The first trailer for the highly anticipated Elvis bio pic has arrived, featuring Austin Butler who portrays the iconic musician.
Prior to the trailer’s release, Butler and filmmaker Baz Luhrmann discussed their work on the intense biographical musical during a virtual press conference. The director made it abundantly clear that the film would only be a theatrical release and that the Warner Bros. picture will explore Elvis Presley’s life in three sections, calling the king of rock ‘n’ roll’s tale a “great canvas to explore America.”
Taking more than two years to make due to the pandemic, the film’s co-star Tom Hanks made international headlines in March 2020 when he became one of the first major stars to announce they had contracted coronavirus during the Elvis production. The Oscar winning actor portrays the infamous Colonel Tom Parker, Presley’s manager and the trailer opens with Parker saying some will see him as the villain of the story.
Candid about the Herculean task of playing the music legend, who died prematurely in 1977 at the age of 42, Austin said “When I began the process, I set out to get my voice to be identical. That instills fear. So that got the fire burning.” “For a year before we started shooting, I was doing voice coaching.” “I watched as much as I could, over and over,” added Butler about studying the abundance of Presley’s films and concerts. “I feel such a responsibility to Elvis and to [ex-wife] Priscilla and [daughter] Lisa Marie, and all the people around the world who love him so much.”
About the film’s soundtrack, Baz Luhrmann confirmed that the film features Butler’s voice for young Elvis and a blend of Butler and tapes of Presley for midlife Elvis.
Elvis arrives in theaters June 24.
Keep up with the latest trending music news by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Author: Saul Goode
Photo: Uncredited