Baz Luhrmann, writer and director of 1996’sRomeo + Julietand 2001’sMoulin Rouge, has released a short teaser for his latest project, a biopic ofElvis Presley. The 15-second teaser offers viewers a small example of the aesthetic of the film andArrowstar Austin Butler’s spot-on impression of the iconic Rocker’s voice.Luhrmann’s Elvis biopic, to be released byWarner Bros.in June 2022, has reportedly been in the works since 2014 but really gained steam in mid-2019 with the casting of Butler as Presley and Tom Hanks as Colonel Tom Parker, the man who discovered him. Butler’s portrayal of the iconic rock star earned him the role over some heavyweight talent that included One Direction’s Harry Styles and Ansel Elgort, who recently portrayed Tony inSteven Spielberg’s 2021 adaptation ofWest Side Story. The newly releasedElvisteaser showcases two of the reasons why Butler was the correct choice to fill the shoes of the icon.RELATED:Tom Hanks Reveals His 3 Favorite Movies He’s Worked OnYesterday, Luhrmann took to Twitter to share a brief 15-second teaser of his untitled Elvis project that presents Butler performing recognizable gyrations of the deceased rocker in a pink suit and white sequined outfits that The King made famous. A voiceover of Butler, accompanied by a haunting version of “Suspicious Minds,” also allows viewers a chance to hear the young actor’s take on the voice of Elvis as he tells the audience he knows he has to enjoy the fame while it lasts because he knows it “could all be over in a flash.” This hints that the film will most likely touch on the tragic end of Presley’s life and career in 1977. Along with the teaser, Luhrmann promised a trailer will be released this Thursday that he believes will “TCB,” or take care of business, which was the name of Presley’s band and a personal motto of the late singer.
Two of Luhrmann’s popular films,Romeo + JulietandMoulin Rogue, show the director is quite capable of handling drama, tragedy,and musical performances. The glimpses Luhrmann has shown so far of Butler’s performance, and the subtle hints of the tragic story the film will explore, are enough reasons to come back Thursday to see what else the upcoming project has to offer.
Elvisis scheduled to be released in theaters on June 28, 2025.
