Pop star turned Hollywood actor Justin Timberlake is taking an offer to play Elton John in the forthcoming biopic Rocketman "very seriously". The Social Network star may need extra time to mull over the role, given that it's been offered to him by Elton himself.
During a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times, the British rocker revealed that Justin was "No.1" on his wish-list to play the lead role in Rocketman. Timberlake is no stranger to the role, having played Elton so convincingly in David LaChapelle's video for This Train Don't Stop There Anymore, and it seems he's now keen on having a stab at Elton on the big-screen. Following the musician's comments, a close friend of the actor tells E! Online that he "is taking it (the offer) very seriously.He's working with his people to figure out exactly how to respond". Though still best known for his pop-chart domination in the early 2000's, Justin has made a successful foray into acting and was praised for his performance as Napster co-founder Sean Parker in David Fincher's The Social Network. After a quirky turn opposite Mila Kunis in 'Friends with Benefits', he became a leading man in the thriller 'In Time'. Rocketman already appears to have the hallmarks of an awards magnet - it is written by Oscar-winner Lee Hall (Billy Elliot), reportedly features cinematography similar to that of Moulin Rouge! and has a blistering plot - a gay superstar who dabbled in drugs and spent time in rehab.
It seems the only problem with Timberlake taking the role is his ever-expanding filming schedule. After impressing with his recent movies, the actor caught the eye of the Coen Brothers and has been offered the role of Greenwich Village folk singer Dave Van Ronk in their next flick. He will also play a record label honcho in Spinning Gold.