Tom Hardy will play Elton John in the biopic Rocketman

It was rumored earlier this year that Tom Hardy was a contender to play Elton John in the biopic ROCKETMAN. Now, it is confirmed that the DARK KNIGHT RISES and MAD MAX: FURY ROAD star will be playing the flamboyant singer.

Elton John had previously said he would like to see Justin Timberlake play him in the film. Timberlake did an impressive job playing Elton John in the music video for “This Train Don’t Stop There Anymore” but does not have the acting chops that Hardy does. Hardy has also proven to be a chameleon when it comes to roles by physically inhabiting varied characters from Bane, the Picard clone in STAR TREK: NEMESIS, and the title role in BRONSON.

Here’s the synopsis for ROCKETMAN:

The film follows John’s journey from 5-year old musical prodigy who by age 11 won a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music, to a young man who rebelled against his strict upbringing, wore outrageous costumes and became a global icon who teamed with songwriter Bernie Taupin to sell more records than just about any musical artist of his era.

Michael Gracey is directing from a screenplay by Lee Hall (BILLY ELLIOT). Gracey is a visual effects supervisor who is also directing the P.T. Barnum biopic THE GREATEST SHOWMAN ON EARTH starring Hugh Jackman. Elton John will produce via his Rocket Films banner. Elton John‘s entire musical catalog will also be available for the film making this a pretty substantial project.

ROCKETMAN does not have a production or release date yet but expect it to be pushed for awards consideration when it does as most biopics seem to these days.