Miles Teller, Ansel Elgort and Harry Styles are all said to be in with a chance of playing the role of Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann’s biopic on the King of Rock n’ Roll.
‘Once Upon A Tim in Hollywood’ actor, Austin Butler is also in the running for the role in the film which is currently untitled. It will focus on Presley’s relationship with his famed manager Colonel Tom Parker.
It has been reported that Luhrmann tested the actors last weekend with expects to make a decision by next week.
Luhrmann will direct from a script he co-wrote with Craig Pearce. Tom Hanks is also currently in talks to play Elvis’ manager, Colonel Tom Parker.
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Nicknamed the Carni, Parker became the Dutch-born manager of Elvis after spotting his talent whilst still virtually unknown. From his carnival background, Parker moved into music promotion, earning the courtesy rank of ‘Colonel’ from a grateful singer Jimmie Davis. Parker skillfully manoeuvred himself into position as Elvis’s sole representative with control over much of his private life. Within months, he had won Presley a recording contract with the prestigious RCA Victor record label, made him a star with his first single Heartbreak Hotel, negotiated lucrative merchandising deals, made plans for TV appearances as well as a new career as an actor in film musicals. He basically owned Presley.
Teller will next be seen in ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ alongside Tom Cruise, Whilst Butler has Tarantino’s ‘Once Upon A Time in Hollywood’ and ‘The Dead Don’t Die’ lined up for this year.
