Star Taron Egerton was joined by legendary singer Elton John onstage for a live rendition of the song “Tiny Dancer” at last night’s 27th annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party. The gala event raised over $6.3 million for the global effort to end AIDS, with Egerton auctioning a trip to attend the Rocketman world premiere in London.
The audience was taken by surprise when Taron suggested an off-the-cuff performance of the song and Sir Elton John volunteered from the audience to accompany him on the piano. Guests were brought to their feet as they watched Elton John take his position on the keys while Taron belted out the lyrics to one of his most beloved ballads.
Rocketman will focus on Elton John’s beginnings, starting when he was a prodigy at the Royal Academy of Music and carrying over to when he reached global stardom through his influential and enduring musical partnership with his songwriting collaborator Bernie Taupin. It will look at the performer’s life past the glitter saturated image we have grown so accustomed to associating with the performer.
The film stars Taron Egerton (Kingsman: Secret Service) as the famed singer/songwriter, along with Jamie Bell (TURN: Washington’s Spies), Richard Madden (Game of Thrones), and Bryce Dallas Howard (Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom).
BAFTA nominee Dexter Fletcher (Wild Bill, Eddie the Eagle) will be directing Rocketman from a script by Oscar-nominated writer Lee Hall (Billy Elliot). Matthew Vaughn and his Marv Films will be producing the film alongside Elton John with his Rocket Pictures partner David Furnish.
Rocketman will land in theaters on May 31.