Sir Elton John led the star-studded arrivals at the screening of his new musical fantasy biopic, Rocketman, at the Cannes Film Festival held at Palais des Festivals on Thursday.
The musical legend, 72, made sure he wore a rocket-themed suit for the once-in-a-lifetime event as he joined Taron Egerton, who is playing him in the biopic of his life, and Richard Madden, who plays his former lover and long-term manager, John Reid.
Elton’s filmmaker husband, David Furnish, who has been heavily involved in the production, also walked the red carpet with the trio.
Sir Elton John led the star-studded arrivals at the screening of his new musical fantasy biopic, Rocketman, at the Cannes Film Festival held at Palais des Festivals on Thursday.
The Candle In The Wind hitmaker made sure he paid homage to Rocketman as he wore a themed black suit with a red sequinned rocket on the lapel and the words ‘Rocket Man’ spelled out on his back in silver sequins.
Finishing his look, he wore a crisp white shirt, with two diamond pendants on the neckline, and a pair of his signature sunglasses which were orange hearts with a black diamond outline.
Wearing an equally flamboyant outfit was Taron who opted for a grey velvet tuxedo with black trousers, a crisp white shirt and a black bow tie.
Clearly taking inspiration from his character and Elton himself, the English-born Welsh actor, 29, added a pair of orange sunglasses to his look.
The musical legend, 72, made sure he wore a rocket-themed suit for the once-in-a-lifetime event as he joined Taron Egerton, who is playing him in the biopic of his life, and Richard Madden, who plays his former lover and long-term manager, John Reid.
Richard wore an equally dapper outfit as he commanded attention on the red carpet in a white tuxedo with black trousers, a white shirt and a black bow tie.
While Elton’s husband, David, 56, opted for a classic black tuxedo which he accessorised with an oversized silver diamond brooch on the right lapel.
Earlier in the day, Elton, 72, and Taron, 29, larked around while dressed in flamboyant suits and glasses at the Rocketman photocall, alongside The Bodyguard star, Richard Madden, 32.
The movie is a musical about the fantastical human story of Elton John’s breakthrough years and is produced by both Elton and his husband David Furnish, 56.
Gucci Gang: Earlier in the day, Elton, 72, and Taron, 29, larked around while dressed in flamboyant suits and glasses at the Rocketman photocall, alongside The Bodyguard star, Richard Madden, 32
All stars: (L-R) Director Dexter Fletcher, Sir Elton, Taron, Richard Madden and Bryce Dallas Howard 38, were all in attendance
Elton wore a sea blue Gucci suit which had the word ‘Rocketman’ embroidered on the pocket. He teamed it with Gucci trainers and of course, a pair of glasses in the exact same hue.
He threw his arms around Taron, who wore an equally stunning suit, which had flecks of the same shade of blue within the pattern. He wore Spitfire glasses by Lunetterie Générale, which retail for £470.
Richard plays Elton’s manager John Reid in the movie. They first met at a Motown Christmas party, moved in with one another and became lovers.
His love: Elton and his husband David Furnish (left) have co-produced the movie together
Loving life: David’s Gucci suit had the playful words: ‘If they did but know’ emblazoned across the back
All in the details: Elton had Rocketman embroidered on his Gucci jacket lapel
Their romance ended after five years, but John remained Elton’s manager until 1998.
Richard kept things simple in a grey suit as he posed with Bryce Dallas Howard, who wore a purple midi dress and yellow sunglasses.
Bryce plays Elton’s beloved late mother, Sheila Farebrother and she told Collider last year:
‘First and foremost, the fact that Elton is involved and his husband, David Furnish, is everything.
‘I loved getting to learn about him, and to immerse myself in his world and his music. It’s a classic musical. It’s so, so fun and transportative and wild. I’m just thrilled to be a part of it. It’s really exciting.’
Shining star: The movie is a musical about the fantastical human story of Elton John’s breakthrough years (Taron as Elton from a film still)
Spot the difference: The actor looks remarkably similar to the music icon (right in 1976) in the upcoming movie
David and Elton have been a power couple for more than 25 years. They entered into a civil partnership in 2005 and after the legalisation of gay marriage in 2014, the pair retroactively converted their civil partnership to a marriage.
