By Mr. Will Wong

After winning raves in Venice and a seal of approval from Priscilla Presley herself, Sofia Coppola‘s PRISCILLA arrives after much anticipation. The Toronto-made adaptation of Presley‘s Memoir Elvis and Me: The True Story of the Love Between Priscilla Presley and the King of Rock N’ Roll tells the story from her perspective from the thrills of love and fame to the loneliness of isolation.

We had the honour of sitting-in on a chat with visionary Writer/Director Coppola and star Cailee Spaeny who plays the Film’s iconic titular character.

Sofia Coppola is asked what drew her to adapting this Memoir, written some 40-plus years ago.

Coppola: “I was reading Priscilla Presley’s Memoir and I never expected to get so involved in it. I was really surprised because I realized how little I knew about her. I was just really moved by her story and connected to the way she described everything she went through from being a girl to an independent woman after such an unusual circumstance. I had no idea she was in high school living at Graceland. I felt her story said so much about women of my mother’s generation and what all girls go through, but in this really unique way. And I wanted to dive into that world of ’60s Graceland American folklore.”.

Cailee Spaeny talks about growing-up with Coppola’s work.

Spaeny: “I think the thing I found so shocking, I grew-up in an Elvis-loving family. We grew-up going to Graceland and he was very much a part of my childhood. I knew that Priscilla went with Elvis and I’ve seen the iconic photos, but I didn’t know her side of things. So it was an exciting story to dive into and tell because it’s long overdue to tell her side of the story. And the way that Sofia wrote the Script, it was so visual. You could really feel the environment you were in. And also growing-up with Sofia‘s films – the way that she taps into young female stories is so rare in a lot of films these days. She always finds a true depiction of young teenage girls. I was excited to tell the story that hadn’t been told before, but with this Filmmaker. I couldn’t imagine anyone else telling the story.”.

Coppola talks to now being able to tell a story like this at her current stage of life, being a mother to teens.

Coppola: “I was really happy to have access to Priscilla and her being open to re-living that era, and she talks about it in such vivid detail, and gave so much insight. Picking it up at this stage in my life, I felt that I’d had experience making films, so I had this feeling that I now know how to make this. You always figure it out as you go, it’s always a challenge. You never really know what you’re doing. The idea of finding one’s identity always appeals to me. I’m also at the point in my life where I’m the mother of teenage girls, so I could really see the story from both perspectives. How could her parents let her go live at Graceland? And also what tension that brought. I just felt that now I have a different perspective that now I could put more into the story in different levels.”.

Spaeny talks about aging Priscilla Presley from age 14 to 28 in this Film.

Spaeny: “It was one of the biggest challenges to take on, for those ages to feel true. You do everything you can to map out the choices you’re going to make to differentiate. We shot this in 30 days and we shot it out of order, so you were really trying to find things along the way to help anchor yourself. We had an amazing Costume, Hair and Makeup departments that did so much research and brought so much love into telling the story. That was really key in me grounding myself to those ages, and also where she was emotionally through this journey. I think in Sofia‘s movies, everyone just brings their A Game. She creates such a collaborative environment and has a calming presence which helps when you have a challenge like this to take on. I felt really lucky.”.

Coppola talks about her biggest challenge in making Priscilla.

Coppola: “It was a new challenge for me. I’ve never worked on someone’s story that was alive and would see the story. It was definitely something I kept in mind and how do I also make sure that it’s a story that Priscilla feels represents her experience. The biggest challenge was to take such a big part of someone’s life and boil it down to the essence to fit into the length of a movie. How do I do that to give the impression of everything she went through so that by the end you have a sense of what her experience was like?”.

Spaeny walks us though her preparation process.

Spaeny: “First step was reading the Book and reading the Script, really diving into that and writing-out the biggest questions that I had. Taking that time to meet Priscilla and go through that chapter of her life. I always wanted her to feel comfortable. I never wanted her to feel I was interviewing her, I wanted it to come out naturally. She would go into these specific memories she had with him and it was really special the detail that she would talk about. But also, just taking in the presence of this woman who’s lived this life. It was like her eyes would sparkle again talking about certain moments. She’d laugh at an inside joke they had and it was these nuggets of gold that helped me put this massive puzzle together. Especially the way that Sofia tells it in this impressionistic, memory type of way that it was really those flash and nuances that I really wanted to absorb when I was around her. She’s a really fascinating woman, really graceful and soft-spoken, with a fierceness about her and very protective.”.

“You do as much prep as you can but then you just have to trust yourself.”.

Both Spaeny and Coppola comment about Jacob Elordi, who plays Elvis in the Film.

Spaeny: “I was a fan of his work so I was interested what he was going to bring to the table. I messaged him right away when I found out that he had the role. We met a couple times and I wanted to get a sense of who he was and wanted us to feel comfortable around each other, because I knew once we started filming it was going to be crazy trying to shoot this in 30 days. I wanted to make sure we felt comfortable around each other. He had my back throughout the entire process and he did so much research. He’s so naturally charismatic and wears his heart out on his sleeve, so it was so nice for those parts of him to come through. He was an Actor I always felt I could trust every day going into a scene. I knew he was going to have an idea to bring to the table and know how to flip something on its head. A lot of this Movie I’m reacting off of him so it was so essential that I knew I could trust him. He is such a giving Actor, I felt really lucky and it was such a joy to watch what he did every day.”.

