The much anticipated Elton John bio-pic Rocketman is set release in theaters at the end of May.
Following in the footsteps of Bohemian Rhapsody , the controversy surrounding a musical movie staring a queer man has (unsurprisingly) raised irrelevant concerns about depicting LGBTQ+ characters authentically in movies.
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Sadly, filmmakers at Paramount were being pressured to remove a “scandalous” clip from the film in order to drop the rating to PG-13.
The scene in question? A whole 40 seconds of two men cuddling nude.
I know, right? Lock your doors. Draw your curtains. GRAB YOUR WIGS.
According to The Guardian , “The offending scene features stars Taron Egerton as John, and Richard Madden as his lover and manager John Reid, naked in bed together — and although their bare bottoms are on display, intercourse is not depicted. “
Here that, prudes? “Intercourse is not depicted” — I REPEAT, THERE’S NO SEX!
Elton John gave full permission to make the film as racy as possible, telling filmmakers to “tell it all. Go as R-rated as you need to.”
In wake of all the controversy the film’s director, Dexter Fletcher, took to Twitter to address the rumors and to promise viewers a “no holds barred” film.
“It’s still unfinished so it’s nothing but rumors,” he continued.
We’re trusting you, Dexter!
We don’t want a watered down film, we want the crazy, colorful life of Elton John — unfiltered!
