Elvis directed by Baz Luhrmann is set to release on June 24, 2022 and will showcase the course of Elvis Presley’s life. 

Dubbed the “King of Rock and Roll”, Elvis Presley was a one-of-a-kind musical icon known for his bold stage presence and classic blues and soul songs. Presley was born in Tupelo, MS and grew up around gospel music and blues, which later impacted his style of music. Presley found his voice when he was in the first grade and entered into a singing concert. Later in his teenage years, he moved to Memphis, TN and there recorded sample songs at Sun Records studio. Presley then signed a record deal with Colonel Tom Parker, his manager, and in 1956 his first hit song “Heartbreak Hotel” was released and became the #1 song in the United States. The rest was history as Presley went on with creating classic songs such as Suspicious Minds, Can’t Help Falling in Love, and Jailhouse Rock. 

Surprisingly, there has not yet been a film on Presley’s life until now. Kicking off the film will be Presley’s childhood and the surprising start of his fame with music. The film will show Presley’s lifelong process of becoming a star all around the world with musical hits and starring in movies. His strong relationship with his mother, Gladys Presley, played by Maggie Gyllenhaal, will be demonstrated throughout the film, along with other close relationships such as his wife, Priscilla Presley, played by Olivia DeJonge.  

The film will be similar to Walk the Line (2005), a film based on the true story of Johnny Cash’s upbringing. Presley will be played by Austin Butler accompanied by Tom Hanks who will play Presley’s music manager Colonel Tom Parker. 

Previous to being casted as Presley in Elvis, Butler has played the role of Tex Watson, one of the members in Charles Manson’s cult, in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019). Contrasting from his role in the soon-to-be released Elvis, Butler did not have much screen time in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Butler has also starred in Zoey 101 and Switched at Birth. Butler feels that taking on the role of Presley were “huge shoes to fill,” according to USA Today. This is his first “big break” and the biggest role of his career so far.

Butler’s appearance had a huge influence on casting with his similar facial structure and features to the real Presley. Contrastingly, Hanks will have an unrecognizable appearance made from prosthetics and makeup to look akin to Parker. Butler is shown in the Elvis trailer performing just like Presley did on stage, curling his lip and moving his hips while the audience claps and cheers. 

Even though Presley became famous over sixty years ago, his impact on the world is still tremendous. Presley’s music transformed the adolescent generation of the 1950s and completely changed the music style and industry. Presley spread the rock and roll genre across the world and some of the most well-known stars of the time now, such as Shawn Mendes, Kacey Musgraves, and even Post Malone, were awed by Presley’s music and inspired them to become musicians according to the Graceland website. 

If you, too, have burning love for Elvis Presley, go out and watch Elvis in theaters starting Jun 24, 2022. The film will also be out on HBO Max shortly after its release.