They are parents to sons Zachary, eight, and Elijah, six and Elton previously told The Sun: ‘It’s fantastic being a dad. Ten years ago if you’d have told me that, I’d have said you’re crazy.
‘That’s it, [though]. I mean we’re too old to have anymore. If we were 20 years, 15 years younger, we’d have probably had another one at least. But with the boys we’ve got enough on our hands.’
Meanwhile, there was a surprise appearance from Bernie Taupin, 68, at the photocall, the Lincoln-born writer behind some of Elton’s biggest hits, such as Your Song, Rocketman, Candle In The Wind and Levon.
Even though Bernie and Elton, real name Reginald Kenneth Dwight were close in age at the time of their first meeting, 17-year-old Taupin was in awe of John.
Specs appeal: Bryce seemed rather taken with her yellow sunglasses as she put on a giddy display, (left) and (right) as Elton’s mother Sheila in the film
Snap happy: Bryce and Taron cooed over one another while surrounded by photographers
Special: Elton and his beloved mother Sheila, who is played by Dallas Howard, when he received his Knighthood in 1998 (left) – she passed away in December 2017 – and the musician with his former lover and manager John Reid, played by Madden pictured together in 1991 (right)
Iconic: Bernie Taupin (centre) the songwriter behind Elton’s biggest hits, made a surprise appearance
He once told the Daily Mail: ‘I was the quintessential country bumpkin and he was sophisticated. He lived in London and played in clubs! So, he looked out for me. He was like a big brother.’
After the photocall, Elton shared a picture of himself and Bernie from the day and wrote: ‘The brother I never had… Love you Bernie,’ alongside two love heart emojis.
It’s been rumoured that Elton could perform at the movie’s premiere’s afterparty, where he performed shot the video to I’m Still Standing back in 1983.
According to Deadline, a stage is being built on the beach, leading to speculation that Taron and Elton could perform a duet together. Paramount provided no comment to the site.
Getting along nicely: Richard and Taron appeared to be firm friends after building a bond on set
Dapper gents: Taron pointed at the camera, while The Bodyguard star Richard put on a smouldering display behind him
Love of his life: Elton and David have been a power couple for more than 25 years – they entered into a civil partnership in 2005 and after the legalisation of gay marriage in 2014, the pair retroactively converted their civil partnership to a marriage
Elton has previously spoken about how thrilled he is that Taron has decided to take on the role as him.
Speaking on Elton John’s Rocket Hour on Apple Music’s Beats 1 radio, Elton gushed over Taron’s ‘brilliant’ execution of his much loved tracks.
He said: ‘For those of you who don’t know, in Rocketman I don’t sing anything. Taron has recorded, re-recorded, all the songs that are in the movie, and sings them quite brilliantly.’
Elton then asked the Kingsman: The Secret Service star: ‘Did you find it difficult to sing them?’
To which Taron replied: ‘I think I would have found it harder if it wasn’t for the fact that you were so encouraging.
‘I think that was a big part of what was an enabler and facilitated me to feel kind of relaxed enough to do them in the way that we have, and, of course, Giles Martin, who produced them, who is just the most incredible man, who I didn’t know before this process. I know you did. I owe a lot of it to him, I think.’
Back! A stage has been erected on the beach, leading to rumours that Elton will perform there after the show’s premiere on Thursday night – he famously filmed his 1983 music video for I’m Still Standing at the same spot (pictured)
Va va voom: Elton famously drove along the beach front in the popular track and so it’s no doubt a special place for him
Exciting: Rocketman hits UK cinemas on May 22 2019
The I’m Still Standing singer also brought up the recent Freddie Mercury biopic in which Rami Malek portrayed the music legend.
Stating the difference between the two leading men, he said: ‘It’s not Bohemian Rhapsody where the brilliant Rami Malek, who played Freddie, lip synced.
