As a cinephile who has witnessed the evolution of Taron Egerton‘s career, I must say that his journey is nothing short of remarkable. The Welsh actor has demonstrated an uncanny ability to embody diverse characters, from the dapper spy in the Kingsman series to the flamboyant Elton John in Rocketman.
Taron Egerton has had a remarkable acting journey, featuring in movies such as “Kingsman: The Secret Service” and the upcoming Netflix release “Carry-On,” set to premiere by the end of this year. One of his most memorable performances was portraying legendary musician Elton John in the award-winning biopic “Rocketman.” Prior to that, audiences could enjoy Egerton’s singing abilities in the 2016 animated film “Sing.
The movie “Sing” was produced by Illumination, the animation studio that gained popularity through movies like “Despicable Me”, “The Lorax”, and “The Secret Life of Pets”. Similar to “Rocketman”, “Sing” belongs in the genre of musicals using pre-existing songs, often referred to as jukebox musicals. In this production, Taron Egerton’s acting stood out significantly, showcasing his talents that would later make him an ideal fit for playing Elton John in a different film three years down the line.
What Is Taron Egerton’s Role in Sing?
As a cinephile, I found myself captivated by Taron Egerton’s character, Johnny, in the movie “Sing.” This gorilla of ours is no stranger to serenading the streets with his silky vocals, and one of his popular numbers is “The Way I Feel Inside,” a heartfelt tune originally by The Zombies. However, Johnny’s peaceful life is abruptly disrupted when his father, Big Daddy, gets involved in a robbery with his gang. This event stirs a conflict within Johnny. On one hand, he yearns to continue expressing himself through music; on the other, he fears letting go of his musical aspirations for a life of crime might shatter his father’s expectations. It is evident that Egerton’s exceptional singing talent highlights Johnny’s struggle and underscores the necessity for him to follow his heart’s calling.
Theater manager Buster Moon (voiced by Matthew McConaughey), a Koala, strives to save his struggling theater. His innovative idea? A talent competition offering cash prizes and opportunities for city animals to shine. One contestant, Johnny, captivates Buster with a short, enchanting rendition of Sam Smith’s “Stay With Me,” securing him a spot in the show. Despite this, Johnny struggles with playing the piano proficiently while accompanying John Legend’s “All of Me.” However, his singing remains exceptional.
As Johnny juggles assisting his father and rehearsals, he encounters heavy traffic and misses picking up his father from an important job, causing Big Daddy’s arrest. Filled with regret, Johnny considers taking the winnings from the talent show to post bail for his father, but finds a note commending his singing abilities instead. This encouragement convinces Johnny to continue participating in the talent show. The audience is reminded of Taron Egerton’s outstanding musical performances in this role through this plot development.
Following the theater being inundated, Johnny along with other animals chose to stage an outdoor concert as an alternative to the planned talent show, drawing attention from local news stations. Observing Johnny’s performance on prison television, Big Daddy recognized his son’s extraordinary singing ability akin to Taron Egerton’s, leading him to believe that music was Johnny’s destined path. In a touching finale, Big Daddy escaped from jail and attended the talent show in an attempt to make amends, wrapping up the film on a heartwarming note.
Rocketman and Sing Share This Other Connection
In a musical format, the movie “Rocketman” portrays the life story of musician Elton John. It highlights his battles with substance abuse and his journey as a gay man, using songs to drive the narrative. Taron Egerton portrays Elton John in this biopic, having previously collaborated with the singer in “Kingsman: The Golden Circle” (2017). Interestingly, Egerton had a prior link to the singer before that role.
In the movie Sing, Taron Egerton performs the final number “I’m Still Standing,” which is an Elton John classic. Interestingly, he also sings this song at the end of Rocketman. The rendition in Sing is more like the original version, while the performance in Rocketman starts off as a slow ballad and then transforms into the lively style we know from Elton John’s hit. In both films, Taron Egerton’s character experiences parental disappointment but ultimately learns to embrace himself, with “I’m Still Standing” serving as a powerful finale that symbolizes his triumph.
Taron Egerton’s past roles, particularly his rendition of “I’m Still Standing” in Sing, played a significant role in securing him the part in Rocketman. This was despite stiff competition from actors like Tom Hardy. Interestingly, Egerton had prior collaborations with the film’s director, Dexter Fletcher, on Eddie the Eagle, and with the film’s producer, Matthew Vaughn, on the Kingsman series. However, it was Egerton’s powerful performance in “I’m Still Standing” that convinced Elton John and his partner David Furnish of his potential for the role. As Matthew Vaughn told The Hollywood Reporter, their initial hesitation due to Tom Hardy’s previous attachment was quickly alleviated when they heard Taron sing. In Rocketman, Egerton even had the opportunity to duet with Elton John on the movie’s original, award-winning song, “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again.
For those eager to catch more of Egerton’s melodious tunes, he can be found in the sequel of “Sing,” titled “Sing 2”. In this film, he sings tracks such as “There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back” and “A Sky Full of Stars.” Additionally, Egerton stars in two spin-off shorts: “Come Home” and “Sing: Thriller”. The latter includes several characters from the original “Sing” movie, harmonizing to Michael Jackson’s famous song, “Thriller.
Sing
and
Sing: Thriller
is available to stream now on Netflix.
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2024-11-03 23:33