'Rocketman' Premieres in London

Taron Egerton said he felt "incredibly" privileged to portray Elton John in "Rocketman." The musical fantasy charts Elton's rise to fame, as well as his personal struggle and friendship with songwriting partner Bernie Taupin (played by Jamie Bell) 

"I've left this process with a really strong friendship with an incredible man," the actor told Digital Spy. "I feel incredibly privileged to be a part of his life and I feel incredibly honored to be entrusted with the great privilege of portraying him."

Egerton wasn't the first actor to be cast as Elton -- back in 2013, Tom Hardy was actually attached to the role in the film's early stages. Earlier this month, producer Matthew Vaughn revealed that he suggested replacing Hardy with Egerton to Elton John and his husband, David Furnish, when they were struggling to get the movie off the ground. "I said, 'Look, I don't understand how this hasn't been made, and if you want me to team up with you, I'm in'," he recalled.

"I really think Tom Hardy is one of the best actors, but I felt he was too old for the role [Hardy is now 41]. And two, they said the idea was Tom was going to lip-sync," he continued. He added: "John and Furnish were on the fence because they had Tom Hardy attached, but when they heard Taron sing, it was like a no-brainer. "They were like, 'OK, he's unbelievable'."

Richard Madden

Boy George and guest

Taron Egerton signs autographs

David Furnish and Elton John

David Furnish and Elton John

Taron Egerton

Richard Madden