While Taron Egerton may have nailed his performance in Elton John's biopic 'Rocketman', the actor wasn't the first choice for the role.
Elton had singer-songwriter Justin Timberlake in his mind to portray his character. However Elton he never formally held talks with the singer.
"We never formally approached Justin because we weren't ever at a stage where it was the right time to approach him," David Furnish, 'Rocketman' producer and Elton's husband told The Hollywood Reporter.
Timberlake was a part of John's 2001 song 'This Train Don't Stop There Anymore', about which Furnish said, "He did an amazing job in the video. He put on a prosthetic nose, and it turned out to have been some really interesting acting work as well."
Elton told the crowd at Cannes after party, "Taron Egerton came onboard this film because somebody else dropped out."
"His performance in this film is scary brilliant. ... When I watch the movie, I don't see an actor, I see myself," he added.
Directed by Dexter Fletcher, Lee Hall has penned the screenplay of the epic musical. Elton and his husband David have produced it with Lawrence Bender, Adam Bohling, David Reid and Matthew Vaughn.
'Rocketman' was screened at the 72nd Cannes Film Festival.
( With inputs from ANI )