You could say some people are going to be…ahem…all shook up with this news.
It appears as though director Baz Luhrmann (ROMEO + JULIET, AUSTRALIA) has finally found the right queen to partner with the King of Rock n' Roll in his upcoming Elvis Presley film. The Australian director has cast Olivia DeJonge (THE VISIT) as Priscilla Presley (nee Wagner) Elvis' wife.
Elvis and Priscilla had quite a…unique…relationship dynamic. The two met in 1959 and despite their difference in age (Elvis was twenty-four at the time while Priscilla was fourteen), the two began a courtship that lasted almost eight years until the couple married in 1967. They divorced in 1973 and the union produced one child, musician Lisa Marie. Presley would go on to a successful acting career in films like THE NAKED GUN and a role on the long running television show Dallas.
DeJonge will join Austin Butler (ONCE UPON A TIME…IN HOLLYWOOD), who takes on the lead role. Oscar winner Tom Hanks will also play Elvis' manager Colonel Tom Parker. The film "will delve into their complex dynamic 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."
Luhrman certainly has an eye for spotting young talent and had extremely high praise for DeJonge stating, “Olivia is capable of manifesting the complex depth and presence that has made Priscilla Presley an icon in her own right. She’s an extremely talented young actor and the perfect counterpoint to Austin’s Elvis.” DeJonge has certainly made a name for herself over the last few years starring in such films as SCARE CAMPAIGN and this year's STRAY DOLLS. You can also catch her on the television show The Society which is currently streaming on Netflix.
The as of yet untitled project will mark Luhrman's first film since 2013's THE GREAT GATSBY starring Leonardo DiCaprio. There's no current release date for the project but production is set to kick off in Queensland, Australia in early 2020.