Elton John And Taron Egerton Both Cried After The “Rocketman” Debut At The Cannes Film Festival

May 21, 2019

It was all tears for the premiere of the new Elton John movie “Rocketman” at Cannes. Taron Egerton, the young actor who plays Elton in the film, as well as Elton John himself were reportedly crying when the credits rolled and they had a four-minute standing ovation, according to Vanity Fair.

It was Elton John’s very first viewing of the biographical film. While his life unfolded before his eyes he would grab his lyricist Bernie Taupin’s knee as if to say “Remember that?” Taron Egerton was the one who reported witnessing that moment to press because he was angled towards the two on purpose during the screening. He wanted to catch all of their reactions. Actress Bryce Dallas Howard, who plays Elton’s mother Shiela, “was able to hear Elton crying, just a few seats away.”

The debut of the special film had come full circle the night before as Elton and Taron performed “Rocketman” on Cannes’ beach. It was not a coincidence because Elton had filmed the video for “I’m Still Standing” in 1983 on the very same sand. Spoiler alert—Taron’s recreation of that iconic video closes out the film.

At “Rocketman”s press conference, Taron went into what makes the movie such a unique one.

“Our primary concern and mandate was to tell a story that didn’t . . . deify Elton or make him flawless or perfect. We wanted to tell a human story. Elton is an extraordinary human but he’s still a human. That’s why you see the [lows] as well as the peaks. It was a risk on many levels and we’ve been very fortunate to have a brave studio work with us to achieve that. Elton—not a lot makes him blush. He’s very at peace with us telling the story in that way.”

Elton also spoke with Good Morning America with Taron by his side to answer the question of why he wanted to portray his life in such a real way. He explains that he hopes others will ask for help if stuck in a bad situation created by themselves.

“The story is about redemption, asking for help, realizing that your behavior is so asinine, so stupid, and so horrible, that you have become ashamed of yourself...The message is, if you’re in a bad way, ask for help...It really is so difficult to do that sometimes, but when I did that, a lot of help came my way, and my life since I became sober has been the most amazing journey.”

For Taron, it was a lifelong dream come true to play one of his heroes. He told Good Morning America about all of the ways that “the cosmos has been putting me and Elton together for some time.” Taron had sung “Your Song” to get into drama school at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, and later on, “I’m Still Standing” in his movie “Sing”. Elton was also in Taron’s film “Kingsmen 2”, and he was in awe that he was now then portraying him in this movie about his life.

And what did Elton think of Taron after seeing the movie? He wrote to the Hollywood Reporter that "I didn't think it was Taron. I thought it was me. That's the highest compliment I can tell you.”

What do you think? Is Taron the perfect Elton John or what? Let us know in the comments if you agree or who you think would be a better fit to play the glitzy, glamorous, talented singer.