Tom Hardy — known for playing macho roles in films such as “The Dark Knight Rises,” “Bronson,” and “Warrior” — is ready to wear a giant duck costume and play “Crocodile Rock.”
The Brit actor will star as pop icon Sir Elton John in Focus Features’ biopic “Rocketman.”
HitFix first reported the casting in May, but after a lengthy search for the film’s lead, the news was confirmed today by the studio.
“Rocketman” will follow the eccentric piano-playing pop legend’s meteoric rise to stardom, from his early years to his dominance of ’70s and ’80s radio with hits like “Crocodile Rock,” “Candle in the Wind,” “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting,” “Bennie and the Jets,” and, of course, “Rocketman.” The singer will re-record several of his best-know hits for the film. Hist latest album, “The Diving Board,” was released to wide acclaim earlier this month.
John will exec produce the film, which will be produced by Steve Hamilton Shaw and David Furnish of Rocket Pictures and Lawrence Bender for AI Film. Len Blavatnik will co-executive produce, along with AI Film CEO Aviv Giladi and Focus CEO Peter Schlessel.
“Rocketman” is scheduled to shoot in fall 2014.
“Tom is a stellar talent who will add extraordinary depth and nuance in bringing Elton”s story to life,” said Shaw in a press release. “We are excited to have such a gifted actor on board, and equally excited to be in the hands of Peter Schlessel and the entire Focus Features team.”
“Tom is quickly becoming known as one of the world’s most versatile actors, and like others at the top of their craft, he has proven his ability to transform himself completely into the character or subject found in the material,” added Schlessel. “We are confident that Tom will embody the physicality and spirit of Sir Elton. This, in conjunction with the creative team led by Michael and Rocket Pictures, will provide the foundation for something that will be a unique cinematic event.”
Do you think Tom Hardy is a good choice to play Sir Elton John?