‘You’re actually doing the whole thing. I can’t congratulate you enough.’
While Taron further highlighted the contrast between the films, adding: ‘Our film is different from Bohemian Rhapsody in the sense that we sing some of yours and Bernie’s songs, not only as performance pieces but as legitimate pieces of musical theatre.
‘I know you were always very keen on this idea of a fantasy. That’s what our movie is. It’s a musical fantasy.’
Meanwhile, Elton pin-pointed the moment he realised that Taron was the right person to portray him.
The star recalled how he knew the Robin Hood star could sing when he heard Taron’s rendition of I’m Still Standing in the 2016 animated film Sing, in which he played gorilla Johnny.
Arms out: Elton appeared delighted with the turn-out as he greeted his fans
Getting along nicely: (L-R) Dexter, Bryce, Richard and Taron all appeared to be getting along well
Speaking on Elton John’s Rocket Hour on Apple Music’s Beats 1 radio, Elton gushed over Taron’s ‘brilliant’ execution of his much loved tracks
Laugh a minute: It was clear that the cast all get along well as they giggled throughout the photocall
Hey Elton, guess what I heard? Richard whispered in Elton’s ear as Taron listened on
It’s ELTON! Taron still appeared to be rather star-struck by Elton, (left) before posing with Richard and Bryce
He said: ‘I didn’t get involved in any of it. I just let you go ahead … I knew you could sing because I heard ‘I’m Still Standing,’ which you did in the film ‘Sing’.
‘You’ve redone that in this film, so I think you should do an album of ten different versions of I’m Still Standing.’
For the film, Swarovski collaborated with BAFTA-nominated costume designer Julian Day, incorporating more than one million Swarovski crystals into his designs to illuminate Elton’s extravagant style.
Shine bright: The shimmering Dodgers Costume worn in the film by Egerton was created using 140,000 Swarovski crystals to be even more dazzling than the original and was created by Julian Day
A flamboyant display: Rocketman’s official trailer gave fans a glimpse at the true fantasy’s stunning costumes, sprawling musical numbers and Taron’s singing – this devil costume was adorned with over 60k hand-embellished crystals
The famous Dodgers costume – a fully-crystallized baseball kit – is a stunning reimagining of the iconic costume worn by Elton to perform at his legendary Dodger Stadium concerts in Los Angeles in 1975.
The shimmering design worn in the film by Egerton was created using 140,000 Swarovski crystals to be even more dazzling than the original.
The dramatic Devil costume was designed for a moment when Elton feels unloved, so Day surrounded him with love in the form of a fiery-red jumpsuit with heart-shaped wings.
The costume blazes with bespoke crystal flames, a headdress and sunglasses all glowing with over 60,000 hand-embellished Swarovski crystals.
Julian Day commented: ‘I’ve used Swarovski crystals on numerous films and they are very much part of the idea of showmanship.
‘What they do is elevate and exaggerate an outfit – let’s say my designs are 110%, Swarovski crystals make them 150%.
‘Wherever we could find a place for a crystal in this film, we put it there – Swarovski and Rocketman is a perfect partnership.’
Elton recently touched upon the fact that he feels like it is time is right to stop performing after almost 50 years on and off the road, with his first tour beginning in 1970 to promote his second album, Elton John.
He told The Sun: ‘I’ve been travelling in the back of a van since I was 15, it’s the life of a gypsy. But I’ve got other things to do. I just don’t want to be performing all my life.’
Rocketman hits UK cinemas on May 22 2019.
The brains behind the magic: (L-R) British actor Kit Connor, Songwriter Bernie Taupin, British film producer Adam Bohling, Furnish, Dexter, Elton,Taron , Richard and Bryce Dallas Howard
Shady: The cast and crew posed for a photo and all paid tribute to Elton by wearing sunglasses
This is their moment: Elton and David were happy to pose for lots of photos on the day
Suited and booted: Taron larked around with Dexter and Bryce, while Richard gazed out into the distance
More to come: No doubt the cast and crew are looking forward to the premiere which will be taking place later that evening