Coppola: “It was really important to go by the perspective that Priscilla does in the Book, showing him as a human because he’s such a godlike figure in our culture and she talks about what he was like, their vulnerabilties and what they were like behind closed doors. It was so interesting to ride the highs and lows she went through and show his incredible charm, his vulnerability and also this dark side he had, and show it as the complex relationship that it was. It was important that he was never villainized, that we saw him as a human, that he was struggling and understand her story through that.”.

Elevation Pictures release PRISCILLA in theatres November 3, 2023.

It’s another dominant weekend for THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER, taking $46.5 million from 4,375 theatres for Disney. Over two weekends, it has grossed $243 million across North America.

Second goes to MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU with $25.3 million from 4,111 theatres for Universal Pictures, a three week tally of $264 million.

Bowing in third is the Adaptation of WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING, with $16 million from 3,650 theatres for Sony Pictures. While Critics didn’t quite get it with 34% on Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer, moviegoers and fans are enjoying it with a A- CinemaScore.

TOP GUN: MAVERICK lands in fourth with $11.7 million for Paramount Pictures, bringing its run to a stellar $618 million domestically.

At the bottom of the Top Five is ELVIS with $7.6 million for Warner Bros., a total $107 million grossed to date in the continent.

THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER roars in its opening weekend, taking $135 million from 4,375 theatres for Disney. This fourth film in the Thor franchise gets 67% on the Tomatometer, which still didn’t deter Moviegoers from making this the fifth-highest opening of all time for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, top spot still belonging to Avengers: Endgame which debuted with $357 million in 2019.

Second spot goes to MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU, last weekend’s #1 Film, with $47.2 million from 4,426 theatres, a total $205 million over two weekends for Universal Pictures.

Third belongs to the ever-resilient TOP GUN: MAVERICK with $14.6 million from 4,513 theatres for Paramount Pictures. This takes its domestic run just shy of $600 million.

ELVIS is still in the building in fourth spot with $11 million from 3,714 theatres, a four week total of $93 million for Warner Bros.

JURASSIC WORLD DOMINION takes $8.1 million this weekend, taking its run to $351 million for Universal Pictures.

MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU shows them who’s boss this Canada Day/Fourth of July weekend, with a record-breaking $108.5 million from 4,391 theatres, Friday to Sunday for Universal Pictures. Previous record was set by TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON with $97.9 million for the three-day Holiday weekend in 2011. This latest installment in the Franchise gets a passing 71% on the Tomatometer.

In second is TOP GUN: MAVERICK, flying high still with $25.5 million from 3,843 theatres for Paramount Pictures. It has grossed $570 million now over six weekends.

Third is last week’s champ, just getting edged-out for second. ELVIS brings-in $19 million from 3,932 theatres for Warner Bros., a total $72.3 million over two weekends.

Fourth belongs to JURASSIC WORLD DOMINION with $15.6 million for Universal Pictures, a total $335 million in its fourth weekend.

At the bottom of the Top Five is THE BLACK PHONE with $12.3 million from 3,156 theatres for Universal Pictures. It reaches just shy of $50 million in its second weekend!

ELVIS reigns king of the Box Office, taking top spot in its debut with $31.5 million from 3,906 theatres for Warner Bros. on a very busy weekend at the Movies with the Top Five Movies each taking $20+ million! Almost unheard of! This latest effort from Director Baz Luhrmann gets 79% on the Tomatometer.

Taking second is TOP GUN: MAVERICK with $30 million from 3,948 theatres for Paramount Pictures. Total date it has brought-in $521 million domestically.

In third is two-week champ JURASSIC WORLD DOMINION with $26.1 million from 4,233 theatres for Universal Pictures, a total of $302 million in its third weekend of release.

Fourth is a debuting THE BLACK PHONE starring Ethan Hawke, with $23.2 million from 3,150 theatres for Universal Pictures. The Horror gets 83% on the Tomatometer.

Rounding things out is LIGHTYEAR with $20 million from 4,255 theatres for Disney in its second weekend out, a total $90 million to date.

With just a few days to go till its release, here’s a look back at last Friday’s Exclusive Canadian Screening of ELVIS which took place at TIFF Bell Lightbox. Visionary Filmmaker Baz Luhrmann and stars Austin Butler and Olivia De Jonge, who play Elvis and Priscilla Presley respectively graced the Red Carpet – the first time the Film screened publicly ever in Canada.

Fans queued for hours for a chance to get Selfies, autogprahs and meet the Film’s stars and Luhrmann. And one lucky fan won a Gibson SJ-200 guitar worth more than $6,000 just in time to have it signed by the stars, making for the ultimate keepsake!

A lot of detail went into the Red Carpet set-up and Warner Bros. Pictures Canada state that 150+ lightbulbs were installed, with a nod to the carnival-themed spectacle in the Film; a 13 ft-high film-branded backdrop; and a carpet that ran a whopping 100 feet throughout TIFF Bell Lightbox lobby.

