Boxoffice - May 2019

such a high point in his four-decade-plus
career. “I said to [Paramount Motion
Pictures Group president] Wyck Godfrey
in an email today that it’s felt like my
whole career has sort of led me to this
point, one way or another. That’s a good
feeling to have, because I know that
means that no matter what happens with
the film, I’m proud of it and I feel that
I’ve given my all to be here, from Bugsy
Malone at nine years old, working with
Alan Parker and watching him and being
a great fan of his and all the incredible
films that he’s made. And then working
with Derek Jarman on Caravaggio,
this great artist and auteur filmmaker,
or David Lynch, who’s this incredible
visionary. And Stephen Frears, who’s
an incredible actor’s director. And these
stops along the way—Ken Russell, Hugh
Hudson, David Puttnam, and these incredible
mavericks. John Hurt. I have to
go back and take stock of that, because
at the time I don’t think I fully appreciated
it. It’s only now in hindsight, I say:
This is part of who I am, that’s part of
my heritage. I’m very fortunate [with]
people who have been massive influences
on me and that I know that I draw on.
Bob Hoskins as well. Massive and an
incredible, incredible actor. And Alan
Rickman, a great, dear friend. These
people who gave so much to me. What
I feel I learned from these people the
most, and it’s something that you see in
Elton, is that they recognize in others
when there’s something really great.
Like Taron. Taron is an incredible talent
that you can go: How do I support
that? How do I help that person elevate
themselves to the greatest that I think
they could be? That’s one of the greatest
things you can do. And I’ve tried to
apply that to everyone who I work with
in all departments. I’m very lucky.”
MAY 2019
93