‘Elvis’ Features Palisadian Tom Hanks

By LILY TINOCO | Reporter

Rock ’n’ roll is hitting theaters: Palisadian Tom Hanks can be seen in Baz Luhrmann’s “Elvis,” a long-awaited biopic on the late Elvis Presley.

Luhrmann first announced the project in 2014 and debuted “Elvis” during the Cannes Film Festival on May 24. Luhrmann previously opened the festival in 2001 with “Moulin Rouge!” and 2013 with “The Great Gatsby.”

Luhrmann opened up recently about the making of the film, and revealed that a major part of the process was finding the right match to take on the starring role as Presley. Instead of traditional auditions, he said he hosted “rich workshops.”

Austin Butler ultimately beat out contenders Ansel Elgort, Miles Teller and Harry Styles, according to Deadline.

“Harry is a really talented actor, I would work on something with him … but the real issue with Harry is, he’s Harry Styles,” Luhrmann said to the Fitzy & Wippa podcast on Monday, June 6. “He’s already an icon.”

Hanks was cast as Presley’s longtime manager, Colonel Thomas Andrew Parker. He is joined by Olivia DeJonge as Priscilla Presley, and Kelvin Harrison, Alton Mason, Hank Snow, Jimmie Rodgers and Maggie Gyllenhaal.

Luhrmann wrote the script with Craig Pearce, and the film is set to cover the relationship between “the veteran manager and the young singer, who came from dirt-poor origins to become an iconic star who changed the course of music,” according to Deadline. “Parker was reputed to have taken half of Presley’s earnings for himself, in exchange for building him.”

Hanks was featured on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” on Thursday, June 16, to speak about the film.

“You get a real—different sort of vision of what Elvis meant … because he turned Las Vegas into a place worthy of superstars to go in there,” he said.

“Elvis” will also feature a studded soundtrack lineup, featuring original music from Doja Cat, Denzel Curry, Kacey Musgraves, Eminem and more.

The film will hit theaters on Friday, June 24. “Elvis” will also be available for streaming on HBO Max for 45 days after its theatrical release.