Elton John fans can now get their first look at the pop-rock legend’s new documentary, Elton John: Never Too Late. With the film scheduled to get its television premiere on December 13 on Disney+, a trailer for the movie has debuted at the streaming service’s YouTube channel and social media pages.
Videos by American Songwriter
John also has posted a video of him introducing the promo on his own socials. As previously reported, Never Too Late follows Elton as he prepares to play the final North American concert of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour, at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles in November 2022. The documentary also features John reflecting on his triumphs and struggles during the earlier part of his career.
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The trailer features a variety of archival film clips, photos, and new footage of John, and well as commentary from the lauded singer/songwriter.
At the beginning of the video, a graphic appears that reads, “Between 1970 and 1975, Elton John released 13 albums … 7 of them reached #1.” An archival interview clip of John also is heard in which he comments, “I always believed if you have got enough ambition, you can make it anywhere.”
We then hear new commentary from Elton explaining, “When I was very young, my life was all-consumed by music. I just wanted to become a songwriter.”
The trailer then touches on John’s “meteoric rise to stardom,” as Elton notes, “We had hit after hit after hit after hit. The acclaim grew and the audiences grew.” The promo then offers a segment about Elton’s famous 1975 performances at Dodger Stadium at the height of his fame.
John Discusses His Issues
At this point, the tone shifts, as John explains the personal issues he was dealing with then.
“At that time, there was an emptiness within me,” he admits in new interview clip. “My soul had gone dark. I’d gone dark. I wasn’t a joy to be around. I didn’t have anything apart from my success, and my drugs.”
John also recalls a suicide attempt around that time, revealing, “I took a bunch of tablets. I thought I was gonna drown. I felt there must be something more to my life than this.”
The trailer also includes a segment in which Elton explains his difficulty coming to terms with his sexuality.
“I was still very naïve. I didn’t know I was gay,” he says. “If people were gay, they were in the closet.”
John added, “I was desperately wanting happiness, and going completely the wrong way about it. It made me realize family was more important than anything.”
During this section of the video, graphics appear that read, “He risked it all to find himself.”
The Trailer Ends on a Positive Note
In another archival voice-over, John comments, “I got to the point in my life where I have to do what is honest.”
As the trailer nears its end, clips and photos of John in happier moments are shown, including footage of him kissing the forehead of one of his sons when he was a baby and preparing for his 2022 show at Dodger Stadium.
More About the Documentary
Elton John: Never Too Late got its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 6. Prior to its TV debut, the movie also will have a limited run in U.S. and U.K. theaters starting on November 15.
Never Too Late was co-directed by R.J. Cutler and John’s husband, David Furnish. The doc features one brand-new song from Elton.
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