Baz Luhrmann’s ‘Elvis’ Trailer Explores More than a Musical Icon

By Sam Mangioni - News Published: 18 Feb 2022, Last Updated: 9 May 2023

Australia’s visionary filmmaker Baz Luhrmann has spent three years examining the extraordinary life of Elvis Presley. And today, the first official trailer for his highly anticipated biopic Elvis has been released to the world, showcasing his signature striking style. Covering arguably one of the greatest entertainers of all time, Luhrmann admits he was a fan, but his motive for telling this story reaches far beyond The King.

You’ll also love:
Teaser for Ana de Armas’ and Ben Affleck’s Erotic Thriller ‘Deep Water’ is an Absolute… Tease
Yellowstone Season 5: Here’s What You Need to Know
Watch Netflix’s Ultra-Violent First ‘Vikings: Valhalla’ Teaser

Image: Warner Bros. Pictures

“The great storytellers like Shakespeare, they didn’t really do biographies,” Luhrmann said via Zoom from Los Angeles. “They used a life as a canvas to explore a larger idea …” “Something like Amadeus, for example, it’s not really about Mozart. It’s about jealousy.”

The iconic singer’s career coincided with a period of significant social change. What the Moulin Rouge and The Great Gatsby director wanted to do with Austin Butler playing Presley and Hanks as his enigmatic manager, Colonel Tom Parker, was tell a story about American history that pivots around Elvis during the civil rights movement.

“The life of Elvis Presley could not be a better canvas in which to explore America in the ’50s, the ′60s and the ’70s,” he noted. “That 42 years is three great lives put into a short period of time.”

Warner Bros. Pictures released a statement outlining the framework of the film’s narrative: “The film explores the life and music of Elvis Presley (Butler), seen through the prism of his complicated relationship with his enigmatic manager, Colonel Tom Parker (Hanks). The story delves into the complex dynamic between Presley and Parker spanning over 20 years, from Presley’s rise to fame to his unprecedented stardom, against the backdrop of the evolving cultural landscape and loss of innocence in America. Central to that journey is one of the most significant and influential people in Elvis’s life, Priscilla Presley (Olivia DeJonge).”

Elvis will be released in Australian cinemas on June 23, 2022.

Sam Mangioni

Sam Mangioni is an experienced content producer and the current Entertainment, Culture & Lifestyle Journalist for Man of Many. With an extensive background in digital content production and news, Sam specialises in delivering timely, accurate and witty assessments of current events. Prior to working for Man of Many, Sam spent three years at Southern Cross Austereo where he served as a Content Producer and News Reporter for the flagship Triple M Breakfast Program. The Sydney-based reporter completed a Bachelor of Commerce from Macquarie University Majoring in Marketing in 2014. Sam's work has also featured in Fight News Australia.

View all