Tom Hardy Will Play Elton John in Rocketman Movie: Biographical Film Will Feature Music From Elton John's Official Catalog [PHOTO]

American company FilmDistrict paid $10 million in June to acquire the rights to the Elton John biopic Rocketman, Deadline reports. The movie will be directed by Michael Gracey and Tom Hardy will star as Elton John. AI Film and Rocket Pictures will produce the movie. The film will begin with Elton John as a 5-year-old prodigy who, by age 11, had won a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music. The film then goes on to show John rebel against his upbringing and create lucrative songs with Bernie Taupin, wear ridiculous costumes, and sell more records than most of his contemporaries.

The official statement reads:

"Tom Hardy will star as Elton John in the Rocket Pictures' Rocketman, and Focus Features has come aboard to give the film a major U.S. release, producers announced today. The Hardy deal caps a lengthy search to case the role of Elton in the film, which will be co-financed by AI Film.

Much like the man himself, Rocketman is a larger-than-life movie musical spectacle that tells the story of a child prodigy turned music legend. Elton will re-record many of his iconic hits to parallel the motional beats of the film that will have audiences on their feet, singing along to his much loved music. The film is scheduled to shoot in fall 2014."

Rocket Pictures CEO Steve Hamilton Shaw talked about Tom Hardy. He said, "Tom is a stellar talent who will add extraordinary depth and nuance in bringing Elton's story to life. We are excited to have such a gifted actor on board, and equally excited to be in the hands of Peter Schlessel and the entire Focus Features team."