Elton John Biopic Gets Director

The forthcoming Elton John biopic Rocketman has found a director whose work has been widely seen, though he’s not a marquee name. Michael Gracey, whose resumé includes commercials for T-Mobile and the Gap, will steer the project, Deadline Hollywood reports.

The film, written by Billy Elliot scribe Lee Hall, will track John’s career from a five-year-old prodigy to a young man rebelling against his strict upbringing to one of the most successful and well-known musicians of his time.

“Everyone knows and loves Elton John’s music, but the true story of his life is so incredible that it can only be described as a fantasy,” Gracey said. “His journey from impossible dreamer to stardom and uncontrollable excess is something only a musical film can capture, and I’m so excited to be the one to tell his story.”

Rocketman will reportedly include extravegant choreographed sequences to John’s biggest hits, making use of Gracey’s experience directing commercials with huge dance numbers.

Produced by John’s own Rocket Pictures, the film is currently searching for actors to play the pianist as both a child and an adult. John himself said he’d love Justin Timberlake to portray him in the movie after catching the pop star in the David La Chapelle directed video for “This Train Don’t Stop Here Anymore.” Just recently, Timberlake employed his Elton John impression while hosting Saturday Night Live for the fifth time.