Justin Timberlake to Star as Elton John in Upcoming Film Biopic?

In an interview in the January 1st Los Angeles Times, singer- songwriter Elton John spoke about his plans for an upcoming biopic that he currently has in the works. In commenting about the project, the singer revealed to the LA Times, "That's very much in the works. We're making an announcement about that very, very soon. We have a director on board, and then it's just going to be a matter of getting the script exactly the way we want it... and then we'll start trying to cast and plan". Lee Hall, the playwright who penned the 2000 film 'Billy Elliot', which was later adapted into a musical with music by John and lyrics from Hall, and which won the 2009 Tony Award for Best Musical, has penned the screenplay for the biopic. The movie will be based on John's illustrious career and how he got to where he is today.

When asked in the recent interview about which actor John has in mind to take on the lead role, the singer replied, "I don't know. I've got a wish list of people. No. 1 on my wish list is Justin Timberlake, because he played me before in a David LaChapelle video of "Rocket Man" and was superb."

John further elaborated on his vision for the biopic, hinting that it may take the form of a 'jukebox musical', "That would be a jukebox musical in earnest, maybe with a couple of new songs. You never know. Because it's going to be a surreal look at my life, and not just a factual look at my life, more in the manner of a "Moulin Rouge!" I just don't want it to be a normal biopic because my life hasn't been like that. And it only goes up to when I go into rehab in 1990. It starts with me going into rehab and ends when I come out."

While John laments that 'Moulin Rouge!' director Baz Luhrmann was not available to direct the project, he shares his pleasure over the yet unnamed person who will be in the director's chair, "We tried to get Baz [Luhrmann], but Baz is so busy. We can't announce it yet, but we have got someone on board that we're very excited about."

In his four-decade career John has sold more than 250 million records, making him one of the most successful artists of all time. His single "Candle in the Wind 1997" has sold over 33 million copies worldwide, and is the best selling single in Billboard history. He has more than 50 Top 40 hits, including seven consecutive No. 1 US albums, 56 Top 40 singles, 16 Top 10, four No. 2 hits, and nine No. 1 hits. He has won six Grammy Awards, an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award and a Tony Award. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked him Number 49 on its list of the 100 greatest artists of all time. John composed the music for a West End Theatre production of Billy Elliot the Musical in 2005 with playwright Lee Hall. Along with 'Billy Elliot', John's other Broadway hits include 'The Lion King' and 'Aida'.

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