Elton John SLAMS ‘b******t’ row over claims Taron Egerton shouldn’t have played him

Elton John defends Taron Egerton’s starring role in Rocketman and SLAMS ‘b******t’ row over claims he shouldn’t have got the part because he is heterosexual

Sir Elton John has slammed the ‘b******t’ row over heterosexual actor Taron Egerton playing him during his breakthrough years in the new biopic Rocketman.

The musical icon, 72, has defended Taron after critics claimed a gay actor should have taken on the role of Elton to mirror the singer’s own sexuality.

However Elton told The Sun that he thinks the backlash is ‘b******t’, after he hand-picked Taron for the role himself and described his performance as ‘beyond belief’.

Unimpressed: Sir Elton John has slammed the ‘b******t’ row over heterosexual actor Taron Egerton playing him during his breakthrough years in the new biopic Rocketman

During the interview Elton also discussed his emotions after watching the film for the first time and said: ‘The movie floored me. But I’m very high. Taron is beyond belief. It’s like watching me. It’s quite extraordinary, he’s so me-like. He’s a megastar.’

However he also admitted that he won’t be concerned if people don’t like the move he has produced, confessing that he has ended up making a film that he loves.

He added: ‘If people don’t like it, review-wise, or it doesn’t make one dollar, it’s the movie I wanted to make and that’s all that counts. I can look back and say, “You know what, I love it. I can live with it.”‘ 

Pals: The musical icon, 72, has defended Taron after critics claimed a gay actor should have taken on the role of Elton to mirror the singer's own sexuality

Pals: The musical icon, 72, has defended Taron after critics claimed a gay actor should have taken on the role of Elton to mirror the singer’s own sexuality

Elton’s comments come after Taron admitted he understands receiving backlash for playing a gay man, but he insists he took on the role to challenge himself in his acting career. 

The Kingsman actor explained to the Hollywood Reporter: ‘I have spoken to gay people for whom it’s not a problem, and I’ve spoken to gay people for whom it is a problem. I completely understand.

‘But for my part, I’m an actor, and I did not get into acting to just play people like me. You have to draw the line somewhere, and I don’t want to live in a world where straight people play straight people and gay people play gay people.’

Embodying Elton: Taron identifies as heterosexual, and hopes the LGBTQ community will accept his portrayal of Elton (pictured) in the film, which explores the star's sexuality

Defence: While Taron - who identifies as heterosexual - has admitted he understands receiving backlash for playing a gay man, he insists he took on the role to challenge himself in his acting career

Embodying Elton: Taron (right) identifies as heterosexual, and hopes the LGBTQ community will accept his portrayal of Elton (left) in the film, which explores the star’s sexuality

In love: The Merseyside native also shared his stance on kissing The Bodyguard's Richard, 32, who plays music manager and Elton's lover John Reid in the film (pictured together in the film)

In love: The Merseyside native also shared his stance on kissing The Bodyguard’s Richard, 32, who plays music manager and Elton’s lover John Reid in the film (pictured together in the film)

The Merseyside native also shared his stance on kissing The Bodyguard’s Richard, 32, who plays music manager and Elton’s lover John Reid in the film.  

‘For me, kissing a man onscreen is no less appealing than kissing a woman onscreen’, he explained. ‘I’m not in any way repulsed by the male form. It’s an uncomfortable thing regardless of who you’re with — it makes no difference as to your sexual preference.’

Taron, who recently branded his friendship with Sir Elton ‘f**king surreal’, was met with praise from the legendary artist as he enthused about the actor’s portrayal: ‘I didn’t think it was Taron. I thought it was me. That’s the highest compliment I can tell you.’

Meanwhile, Taron has been tipped to take over Daniel Craig’s position as James Bond, alongside the likes of co-star Richard and Luther’s Idris Elba.

And while his partner Emily Thomas is currently working as assistant director for the spy series’ upcoming film in Jamaica, the Robin Hood actor quashed claims over joining the line-up as he stated: 

‘I have a spy franchise. I don’t know if anyone needs two.’

'I thought it was me': Taron, who recently branded his friendship with Sir Elton 'f**king surreal', was met with praise from the legendary artist as he enthused about the actor's portrayal  (pictured together in February)

‘I thought it was me’: Taron, who recently branded his friendship with Sir Elton ‘f**king surreal’, was met with praise from the legendary artist as he enthused about the actor’s portrayal  (pictured together in February)

One to watch: Labelled a 'true fantasy', Rocketman is co-produced by Sir Elton himself. The film is slated for release in the UK on May 31, and in the USA on May 17

One to watch: Labelled a ‘true fantasy’, Rocketman is co-produced by Sir Elton himself. The film is slated for release in the UK on May 31, and in the USA on May 17

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