Former One Direction band member and budding actor Harry Styles was considered for the role of Elvis Presley. Styles was reportedly courted for the role because of his singing ability and experience in the music industry. Ironically, it was also his status as a pop icon that ultimately cost him the role.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the production is eyeing Ansel Elgort, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Austin Butler, Miles Teller, and Harry Styles to portray Elvis Presley. All five men have reportedly tested for the role, with Teller having shown Luhrmann his take on Elvis as early as last week.
But after the couple's split, Elvis went on to form a relationship with beauty pageant winner and model/actor Linda Thompson. They were together for around four and bit years, but their relationship wasn't to be seen in the movie. Thompson has since said she felt "erased" from Elvis' history after seeing the biopic.
The film has been supported by both his ex-wife, Priscilla Presley, and their daughter, Lisa Marie Presley. Both Elvis Presley's children, Lisa Marie and Priscilla, have praised the film.
Lisa Marie, Elvis's only daughter, has now seen the Baz Luhrmann film twice, and like her mother Priscilla Presley, she enthusiastically approves.
“I do want to take a moment to let you know that I have seen Baz Luhrmann's movie 'Elvis' twice now, and let me tell you that it is nothing short of spectacular,” she wrote. “Absolutely exquisite.
Parker picks it up off the table, it reads "Elvis Presley remains in residence." When he drops it backstage, it reads "as long as Elvis Presley remains in residence." The words "as long as" weren't there the first time.
The Colonel himself ended up being the greatest sucker of them all, giving back almost his entire fortune to the Hilton croupiers.
Thankfully that famous footage came through and we were able to use it, and that's the real Elvis. It's so interesting that a lot of people don't realize we cut to the real Elvis because it punches me in the heart every time I see that scene and you see Elvis' face.”
Seems like a lot considering he “only” got paid $700,000 for his most famous role—but this could have something to do with the fact that he's starring in the upcoming Dune 2 and presumably commanded a pretty high post-Elvis paycheck. Either way, expect Austin to stay humble.
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958)
Parker apparently refused the role on Elvis's behalf and it went to Paul Newman instead.
At least, it is for director Baz Luhrmann. While sitting down with Australia's Fitzy & Wippa radio show recently, Luhrmann revealed that he considered Styles for the role of the King in his new film Elvis, but ultimately felt that the former One Direction heartthrob's superstardom would work against the storytelling.
In a May 2022 interview with Entertainment Weekly, Luhrmann, 60, said that Washington cold-called him shortly after he first encountered a video of Butler performing a cover of Presley's "Unchained Melody." "He found me," the director said when asked why Butler proved to be right actor to play the rock n' roll icon.
Presley Did Not Fire Parker on Stage
Presley never fired Parker publicly, but he did have an on-stage meltdown at a Vegas show over the firing of a kitchen employee he liked.
Warner Bros. The short answer: If you watch Elvis, that is Austin's real singing voice. Director Baz Luhrmann confirmed this details in June, when he posted a video from the actor's 2019 screen test just a few days after his version of "Trouble" premiered online.
Yes, Colonel Tom Parker did go to Elvis' funeral.
The case was settled out of court in 1983, and in exchange for $2 million, Parker had to relinquish all video and audio recordings of Presley and give up his earnings on all Presley-related materials for the next five years. The sale of his catalog was the final nail in the coffin of Presley and Parker's relationship.
On Elvis Presley's first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, then one of the most popular shows on television, he was shown only from the waist up. His “gyrations” were considered too sexual for a family television audience.
After a lifetime that saw him earn in excess of $100 million, Parker's estate was worth barely $1 million when he died.
“He was not a U.S. citizen,” explains Nash. “His name was Andreas Cornelius Van Kuijk. He was from Breda, Netherlands.” The Colonel left Europe under a cloud of suspicion involving an unsolved murder, slipped into the U.S. illegally and learned how to hustle while traveling with carnivals and circuses.
Austin Butler Reacts To Lisa Marie Presley's Death: “My Heart Is Completely Shattered" “Her warmth, her love, and her authenticity will always be remembered."
Although they certainly had a raucous time together out in the world, Elvis ensured he maximised his quality time alongside his beloved daughter. "They had their father-daughter private times, he would play with her and they talked," Danny remembers from his time at Graceland. "He loved when he had Lisa."
'My heart is completely shattered for Riley, Finley, Harper and Priscilla at the tragic and unexpected loss of Lisa Marie,' Butler said. 'I am eternally grateful for the time I was lucky enough to be near her bright light and will forever cherish the quiet moments we shared.