As we previously mentioned in our "15 Upcoming Music Biopics We Can't Wait to Watch" list, Baz Luhrmann has been working on a biopic for the King of Rock & Roll. Titled Elvis, the first trailer for the film was released yesterday (February 17). It stars Austin Butler as Presley and Tom Hanks as his infamous manager, Colonel Tom Parker.
The film will dive into Presley's life story: from his humble beginnings in Memphis to his rise as a hip-thrusting icon. Elvis promises to be a summer blockbuster, hitting North American theaters on Friday, June 24.
According to Vogue, Austin Butler (known for his role as "Tex" in Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time...In Hollywood) beat out several star names to score the role of Presley - including Ansel Elgort, Miles Teller, and even Harry Styles. Baz Luhrmann will reportedly use the “Jailhouse Rock” singer’s career to trace the “evolving cultural landscape” and “loss of innocence” in the United States over the course of his 21 years in the spotlight.
There will be cameos from plenty of other musicians, too: including B.B. King (played by Kelvin Harrison Jr.) and Little Richard (played by Alton Mason). Australian newcomer Olivia DeJonge will be playing Elvis' wife, Priscilla.
Elvis is also notable when it comes to the COVID-19 pandemic. In March 2020, Tom Hanks announced he had contracted the novel coronavirus while filming the movie in Australia. At the time, Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson became the highest profile figures to announce they had been diagnosed with COVID-19: a notable moment as the world was still learning about the virus.
Watch the Elvis trailer below.
Check out our selection of free stations streaming Elvis Presley music at Live365.com.
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Article Image: Still of Austin Butler playing Elvis Presley - singing in front of a band - in Baz Luhrmann's new "Elvis" trailer. (Warner Bros. Pictures via YouTube.)
