Tom Hardy to play Elton John in biopic

British actor Tom Hardy, best known for playing the hulking villain Bane in "The Dark Knight Rises," will star as Elton John in the musical biopic "Rocketman," the film's producers announced Wednesday.

The film will be directed by Michael Gracey, with an original screenplay by Lee Hall.

The biopic follows the life of the child prodigy turned music legend, who has sold more than 300 million records. John will re-record many of his hits for the film.

Focus Features will distribute the movie, which is scheduled to start shooting in fall 2014.