Tom Hardy to Play '70s Elton John in Rocketman Biopic

Left: Tom Hardy in 'Warrior'; Elton John circa 1973

Be still our beating heart. Tom Hardy has been cast in...wait, what? Focus Features (a post-James Schamus FF, we might add) announced yesterday that Hardy will play the music legend in a biopic titled Rocketman. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the film is set to start shooting in 2014 with an original screenplay by War Horse scribe Lee Hall. We have long followed Tom Hardy's sexy, strange career. He's played bisexual characters, intelligent psychopaths, and strange sci-fi killers. He's a babe. So why does he want to do Elton John when he was a bit of a '70s dork (albeit a hugely popular one) in flamboyant costumes and playing to stadiums as "straight"? We can only imagine Hardy''ll make genius acting decisions, but please tell us he doesn't have to get all doughy for the role? We figure shirtless scenes are out...

"Tom is a stellar talent who will add extraordinary depth and nuance in bringing Elton's story to life," said Rocket Pictures CEO Steve Hamilton Shaw. "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."

Schlessel added:

"Tom is quickly becoming known as one of the world's most versatile actors, and like others at the top of their craft, he has proven his ability to transform himself completely into the character or subject found in the material. We are confident that Tom will embody the physicality and spirit of Sir Elton. This, in conjunction with the creative team led by Michael and Rocket Pictures, will provide the foundation for something that will be a unique cinematic event."

OK, we were still reeling from the thought of Ben Whishaw playing gay rock 'n' roll legend Freddie Mercury in an as-yet-uncast biopic. Now, there's gonna be dueling prestige films with sexy actors playing music royalty? Anymore jaw-dropping gay film dude news?

[H/T OntheRedCarpet.com]