Tom Hanks wants a piece of that jailhouse rock action, ‘The Post’ actor has entered into negotiations to take on the role of Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis Presley’s infamous manager in Baz Luhrmann’s next picture.
Luhrmann will direct from a script he co-wrote with Craig Pearce.
Knicknamed 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.
Luhrmann is reportedly keen that a star plays the part of Parker but for the role of Elvis, he is looking to cast a fresh face. A budget is yet to be set for the picture in which Luhrmann hopes to get off the ground this year.
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Hanks has played real-life roles in the past, the last being Ben Bradlee in Steven Spielberg’s ‘The Post’, previously he had played the roles of Chesley Sullenberger in ‘Sully: Miracle on the Hudson’ and Walt Disney in ‘Saving Mr. Banks’. Hanks next appears in Toy Story 4 in which he reprises his voice role of Woody. He also has ‘Greyhound’ and the Fred Rogers film ‘A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood coming up.
