Baz Luhrmann In Talks For Elvis Presley Movie

If you’ve ever caught yourself saying “I love Elvis Presley, but boy do I wish his life and legacy had been even more gaudy and over-the-top opulent”, then you might just be in luck. The Wrap reports that The Great Gatsby director Baz Luhrmann is in talks to direct a biopic based on The King himself.

Fifty Shades Of Grey screenwriter Kelly Marcel is reportedly hard at work on a script for the film, which is an all-new story, not based on any pre-existing biographies of Presley. If the film goes ahead, Luhrmann’s wife and frequent collaborator Catherine Martin will likely sign on as costume designer/head rhinestone wrangler.

Okay, so in fairness to Baz Luhrmann, this project actually does seem like a match made in kitsch heaven. Baz is passionate about music, and Elvis has loads of it. Australia was a gigantic, unflushable turd, and The King died while trying to pass something very similar. Hey, these guys could actually be perfect together!

This being a Baz Luhrmann joint, we’re assuming that the film will open with the birth of baby Elvis Aron Presley, flanked by red velvet curtains and a choir of CGI angels singing ‘Burning Love’, and then get even more ridiculous from there. There are no casting rumours as yet, but as we speak, Leonardo DiCaprio is probably being fitted for an Elvis wig and singing ‘Hound Dog’ into a hairbrush.

via The Wrap
Photo: Lisa Maree Williams via Getty Images

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