Elton John Confirms Musical Biopic, Wants Justin Timberlake For Lead

Robbie Daw | January 3, 2012 9:00 am

Pop-rock royal Elton John confirmed that a jukebox musical based on his life is in the works, and that he’d like former-popstar-turned-actor Justin Timberlake to portray him in the film. “I’ve got a wish list of people,” John told the Los Angeles Times. “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.” Elton is referring to Timberlake’s turn as the “Your Song” legend in the concert film “Rocket Man” sequence of his Red Piano shows in Las Vegas.

Justin Timberlake as Elton John in the “Rocket Man” concert film from The Red Piano

Parts of this were used in Elton’s video for “This Train Don’t Stop There Anymore”, off 2001 album Songs From The West Coast. (Watch for Paul “Pee Wee Herman” Reubens’ appearance as John’s longtime manager John Reid.)

Justin Timberlake as Elton John in the “This Train Don’t Stop There Anymore” video

Elton told the Los Angeles Times that he and partner David Furnish will be producing the film, while Billy Elliot scribe has penned the script. John and Hall previously collaborated on the Billy Elliot musical adapted from the film. Meanwhile, Elton and David co-produced last year’s animated Gnomeo & Juliet, which is currently up for Best Original Song at the upcoming Golden Globe Awards.

Here’s how Sir Elt describes his biopic:

“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.”

John noted that there is a director attached to the project that everyone is “very excited about,” and that there will be an announcement “very, very soon.”

Do you think playing Elton John would be the role that turns Justin Timeberlake into a bona fide box office draw? Or is there someone you think is better suited to fit the bill?