Elton John Ready to Do a Film About His Life

Jan 21, 2011 - Sir Elton John has accomplished so much over the course of his career, but he's not slowing down one bit and says there's still a lot left he'd like to do. When asked what he'd still like to accomplish while at the Gnomeo and Juliet press conference, Sir Elton John (composer and executive producer of the animated garden gnomes in love film) joked, "There’s always things you want to do and obviously ballet is not an option," before going on to reveal a project he hopes will come to fruition. John revealed one thing he wants to do is make a movie about his life, and in fact Billy Elliott screenwriter Lee Hall has written a script.

"I just like to make a really great film about my life story and we are thinking about that. We have a great script already written by Lee Hall who wrote Billy Elliott. Obviously it's not going to be your normal run of the mill film because my life has been kind of crazy. And I think it's important to do kind of a surrealistic take on my life. I’d love to do that."

"This business is so incredible. In 1993 I got a phone call from Tim Rice saying would I do The Lion King. Well, at that time all I was doing was making records, touring and doing videos. It gave me the opportunity - with that one phone call - to suddenly write musicals for stage and film scores, and it just opened the doors to so many things."

"I don’t know what’s around the corner and that’s kind of the way I like it. You really can’t plan...my life or my career has not been planned. 'Oh, in three years we're going to do this.' It just happens by accident. That’s why I think all three of us as creative people sitting up here [meaning Gnomeo and Juliet voice actors James McAvoy and Emily Blunt], as performers we love it because you never know what part you're going to be offered, you never know what gig you're going to be offered, and that one part or one show or one project can change your whole life. That’s the way I look at it. I don’t really have any more ambitions other than I just want to work and do excellent stuff and enjoy it, and I’m enjoying everything in my life. But I think the element of surprise in this business is what makes us really love it. One day you’re sitting by the phone waiting to do something or not doing anything and the next day you have the chance of a lifetime. Those little phone calls don’t come up so often but when they come up it's fantastic."

John added, "An example of that is, for example in 1990 if you had said that in 1993 I’d be writing a song about a f**king warthog I would have said you’re out of your mind. When Tim Rice gave me notes saying, 'When I was a young warthog,’ I faxed him back saying, ‘I’m losing my mind.’ And looked what happened. If you would have said in 1990 I’d make a film about garden gnomes I would have said you're crazy. This is the joyous thing about being a creative person, things that come along that completely surprise you that you normally never would have thought of doing."

And if Sir Elton John is serious about making a film about his incredible life and career, James McAvoy would be more than happy to be a part of it.

"I’d also like to say that I’m available for a while and I can play the piano so if you’re looking for a person to play you at the age of 31 I’m available," joked McAvoy.

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Gnomeo and Juliet hits theaters on February 11, 2011.