Sir Elton John and Taron Egerton took the stage for a duet of “Tiny Dancer” during the 27th annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party. Egerton stars in the much-anticipated musical fantasy Rocketman inspired by Elton John’s life and career, and it’s evident from the video of the impromptu performance that John’s supportive of the project and of Egerton.
Taron Egerton suggested the duet during the viewing party’s auction, and Sir Elton John willing sat at the piano as Egerton sang “Tiny Dancer.” John joined in on the chorus and the pair finished the song together.
Sir Elton John’s annual viewing party is held to raise funds to combat AIDS across the globe. This year’s party was held at the West Hollywood Park in Los Angeles and raised more than $6.3 million for the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
In addition to Taron Egerton (the Kingsman films), Rocketman stars Jamie Bell as Elton John’s writing partner Bernie Taupin. Bryce Dallas Howard plays Elton’s mother, Sheila Farebrother. Game of Thrones‘ Richard Madden is Elton’s first manager, John Reid. Tate Donovan is Doug Weston, Charlie Rowe is Ray Williams, Gemma Jones is Ivy, and Tom Bennett plays Fred.
Dexter Fletcher directed and Lee Hall wrote the screenplay. Fletcher previously directed Taron Egerton in Eddie the Eagle, the true story of unlikely Olympian Eddie Edwards. Fletcher also finished up the Oscar-winning musical biopic Bohemian Rhapsody after Bryan Singer and the studio parted ways.
Rocketman‘s behind the scenes team includes cinematographer George Richmond, production designer Marcus Rowland, costume designer Julian Day, with music by Matthew Margeson. Matthew Vaughn, David Furnish, Adam Bohling, and David Reid served as producers, and Sir Elton John, Steve Hamilton Shaw, Michael Gracey, Claudia Schiffer, and Brian Oliver executive produced.
Paramount Pictures has set a May 31, 2019 theatrical release date.
The Plot:
“Rocketman is an epic musical fantasy about the incredible human story of Elton John’s breakthrough years. The film follows the fantastical journey of transformation from shy piano prodigy Reginald Dwight into international superstar Elton John. This inspirational story – set to Elton John’s most beloved songs and performed by star Taron Egerton – tells the universally relatable story of how a small-town boy became one of the most iconic figures in pop culture.”
