Film Facts: 5 Things to Know About Baz Luhrmann’s ‘Elvis’

Visionary director Baz Luhrmann is returning to the big screen to give us a cinematic take on the life and music of Elvis Presley with ‘Elvis.’

Starring Austin Butler and Oscar winner Tom Hanks, ‘Elvis’ is an exploration of the life and music of the King of Rock and Roll (played by Austin Butler), through the complex relationship he had with his manager Colonel Tom Parker (played by Tom Hanks). The film will highlight over two decades of Elvis’ life, his rise to fame, and feature significant people in his life.

If you’re planning to see this movie on the big screen, here are some fun facts about ‘Elvis’ that you might be interested to learn before it opens in cinemas!

1. Many notable actors auditioned for the role of Elvis Presley, but the role was ultimately given to Austin Butler

According to this article, among the actors gunning for the role of Elvis back in 2019 were Ansel Elgort (West Side Story), Miles Teller (Top Gun: Maverick), and Harry Styles (Dunkirk). All of them, including Austin Butler, auditioned and tested for the role of Elvis Presley. 

2. Denzel Washington actually played an important role in Butler’s casting

The Oscar-wining actor co-starred with Austin Butler in The Iceman Cometh, a 2018 Broadway revival of the play. According to several articles, Denzel Washington was impressed with Butler’s work ethic, and he himself called director Baz Lurhmann to praise the actor.

3. This is Baz Luhrmann’s sixth feature film

After almost a decade since ‘The Great Gatsby,’ the visionary director is back at it again with ’Elvis.’ Known for his theatrical, glamorous style and impressive movie soundtracks, the Australian director was onboarding on the ambitious Elvis Presley biopic back in 2014 but it was only in 2019 when it had a more solid footing, after announcing Tom Hanks was cast as Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis’ manager.

4. ‘Elvis’ premiered at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival and received a 12-minute standing ovation

It was unanimous – the critics and audiences alike were nothing but praises for Austin Butler’s performance (we have Denzel Washington to thank for that!). In addition, review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes has rated it fresh, garnering 80% on the Tomatometer.

ALSO READ:
‘Elvis’ Gets 12-Minute Standing Ovation at Cannes

5. The musical biopic has also the gotten the seal approval from Elvis Presley’s daughter, Priscilla

In her Facebook post, Priscilla Presley shares that the film ‘is a true story told brilliantly and creatively that only Baz, in his unique artistic way, could have delivered.’ She also praises Austin Butler’s outstanding performance as Elvis. 

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Elvis opens in theaters across the Philippines on June 22, 2022.