'Rocketman' hurts: Playing Elton John required falling down stairs, singing underwater

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Taron Egerton plays Elton John in the biographical film “Rocketman.” He describes his favorite outfit from the movie and his musical inspiration.
Harrison Hill, USA TODAY

Playing Elton John in “Rocketman” is a gamble that has paid off for Taron Egerton, as the R-rated fantasy musical has earned rave reviews and a strong opening weekend.

But can we talk about the pain?

The 29-year-old British actor, who acknowledges he doesn’t do all of his own stunts in his “Kingsman” spy franchise, insisted on taking on any aspect of John’s life he could. That includes performing all of his own vocals as John and handling many of the stunts. 

“The character of Elton is my character, and I didn’t want any moment in the film to be anyone else’s,” Egerton says.

That’s a risky proposition considering his elaborate Elton John costumes alone, which often required making stage maneuvers in towering platform shoes.

Even Elton John’s codpiece had sequins: How his ‘Rocketman’ costumes steal the movie

More: ‘Rocketman’ Taron Egerton shoots for the moon playing Elton John in a bold new musical

“I have bad ankles and I never once twisted my ankle,” says Egerton, who played rugby. “Perhaps I was born for high heels.”

One of the most prominent “Rocketman” stunts involved a power tumble down the stairs of John’s mansion as the rock star struggles with drugs and alcohol. The close-up shot makes it clear that it’s Egerton taking the fall for cameras.

The actor decided on the shooting day to take the fall and planned it out with the stunt coordinators.

“I felt keenly that I could do that and do it safely,” says Egerton. “I have a back pad on. And I threw myself down the stairs. It looks painful and dangerous. But I didn’t get hurt in the slightest. And it’s quite shocking in the film. I’m so glad we did it.”

Another spectacular moment comes in an intricate “Rocketman” montage that begins with John – depressed, drugged and drunk – trying to kill himself by falling into his pool during a party.

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Taron Egerton lives large as Elton John in the musical “Rocketman,” due out May 31.
USA TODAY

At the bottom of the pool, a reclining John begins singing “Rocketman.” The dreamy fantasy sequence required director Dexter Fletcher to set up cameras 65 feet underwater and for Egerton to remain with a dive team for several takes lasting up to 20 minutes.

“I’ve done a lot of underwater work,” says Egerton. “But I’ve never done singing underwater.”

The substantial time underwater required a Zen attitude before removing the oxygen mask to lie back and pretend to sing.

“Lying on your back, underwater, is really hard. Because all the water shoots up your nose, and once that happens, you’re done,” says Egerton. “So there’s only a certain angle you can go back to. It’s a dicey thing.”

He pulled it off, mouthing the words before returning slowly to the surface.

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“The crew was kind enough to give me several rounds of applause during that,” Egerton says.

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