The last leading man to play a rock legend, Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody, ended up cleaning up during awards season winning essentially every major award.
So the pressure is on for Taron Egerton, who not only plays Elton John in the upcoming Rocketman, but also sings his iconic songs. No small task.
Thankfully Taron’s fandom stretches back to his childhood where he was introduced to Elton’s talent the same way as a lot of other Millennials, The Lion King.
He tells The Hollywood Reporter: “The first time I listened to Elton John I was 5, maybe 6 and my mother bought me a VHS copy of The Lion King, and it was ‘The Circle of Life.’”
"I remember he had he a greatest hits album come out when I was 12," Taron also recalled. "And my stepfather and I used to skip to 'I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues,' and sing it together in the car.”
Though he’s a massive Elton fan, Taron’s idol is another rock god, David Bowie. Though he feels he’s a “bit too thick set” to ever play him.
Rocketman hits theaters May 31st.
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