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28th Oct 2019
In a cinematic sphere currently filled with revisiting beloved movies from the film archives, it seems Hollywood has made a brief break from rebooting film classics and uncovered a way to play on our nostalgia-loving hearts with a tried, tested and true movie format: the biopic
Its latest offering? A biographical film which follows the decade-spanning career of the late ‘King of Rock and Roll’, Elvis Presley, helmed by Australian writer and director, Baz Luhrmann.
And, considering the director’s penchant for lavish productions, over-the-top and opulent set design and love of heightened reality—paired with his partnering with The Great Gatsby and Moulin Rouge’s Catherine Martin, who will serve as production and costume designer—the soon-to-be-released film is sure to be a life-to-screen adaptation for the ages.
With the film still in its early stages, having yet to receive a title other than the Untitled Elvis Presley Project, there is still much to learn about the biopic. But, here’s what we know about Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis Presley biopic so far—including the plot, the cast and the release date.
As detailed by The Hollywood Reporter, the plot has been described by the film’s production company, Warner Bros., as one that will “delve into the complex dynamic spanning over 20 years, from Presley’s rise to fame to his unprecedented stardom, against the backdrop of the evolving cultural landscape and the loss of innocence in America.”
Expect to follow Presley’s rise to fame from the age of 13—when he first entered the music industry—to his partnership with longtime manager Colonel Tom Parker, his debut film Love Me Tender, his drafting into the military, his iconic marriage to Priscilla Presley, all the way to his crowning as the ‘King of Rock and Roll’.
There was much public debate around who would fill the shoes of one of the world’s most memorable music figures, with many favouring fellow musician Harry Styles as the one to beat. Having filmed a test for the role of Presley, along with Ansel Elgort, Miles Teller and Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Luhrmann ultimately cast Once Upon A Time… In Hollywood’s Austin Butler, as reported by Deadline in July.
“I knew I couldn’t make this film if the casting wasn’t absolutely right, and we searched thoroughly for an actor with the ability to evoke the singular natural movement and vocal qualities of this peerless star, but also the inner vulnerability of the artist,” Luhrmann told the publication.
“Throughout the casting process, it was an honour for me to encounter such a vast array of talent. I had heard about Austin Butler from his stand-out role opposite Denzel Washington in The Iceman Cometh on Broadway, and through a journey of extensive screen testing and music and performance workshops, I knew unequivocally that I had found someone who could embody the spirit of one of the world’s most iconic musical figures.”
Butler will star opposite Tom Hanks, who has been cast to play Presley’s manager, Colonel Tom Parker.
Just a few months after Luhrmann found his Presley and Parker, he cast his Priscilla, tapping Australian actress Olivia DeJonge for the role of the late singer’s wife, as reported by ET.
Currently starring as Elle Tomkins alongside fellow Australian actress Natasha Liu Bordizzo, Kathryn Newton and Kristine Froseth in the Netflix series, The Society, which sees a teen society forged out of the mysterious disappearance of their fellow wealthy townspeople, the 21-year-old actress’s fame is set to skyrocket even further following this iconic role.
“Olivia is capable of manifesting the complex depth and presence that has made Priscilla Presley an icon in her own right,” Luhrmann said of DeJonge, as reported by the publication. “She’s an extremely talented young actor and the perfect counterpoint to Austin’s Elvis.”
According to Deadline, filming will begin early next year in Queensland, with the biopic’s IMDB page noting that the casting process is still underway, and the film itself is currently in pre-production.
According to Variety, the currently untitled Elvis Presley project will be released in the United States on October 1, 2021. No word yet on if and when the film will hit Australian shores, but with multiple reports confirming international distribution, all we have to do is patiently wait.
As the film is still in the pre-production phase, a trailer has not been released just yet—but watch this space.