Rocketman star Taron Egerton revealed he wasn’t watching the movie during its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in France last week – he was watching its subject, Elton John, instead.

The musical film is based on John’s life and career, and features a soundtrack sung by Egerton, previously best known for his Kingsman appearances. It was directed by Dexter Fletcher, who also completed work on last year's Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody.

John and his husband David Furnish acted as Rocketman co-producers.

“Dexter and I watched it from a 45-degree angle to watch Elton and David,” Egerton told the BBC (via Music-News.com). “They were grabbing and squeezing each other’s knees. They were crying … [it was] really emotional. It’s the spirit of their life.”

John had earlier admitted that he cried while watching Rocketman before its premiere, and was happy to confirm he’d done so again at Cannes. “To be honest with you, I was blown away," he said. "I was very moved. I cried the first time I saw it, and I cried a lot this time. ... I'm very, very proud of this movie."

In another interview, he reflected on how he managed to keep working during the period in which his drink and drugs consumption had spiraled out of control. He cited the example of his two performances at Los Angeles' Dodger Stadium in 1975.

“Just before the gig at Dodgers stadium, I had the overdose and then two days later I was onstage," he said. "I had a lot of stamina and the show must go on. … But when you look back. I think, ‘How the hell did I do it and still be working, with addiction and everything?’ But that's what got me through – that I was still making records.”

 

 

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