Kingsman: The Golden Circle
Elton John ’s cameo inKingsman : The Golden Circlemay be the weirdest part of the super spy sequel , which deliberate it ’s also a movie whereColin Firth is fetch back to lifeafter a bullet train to the eye says a slew . rent ’s appear at how he came to be involved , what he was like on set , and whether it works . It was known from early on that the vocalist would have some role in the film care ofa teaser poster , but few could have expected the resulting cameo to be as substantial as it was . In the motion picture , Elton John is captured by Julianne Moore ’s Poppy , a drug swivel pin striving to be a legitimate businesswoman , and held hostage in her fifties hideout paradise . The main reason for this in - account is her opportunism - as Valentine , the scoundrel of the first film , had kidnapped so many celebrities , the cushy - spoken , meat - tenderizing sociopath resolve it would be rude not to - and it seem that Elton is in the first place used for her entertainment , dressed up in versions of his classic costumes and force to playact his classic .
But there ’s more to it than that . This is a hearty cameo to the power point John is basically a supporting play . And it ’s something that ’s several yr ( and two movies ) in the making . The cast ofKingsman , director Matthew Vaughn and John himself have discussed how this came about and what it really means , so today lease ’s take a deeper look .
Elton John Was Meant To Be In The First Kingsman
This is n’t the first fourth dimension that Elton John has been linked toKingsman . During the pre - production ofThe Secret Service , a whole legion of noteworthy celebrities , includingDavid Beckhamand Adele , were bruit to have cameo . This is probable due to the essential part A - listers looseness in the plot of land - they ’re snatch by the villain - and as such whether these gens were actually approached or this was just speculation base on a quick glance at Mark Millar ’s pictorial novel is unidentified . Elton John got chunk in with this rampant surmisal , with it reported by tabloids he was offer a part that involve an action scene .
We now cognise that , in footing of Rocket Man himself , this is totally straight ; he was proffer a part and turned it down ( likely due to the picture show ’s audacious access and unproven quality ) , something he regretted when he see the tone of the finished ware . talk at the world premiere , Elton had this to say :
" I was supposed to be in the last one , but I turned it down and then I escort it and I thought " I care I ’d have been in it " So they expect me to be in this one - Matthew said to be in this one - and I jumped at the prospect . I ’m so thrilled to be in it . "
Whatever the programme was , it sound like the part was essential ; when the offer was rejected , Colin Firth in reality wrote to John begging him to be in the film , knowing just how much Matthew Vaughn wanted the singer .
What role he ’d have playact initially is unclear . It may have been related toMark Hamill ’s cameo , which differs slightly from Millar ’s take ( in the comic the real Hamill is killed at the first , whereas in the film the role player plays a scientist working for Valentine ) , although the graphic novel earthing does make that seem unlikely . It ’s potential that , given he was linked to an action scene , it was a similar setup to his eventual part inThe Golden Circle- a seize celebrity who winds up helping the heroes in the finale .
no matter , the upshot of all this is that when Elton was offered the part again , he suppose yes almost like a shot .
Why Was Elton John Important?
There ’s a lot of reasons to agree Elton John intoKingsman . For one , due to the famous person - stealing strategy , it ’s an integral part of the word . And given thatMatthew Vaughn is trying to capture the tactile property of picture he loved growing upwith this serial , it makes sense as a agency to bring in one or two of the legends ' back catalog ( as well as " Wednesday Nights " , " Jack Rabbit " play over the credit ) .
Beyond that , though , there ’s a more metatextual ground for using him inKingsman . This is a franchise that straddle a line between serious and pastiche - it ’s both at once yet never fully either . Having someone with such a loaded , clearly defined yet sprawling public part appear as himself is entirely meet ; as Vaughn say atThe Golden Circlepremiere , " he ’s a serious man that does n’t take himself seriously which actually tote up up Kingsman . "
But it ’s particularly meet ofThe Golden Circlegiven its cultural measure . Unlike a lot of other picture show that hone in on the 1980s for nostalgic references - see most of Marvel ’s output andthe late Stephen King revitalization - Kingsman 2is more about the 1950s . Or , rather , the fifties as see through the 1970s ; Poppy citesGreaseandAmerican Graffitias inspirations . It ’s a mental representation of references within references , a pastiche in its own way of how polish repeats and obsesses .
Whenwe question Julianne Moore about Poppy , we talked about that aesthetic and how it splice into the conclusion to kidnap someone with the specific qualities of Elton John :
" I even care the fact the someone she captures is Elton John . The Elton John she wants is the Elton John from the 1970s . You know , from that era with the crazy costumes and the large shoes and the specificity of it was important to me . "
What Elton John Was Like Behind-the-Scenes
Across several conversations , those involved with the part have also shared their take on the whole matter . Elton himself was frank about nerves - he ’s not done much in the way of big screen performing - and compliment all those involved for make it an gratifying experience at the existence premiere :
" I was lucky enough to work my scenes with Colin and Julianne Moore , and they were so swell and mythic to work with and made me find at habitation because I was very nervous . And the crew on the set were grotesque , and so was the film director . They made me sense at home and it was like I was working with a family . "
Many of those who work with him have described it as a " ambition get true " , with Vaughn also aver " He was pure professional , natural and lovely . " Moore made a particular detail of saying he was always biz and well-chosen to oh - so heavily institutionalize himself up , saying " He took it all so lightly . He was gentle about air himself up and wearing those crazy matter , and was so generous on Seth . Really generous . " All in all , a sound experience .
Does The Elton John Cameo Work?
However , the ultimate interrogation is whether this all function . Does the weight make so a layered cameo or just stretch believability ?
In truth , it bet on how you take the film . In the film , Elton John is … well he ’s Elton John . The actor said of playing himself , " It ’s very easy . That ’s all I can say . " And , yeah , John ’s public presentation is as basic as you ’d expect from a non - actor - almost himself but a bit stilted . It ’s fine enough but still distracting . He work secure in the more overtly comedic mo that demand him just attend like Elton John ( circa 1974 ) or action ( which he was apparently double for ) . Still , overall it adds ginger to a prequel that ’s otherwise got a rather mixed response .
All matter said , it ’s done with more purpose and affection than 2017 ’s other mega medicine - star topology cameo in a major smash hit - just be thankful it ’s notPaul McCartney inPirates of the Caribbean 5 .
Next:Kingsman 3: What The Director and Cast Want in the Sequel
