If Rocketman gets good reviews -- from fans even more than critics -- it could theoretically enjoy success on a level next to Bohemian Rhapsody, which just kept quietly making money week after week until we all turned around and it was knocking on the door of $1 billion worldwide. Most of that money came from overseas, though -- especially Japan, which just went crazy for Queen -- and it's much less likely that Rocketman will be embraced by the foreign box office in the same way. But we'll see. Keep up with all of the 2019 movies ahead with our handy release schedule.<doc-sep>The Elton John biopic Rocketman is out May 31. It stars Taron Egerton as Elton, and the actor actually sings in the film. Today, the first taste of the soundtrack has been released. Listen to Egerton’s rendition of “Rocket Man” below (and why not, the original, too). Taron Egerton’s “Rocket Man” will appear on the Rocketman soundtrack, which comes out May 24 via Interscope.Rocketman follows Elton John’s life “from his years as a prodigy at the Royal Academy of Music through his influential and enduring musical partnership with Bernie Taupin.” It stars Egerton, Jamie Bell, Richard Madden, and Bryce Dallas Howard. Kate Bush officially released her version of “Rocket Man” earlier this year, and last year, the song was the basis for Young Thug’s “High.” Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated Rocketman hits theaters May 17. It’s been updated to reflect the correct May 31 release date.<doc-sep>Rocketman star Taron Egerton has admitted that he understands why gay actors would feel more suited to the role of Elton John. The biopic, which is directed by Bohemian Rhapsody‘s Dexter Fletcher, will detail how the singer was married to Renate Blauel before he eventually came out as gay in 1988. Egerton told Attitude magazine: “It’s easy for me to sit here as a white, heterosexual man and say I should be able to play a part I want. But I completely understand why a gay actor would feel that this is an opportunity for which they would be better suited. Advertisement “The way I feel about it is that Elton asked me to play him in a movie about his life. I am proud and privileged to be playing this person who happens to be gay. “I want to live in a world where people are excited about playing people who are different from themselves. I believe that there is something inclusive and progressive about that.” The music and the magic of Elton’s incredible life comes to the big screen in #Rocketman! ? Watch the team behind the film discuss his journey from prodigy to icon in this special look at @rocketmanmovie, in theatres May 31st. pic.twitter.com/LgotCiV84E — Elton John (@eltonofficial) April 18, 2019 Egerton also discussed his screen kiss with Bodyguard star Richard Madden, who plays lover and manager John Reid in the film. “The rawness of that experience, the fear of that experience, but also the joy of the experience of Elton’s first kiss. It’s electric, it’s exciting, your stomach is doing somersaults,” he said. “I treat it with the same love, care and affection I would as if it was my first experience of falling for somebody. We shot a scene where we are both naked on a bed and we are rolling around. I don’t really know how much further we could have gone.” Advertisement Egerton previously attracted a backlash from critics who asked if the heterosexual star was the right person to tackle Elton’s tale of grappling with his sexual identity in the film. The Kingsman actor at the the time praised the “inclusiveness” of the LGBT community and said that he feels “more at home in a gay club than at a football match”. Rocketman is set for release next month.<doc-sep>
EXCLUSIVE: From the minute Rocketman landed an out of competition spot at Cannes, it’s been buzzed that Elton John could perform at tonight’s after-premiere party, the same spot some 37 years ago where he shot the music video for his hit 1983 song “I’m Still Standing.” Well, it wouldn’t be a shocker if that happens: A stage is literally being built this morning on the beach. See photo above. The latest word from our sources is that John and Egerton could possibly perform a duet. We’ve heard for some time that pulling off such a feat was a tall order, given John’s touring schedule, logistics and security. Paramount provided no comment to our queries. Two days ago, Egerton appeared on the French talk program Quotidien in which he was asked whether there would be a live performance on the beach after the premiere. The actor confirmed John’s attendance at the Cannes launch but with raised eyebrows and a smile seemingly poured water on the duet idea, “I’m not going to sing on the beach, after that I can not speak for Sir Elton John,” to which the show’s host Yann Barthès concluded “Ok, so there will be a concert of Elton John in Cannes.” Egerton stars (and provides vocals) as John in the musical film about the singer’s formative years. Cast also includes Richard Madden, Bryce Dallas Howard, Jamie Bell as Bernie Taupin, Harriet Walter, Tate Donovan and Stephen Graham. During TIFF last fall, hopes were high that Lady Gaga would perform at the afterparty for the North American premiere of A Star Is Born. That didn’t happen despite the fact the afterparty was held at a venue with a stage.