Priscilla Presley, the ex-wife of pop culture icon Elvis Presley, gives her take on the new Baz Luhrmann helmed biopic Elvis, giving it high marks for capturing the singer's look and feel. The film is set to star Austin Butler as Elvis, with Tom Hanks as his controversial manager Colonel Parker. The film made headlines in March 2020 when Hanks became one of the first public figures to contract COVID-19 while he was shooting his part.
Elvis will take a look at the singer's early career and journey to becoming the biggest rock and roll star of his time, as well as his complex relationship with Colonel Parker, who shaped his professional and personal life. It's been confirmed that Butler will provide his own vocals in Elvis, with a mix of recordings from Elvis himself to portray him in his later years. Along with Butler and Hanks, the film will have a large cast to portray the many public figures that surrounded Elvis throughout his life.
In a post on Facebook, Priscilla Presley writes that she saw the film in a special advanced screening alongside longtime Elvis associate Jerry Schilling. She reports that Butler did a brilliant job of portraying Elvis and also praises Luhrmann for all the work he put into making the film happen. She also says the movie will shed a bit more life on the complicated life that Elvis lived. Read her quote below:
For those curious about the new film ELVIS, Baz Luhrmann, the director, provided a private screening for me and Jerry Schilling at Warner studios recently. This story is about Elvis and Colonel Parker’s relationship. It is a true story told brilliantly and creatively that only Baz, in his unique artistic way, could have delivered. Austin Butler, who played Elvis is outstanding. Halfway through the film Jerry and I looked at each other and said WOW!!! Bravo to him…he knew he had big shoes to fill. He was extremely nervous playing this part. I can only imagine. Tom Hanks was Col Parker in this film. What a character he was. There was two sides to Colonel, Jerry and I witnessed both. The story, as we all know, does not have a happy ending. But I think you will understand a little bit more of Elvis’ journey, penned by a directer who put his heart and soul and many hours into this film.
With the release of Elvis approaching, it's good news for those who enjoy Luhrmann's work that he was able to pull off his most ambitious project yet. Based on Priscilla Presley's reaction, it sounds like the film's unique artistic design could've only been achieved through Luhrmann's vision. Elvis was in pre-production as early as 2014, with filming not beginning until 2020, suggesting the long gestation period has benefited the film, allowing Luhrmann to get all the details right.
Luhrmann hasn't made a movie since 2013's The Great Gatsby, which was popular with audiences but failed to capture the nuances of F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel. In the years since he's put his energy into Elvis, and if Priscilla Presley's recommendation is a precursor, it'll be a return to form for the showmanship-focused director. Though it's impossible to capture the complexities of any public figure with just one movie, Elvis is set to be a historically accurate representation of the icon, approved by one of the people who knew him best.
Source: Priscilla Presley/Facebook
