The Elton John biopic Rocketman just hit theaters, and British actor Taron Egerton is playing the role of Elton.
But it turns out, Taron wasn’t the first choice for the role.
Justin Timberlake was actually the first person Elton and his husband David Furnish were interested in, after they were very impressed by Justin’s appearance in Elton’s 2001 music video for “This Train Don't Stop There Anymore."
“We never formerly approached Justin because we weren't ever at a stage where it was the right time to approach him,” said Furnish, who was also a producer for Rocketman.
“But he did an amazing job in the video. He put on a prosthetic nose, and it turned out to have been some really interesting acting work as well.”
Although things could have potentially been VERY different with Justin in the lead role, it sounds like Elton is extremely happy with Taron's work on the film.
He told Cannes, “His performance in this film is scary brilliant. … When I watch the movie, I don’t see an actor, I see myself.”
(via Hollywood Reporter)