Taron Egerton has addressed the obvious comparisons between his new Elton John biopic Rocketman and the Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, suggesting Rocketman ‘requires an actor who can sing in the lead role’.
The shade.
Speaking at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival, Taron told press that Bohemian Rhapsody is a ‘unicorn’ and that ‘our movie is a different animal, it’s a musical that requires an actor who can sing in the lead role’.
Taron will sing each song in Rocketman while Bohemian Rhapsody used a mix of Freddie Mercury’s vocals and lead actor Rami Malek’s singing voice.
While tempering box office and awards expectations, the Welsh actor added: ‘Rami Malek’s performance is astonishing in [Bohemian Rhapsody], and he’s one of the most talented actors of our generation.
‘I’m proud that we’re mentioned in the same breath. I’m grateful that people can compare us, it shows that there’s an appetite for these movies.’
He also joked that he couldn’t remember ‘who finished’ Bohemian Rhapsody; Rocketman director Dexter Fletcher stepped in to finish the Oscar-winning film after director Bryan Singer was fired after Malek complained to studio heads.
The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday, and Dexter was seen in a video on social media saying he was ‘blown away’ by the reaction; the film received a four-minute standing ovation.
He continued: ‘Thank you for being an amazing audience, this is a big honour and thrill for us, we are all blown away by your fantastic reception and response, we love you, so thank you!’
Elton and Taron were both seen sobbing as the credits rolled on the film of the singer’s – real name Reginald Kenneth Dwight – life.
They were joined by Elton’s husband David Furnish, Bryce Dallas Howard (who plays Elton’s mother in the film) and Richard Madden (who stars as Elton’s past lover John Reid) at the premiere, and Taron and Elton took to the piano after the movie aired, dueting to the titular hit Rocketman, and hugging each other fondly.
Rocketman is out in the UK on 22 May.
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