[Movies] Director Found For Elton John Biopic Rocketman Posted by Joseph Lee on 03.19.2013
Now they need to find a child to play him...
Deadline reports that Rocket Pictures has hired commercial director Michael Gracey for Rocketman the Elton John biopic. The film is based on a script by Lee Hall (Billy Elliot) and will focus John's entire career starting at the age of 5, to when he won a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music at age 11, to the height of his career teaming with songwriter Bernie Taupin to seel more records than any artist of his era.
Rocket CEO Steve Hamilton Shaw said: "Michael has an innovative, imaginative and compelling vision for the film. We want to create an experience that surprises and moves audiences and knew immediately that he was the perfect director to take them on this journey."
Gracey will also direct The Greatest Showman on Earth (starring Hugh Jackman) for Fox and The Muppet Man for Disney and the Jim Henson Company.
Rocketman will have choreographed sequences based on John's biggest hits.
Gracey said: "Everyone knows and loves Elton John's music, but the true story of his life is so incredible that it can only be described as a fantasy. His journey from impossible dreamer to stardom and uncontrollable excess is something only a musical film can capture, and I'm so excited to be the one to tell his story."
Casting director Jessica Ronane (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Billy Elliot the Musical, Matilda is currently looking for a child to play John.
Rocket Pictures is a film and TV company created by John to focus on family and music-themed projects for multiple platforms. This included Gnomeo & Juliet for Disney, with original songs by John. It earned $200 million worldwide. A sequel is on the way called Sherlock Gnomes. It is directed by John Stevenson (Kung Fu Panda). The company are also working on Will Gallows And The Snake Bellied Troll, written and to be directed by Kelly Asbury (Shrek 2).
