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Rocketman Will Be The First Major Studio Film To Feature Gay Sex Scenes

Rocketman Will Be The First Major Studio Film To Feature Gay Sex Scenes

The film, starring Taron Egerton, is due to be released in summer 2019 and it's already making history

Rebecca Shepherd

Rebecca Shepherd

Excitement is on the up for the Elton John biopic Rocketman, which premiered at the Canne Film Festival last night. And it turns out it's already making history, because it will be the first film made by a major studio to feature a male gay sex scene.

The film, produced by Paramount Pictures, shows Elton John (played by Taron Egerton) having sex with his lover and music manager, John Reid (played by Richard Madden).

Hollywood films have, in the past, shied away from such scenes but this one will feature nudity, kissing and stimulated oral sex between the pair, according to the Telegraph.

We hear you: 'But what about Brokeback Mountain? Or Call My by Your Name?' Yes, they also showed gay sex scenes but those two films were each released by smaller studios.

Recent Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody - which won a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture - was criticised for only showing sex scenes with Mercury and his female lover and initially, fans worried that such scenes in this upcoming flick could be deleted, resulting in similar criticisms.

Well, looks like that particular concern can be ruled out.

Taron Egerton in character as Elton John.
Paramount Pictures

Egerton, 29, told The Hollywood Reporter "Everyone is obsessed with it. ... For me, kissing a man onscreen is no less appealing than kissing a woman onscreen.

"I'm not in any way repulsed by the male form. It's an uncomfortable thing regardless of who you're with - it makes no difference as to your sexual preference."

Speaking to VT, he added: "I've approached it wholeheartedly and I hope that for that reason people accept me [as Elton]. The LGBTQ community has always been about inclusiveness, hasn't it? Not about, 'We're here. You're there.' In fact, if you want to come in, come on in."

Rocketman is based on the life of Elton John, the famously flamboyant singer, pianist and composer who is one of the best-selling music artists in the entire world.

In the trailer, we see Egerton perform as Elton while Richard Madden's voiceover narrates: "There are moments in a rock star's life that define who he is. Where there was darkness, there is now you. And it's going to be a wild ride."

Directed by Dexter Fletcher - who worked with Egerton on 2016's Eddie the Eagle - the film was written by Billy Elliot writer Lee Hall, and also stars Jamie Bell, Richard Madden and Bryce Dallas Howard. It's due to be released in summer 2019.

Featured Image Credit: Paramount Pictures

Topics: Entertainment, TV and Film, elton john