Yahoo News Exclusive: Elton John encouraged Rocketman to "push the boundaries"
Rocketman producer Matthew Vaughn has revealed that Elton John encouraged them to "push the boundaries" while making the film.
The musical fantasy movie depicts the story of Elton's rise to fame, as well as his struggles with drug and alcohol addiction – and the singer's husband David Furnish, who helped produce the film, was adamant that he didn't want any of it sugar-coated.
Speaking to Digital Spy, Vaughn said: "David was the perfect producing partner. He’d spent 12 years of his life passionately trying to get the film off the ground while protecting it, by refusing to go PG-13, and refusing to sugar-coat the whole thing, which is what all the studios wanted.
"So when I came along and read it, I was like, 'No, everything that you have been fighting for and have been saying ‘no’ to, is what I love about the script. So I’m in!' We really made the movie together in a way that was very complementary to both of us."
Vaughn then revealed that Elton was equally as keen to tell as vibrant a story as possible, wanting to give a truthful account of his life.
"What was amazing when we spoke to Elton as well – you know, Elton was like, 'Push it. Push the boundaries. Show the truth. I don’t want some boring vanilla version of my life story'.
"So we were incredibly blessed to have David and Elton so supportive from the beginning, and so brave."
Vaughn also recently responded to the claims of 'straight-washing' in the film, saying they always intended to make an R-rated movie.
Rocketman is out in UK cinemas now and on May 31 in the US.
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