Elton John biopic finds director

The long mooted Elton John biopic Rocketman has taken a step nearer production with the news that music promo and commercials director Michael Gracey has been hired to oversee the film.

Produced through John’s Rocket Pictures, and masterminded by producers David Furnish (John’s partner with whom he has two sons) and Steve Hamilton Shaw, the film has been conceived as a musical described by John himself as “Moulin Rouge type of stuff”. A script has already been acquired from Billy Elliot writer Lee Hall. According to Shaw: “Michael has an innovative, imaginative and compelling vision for the film.”

Gracey is best known for his dance-oriented commercials, including the Evian babies and the T-Mobile Flashmob spots, as well as highly choreographed promos for Will Young’s Your Game and Call My Name for Charlotte Church. Gracey is also attached to direct The Greatest Show on Earth, a PT Barnum biopic with Hugh Jackman.