Batman star Tom Hardy to play Elton John in ‘Rocketman’ biopic

It’s been confirmed actor Tom Hardy is to play Sir Elton John in a biopic of the legendary pop icon.

The 36-year-old, known for his villainous role as Bane in ‘Batman: The Dark Knight Rises’ was tipped to play Sir Elton in the pending project earlier this year.  

‘Rocketman’ is being made with the co-operation of Sir Elton who is an executive producer on the film.

It will begin shooting in late 2014, Focus Features said.

Sir Elton’s civil partner David Furnish is also on board as a producer.

Peter Schlessel, CEO of Focus Features, the film’s producers, added that they are “confident that Tom Hardy will embody the physicality and spirit of Sir Elton.”

The screenplay has been penned by Lee Hall, who was Oscar-nominated for Billy Elliot, and recently worked on the film adaptation of War Horse.

Last month, Sir Elton, 66, performed a tribute at the Emmy Awards to Liberace, the gay American pianist and vocalist whose life was told in the recent biopic, Behind the Candelabra.

Tom Hardy is also known for his parts in blockbusters such as Inception and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.

He’s been engaged to actress Charlotte Riley since 2010, and told Now Magazine that he had experimented with men when he was younger: “As a boy? Of course I have. I’m an actor for ****’s sake.

“I’m done experimenting but there’s plenty of stuff in a relationship with another man, especially gay men, that I need in my life.”

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