Baz Luhrmann's Elvis Presley biopic just got a lot closer to finding its star: several of Hollywood's biggest names have auditioned for the role. The news comes during a surge in music biopics. Bohemian Rhapsody, which focused on Freddie Mercury, came out last year. Meanwhile, Rocketman, based on the life of Elton John, hit theaters in May. Both films were well-received, with Bohemian Rhapsody scoring a Best Picture nomination and Rocketman being praised for its authenticity. Bohemian Rhapsody's success also came despite allegations against the film's original director, Bryan Singer, who was let go partway into production.
News of the Elvis biopic first emerged in 2014, when it was revealed that Luhrmann was in talks to direct the untitled film. Several years passed without an update, until Tom Hanks was cast as Presley's manager, Colonel Tom Parker, earlier this year. Parker discovered Presley and is largely credited with making him a star. The film will focus on the relationship between the two. When Hanks was cast, it was also revealed that a budget for the biopic was still being figured out and that Luhrmann was looking to begin production this year.
Per Deadline, many actors are in contention to star opposite Hanks including Elgort (The Fault in Our Stars) and Styles (Dunkirk, One Direction). Additionally, Miles Teller (Whiplash), and the lesser-known Austin Butler (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood) are both in the mix. Auditions were filmed last weekend, and Luhrmann will make his choice by next week. All of the actors can sing, though Styles is the only one better known for that than acting. Of the four, Teller and Elgort have the most experience in musical films, with Teller receiving praise for his performance in Whiplash and Elgort about to star in West Side Story, which is out next year.
In the past, actors such as Kurt Russell and Jonathan Rhys Meyers have taken on the iconic role. Russell portrayed Presley in a 1979 made-for-TV film that earned him an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or a Special. Meyers played him more recently, in a 2005 mini-series for CBS. That project was also well-received, with Meyers picking up a Golden Globe for his performance. Presley was also the focus of a short-lived TV series back in 1990, but surprisingly, no feature films have been made about his life.
It makes sense that so many actors want the iconic part. Not only is it a chance to tread new ground as an artist, it also could very well spell Oscars gold. The combination of Luhrmann, Hanks, and the subject matter make it the kind of buzzy project that usually does well during awards season. The actors in contention also have to be thinking of Rami Malek's Best Actor win at this year's Oscars, which proves that voters respect strong performances in musical biopics. Plus, musical films in general have done very well on the awards circuit in the last few years, with La La Land and A Star is Born racking up nominations. The role of Elvis Presley could be just the thing to win one of these actors Hollywood's biggest prize.
Source: Deadline