
the rumors on Friday - fueled by his dapper red carpet appearance
the night before in a white tuxedo.
"It's very flattering to be involved in that conversation. It's all
just talk," Madden said. "I'm sure next week it will be someone
else."
(Reporting by Sarah White and Johnny Cotton; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
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