Baz Luhrmann‘s films have always embraced music in a very unique way. Like Quentin Tarantino, Luhrmann’s films have a tendency to be anachronistic to the visuals on screen but they always seem to work. Whether it be a modern setting for ROMEO + JULIET, the jukebox tunes for MOULIN ROUGE, or the modern tunes in THE GREAT GATSBY, Luhrmann has pulled from all genres to make his films. But, what would happen if he told the story of one specific musical artist and had access to their music to boot?
We may find out as The Wrap says Luhrmann is in negotiations to helm Warner Bros biopic of Elvis Presley. The film will be an original screenplay by Kelly Marcel (FIFTY SHADES OF GREY) and not be based on existing books on The King. It is unknown if it will follow a specific period in the life of the rock and roll superstar or tell his entire story from birth to death.
Elvis has been the subject of several movies and television films that have starred Jonathan Rhys-Meyers and Kurt Russell, but this project may be the biggest project to date. Luhrmann would definitely embrace Elvis’ showmanship and stage his songs in an original manner, but it remains to be seen if this will get made. Luhrmann is also linked with a big screen version of the TV series KUNG FU and an HBO mini-series based on Stanley Kubrick‘s unproduced NAPOLEON. Hopefully we get to see all three.