Similar to Sir Elton John and songwriting partner Bernie Taupin, whenever the minds of Matthew Vaughn, Taron Egerton, and Dexter Fletcher combine, the result is incredible art. But how does one foster such a successful creative partnership?
“Trust and respect, I would say is the most important thing” stated “Rocketman” producer Vaughn (‘Kingsman,’ “X-Men: First Class,” ‘Kick-Ass‘), “and the unified ambition to make as good and entertaining movies as possible, and friendship. So, we all talk frankly to each other, and we all push each other’s boundaries, but at the same time, we’re there to help each other when we cross them. And not scared to make mistakes, but if they’re made, we clear up the mess together.”
Following the ups and downs of Elton John, “Rocketman” is the fantastical musical biopic telling of John’s claim to fame, enduring musical partnership with Bernie Taupin, and his struggles with depression, substance abuse and sexual orientation.
Perhaps more so than previous collaborations, you could sense the personal connection Vaughn, Fletcher, and Egerton had to the story of Elton John and his music with Vaughn himself drawing some comparisons between the famed musician, Egerton, and Fletcher.
“I’ve watched Taron- meeting him as a guy who’s never done a movie before, walking into an audition, knocking it out of the park,” stated Vaughn. “Then going on this sort of unbelievable career of fame and fortune thrust upon him at a young age. And continuing to do great work, having ups and downs, but deep down, has a heart of gold. There’s a lot of similarities between him and Elton. They’re very warm, open people, but also incredibly sensitive, don’t like being knocked over but get knocked over, and then they get up.”
He continued, “With Dexter, there are similarities. He was like a prodigy little actor, at age four doing ‘Bugsy Malone,’ or whatever he was when he played Babyface. He then became this big famous cool actor, doing ‘Caravaggio,’ and “Revolution,’ and then he did this thing called ‘Press Gang,’ and then everything went wrong, and he got onto drugs and fucked it all up basically. And then came back in ‘Lock, Stock,’ and won Guy [Ritchie] and I over in the audition process and all became friends…And I think ‘Rocketman,’ for Dexter and Taron, really connected to the material on an emotional level, and I think that’s why people like the film because it feels authentic.”
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During my interview with Vaughn, we not only discussed his working relationship with Taron Egerton and Dexter Fletcher but where his love of Elton John originated from, if he ever considered directing the project himself, the future of ‘Kingsman’ and much more.
You can listen to the entirety of my interview with Matthew Vaughn below along with our review of the Elton John musical biopic. “Rocketman” is now playing in theaters.
‘Rocketman’: Taron Egerton Anchors Dexter Fletcher’s Flashy Elton John Biopic [Cannes Review]
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