Last year, Baz Luhrmann brought us the story of The King with ‘Elvis’, which focused mostly on his troubled relationship with manager Colonel Tom Parker (played there by Tom Hanks, with Austin Butler as Presley).
But what of the other main relationship in his life? That of wife Priscilla Presley? That story is one that Sofia Coppola is now looking to tell in ‘Priscilla’.
What’s the story of ‘Priscilla’?
(L to R) Jacob Elordi and Cailee Spaeny in ‘Priscilla.’ Credit: Philippe Le Sourd.
The new movie adapts Priscilla Presley’s 1985 memoir ‘Elvis & Me’.
When teenage Priscilla Beaulieu (Cailee Spaeny) meets Elvis Presley (Jacob Elordi) at a party, the man who is already a meteoric rock-and-roll superstar becomes someone entirely unexpected in private moments: a thrilling crush, an ally in loneliness, a gentle best friend.
Through Priscilla’s eyes, Sofia Coppola tells the unseen side of a great American myth in Elvis and Priscilla’s long courtship and turbulent marriage, from a German army base to his dream-world estate at Graceland.
And from the looks of the new trailer, she doesn’t shy away from the darker aspects of their union.
(L to R) Cailee Spaeny in ‘Priscilla.’ Credit: Sabrina Lantos.
‘Priscilla’ promises to be very different from ‘Elvis’, and not just because of its focus on a different side of his life. As opposed to the huge timespan, big budget and lavish costumes of Luhrmann’s effort, Coppola’s movie was shot in just 30 days in Toronto on a shoestring budget, the director joking that she considered raffling experiences with the cast to afford more production days.
It’ll follow Priscilla from her first meeting Elvis in 1959 at 14 to their four-year courtship, marriage and until their separation in 1972.
Who else is in ‘Priscilla’?
(L to R) Jacob Elordi and Cailee Spaeny in ‘Priscilla.’ Credit: Sabrina Lantos.
The cast also includes Dagmara Dominczyk, Ari Cohen, Tim Post, Lynne Griffin, Dan Beirme, Rodrigo Fernandez-Stoll, Dan Abramovici and Tim Dowler-Coltman.
Related Article: Austin Butler Talks Baz Luhrmann’s ‘Elvis’
Sofia Coppola talks ‘Priscilla’
(L to R) Cailee Spaeny in ‘Priscilla.’ Credit: Sabrina Lantos.
In a recent interview with The Financial Times, Coppola discussed her attraction to the source material:
“I had looked at Elvis and Me maybe 10 years ago. But, on reading it again, it spoke to me. All those stages of transition, from girlhood to adult womanhood. I felt it was relatable.”
And she also knows who her target audience is:
“Priscilla’s manager said, ‘The Elvis fans are not going to like certain things.’ I said, ‘I’m not making it for them’”
As for the real-life person who inspired the film with her book? It appears Priscilla is happy with how it turned out.
She tells The Hollywood Reporter:
“When I saw the movie, I tried to separate myself and live it as if I was just a fan or just someone that’s wanting to see the movie. At the end, I actually, I was quite emotional. Only being 14. You look back and you go, ‘Why me? Why am I here? Why am I driving in a limo, going through the gates of Graceland with Elvis?’”
When can I go and see ‘Priscilla’?
(L to R) Cailee Spaeny in ‘Priscilla.’ Credit: Sabrina Lantos.
‘Priscilla’ will be in theaters from November 3rd.
(L to R) Cailee Spaeny in ‘Priscilla.’ Credit: Sabrina Lantos.
(L to R) Cailee Spaeny in ‘Priscilla.’ Credit: Sabrina Lantos.
(L to R) Jacob Elordi and Cailee Spaeny in ‘Priscilla.’ Credit: Ken Woroner.
(L to R) Cailee Spaeny and Jacob Elordi in ‘Priscilla.’ Credit: Philippe Le Sourd.
(L to R) Jacob Elordi and Cailee Spaeny in ‘Priscilla.’ Credit: Ken Woroner.
(L to R) Cailee Spaeny in ‘Priscilla.’ Credit: Sabrina Lantos.
