Terry O'Neill/Hulton Archive/Getty Images; Nick Sadler/startraksphoto.comBet you didn't see this one coming!
Tom Hardy has officially signed on to play the one and only Elton John in Rocket Pictures' biopic Rocketman.
Known for his role as Bane in The Dark Knight Rises, the 36-year-old actor comes as a surprise to those who hoped Justin Timberlake would land the role. At one point, John revealed that the "Suit & Tie" singer was high on his wish list for potential actors.
The upcoming film, slated to start shooting in fall 2014, will tell the story of Sir Elton's life as a young prodigy (then known as Reg Dwight) all the way to becoming an Oscar- and Grammy-winning musician.
Sir Elton himself is expected to re-record many of his iconic hits in hopes of bringing the story to life.
Rocketman has been in the planning stages for several years now. John and his partner, David Furnish, began working on the project as early as fall 2011.
After the script was complete, the duo was simply waiting to find the perfect director (now Michael Gracey) and actor to play John.
Do you agree with the casting decision? Can you see Tom Hardy as Elton John? Sound off in our comments section below!