A historical note: Elvis‘ first show ever in Toronto was at the iconic Maple Leaf Gardens – where Loblaws now is located at Carlton and Church – back in 1957, before shows in Ottawa and Vancouver.

In case you missed it, we caught Luhrmann, Butler and De Jonge on the Morning Show circuit during their visit here.

Our Review of ELVIS from Cannes here. The Film is sitting at 80% on the Tomatometer currently, a FRESH rating.

Warner Bros. Pictures Canada release ELVIS Friday, June 24, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros. Pictures Canada)

It’s Elvismania allover again! The Cast and Director of ELVIS have landed in Toronto for a day of Press in advance of tonight’s Canadian Premiere of the Film at TIFF Bell Lightbox, where the Red Carpet will be rolled-out!

Stars Austin Butler and Olivia De Jonge were up and at it early today doing the Morning Show circuit, with stops at Breakfast Television and The Morning Show. They star as Elvis and Priscilla Presley respectively in Baz Luhrmann‘s upcoming spectacle which recounts The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s rise to fame, and complicated relationship with his Manager, Colonel Tom Parker (Tom Hanks).

After a Premiere at Cannes where it got a record extended standing ovation, the buzz continues to spread for this latest effort from the same Director who brought us The Great Gatsby and Moulin Rouge.

Some lucky fans were able to get Selfies with Butler, who actually spent a Summer here back in 2010 filming SHARPAY’S FABULOUS ADVENTURE back in 2010. De Jonge, in a bit of a rush, still was gracious enough to stop for a couple snaps, holding a Tim Hortons cup of coffee! Honourary Canadian!

Luhrmann returns to Toronto after having promoted The Great Gatsby here back in 2013. We were so lucky to get to chat with him. More here.

Our Review of ELVIS here.

See some Snaps:

Warner Bros. Pictures Canada release ELVIS Friday, June 24, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros. Pictures Canada)

By Amanda Gilmore

Writer-Director Baz Luhrmann takes us on a dazzling ride with the Rock ‘n’ Roll legend. 

The Film is told from the perspective of his manager Colonel Tom Parker (Tom Hanks). We are taken through the life of Elvis (Austin Butler) from his humble beginnings to his tragic early passing. Along the way we see the impact, Elvis has had on music, branding and more within the industry.

It comes as no surprise that Luhrmann is the perfect fit for bringing the flair and glamour of Elvis to the big screen. Luhrmann’s Filmmaking style is in full effect as we follow the young boy becoming one of the greatest musicians in history. Tom Parker tells the story of how he made Elvis famous. It’s an odd entry point to a story about the world’s best-selling Solo Artist, considering Tom Parker is believed to be one of the causes of his death. At times it feels like the story didn’t need this narration aspect. However, it serves as a way into the many themes Luhrmann and his Co-Writers Sam Bromell and Craig Pearce explore. 

Although this is a story about Elvis, it touches on the Music industry as a whole. Particularly, the behind-the-scenes work. We get to watch as Elvis becomes the first Musician to make women’s emotions run rampant. These scenes are sprinkled throughout and are an absolute delight to watch. Luhrmann  captures brilliantly how a little wiggle of Elvis’ hips made women to lose their minds. These moments work thanks to a breakthrough performance from Butler who literally disappears into the icon. Each of the performances throughout is perfectly edited by Jonathan Redmond and Matt Villa, bringing us right into the performance hall.

Further, we watch as Tom Parker was the first Manager to make merchandise for a Musician. Moments like this remind the audience of the impact Elvis had on the industry as a whole. To this day, he was the first to do what Musicians do today. Luhrmann uses non-Elvis Music in the Film to the same effect. There’s one music mash-up that combines Elvis, “Backstreet’s Back” and “Toxic”. Doing this works as a touching tribute to the effect Elvis has on musicians to this day.

At the centre of the story is the toxic relationship between Elvis and Tom Parker. It’s clear from the beginning that he doesn’t have Elvis’ best interests at heart. He looks at him as a bank that will spew-out money. It’s a rare antagonist performance from Hanks who excels as the controlling Tom Parker. He tells Elvis to stop hanging around with the Musicians on Beale Street, stop dancing suggestively on stage, and wear different clothes at his performances. This results in Elvis losing who he is and what made him so beloved.

We see Elvis struggle between who he is and who his Manager is trying to turn him into. It’s mesmerizing to watch Butler portray this legend. He perfectly shows Elvis’ the energetic, alluring performance side and the man off-stage. The one who was struggling with his identity and craved the love he received while on stage.

It’s great watching him alongside Olivia DeJonge who plays Priscilla Presley. These moments show how fame can come in-between what was actual love.

ELVIS showcases some of the greatest performances of the year, including a powerhouse performance from Butler, made glossy by the stylish finishes Luhrmann is known for. It’s a great time at the Cinema while touching upon important moments throughout history. It’s a reminder that Musicians have the ability to make positive changes both within their industry and socially.

Elvis screens at Cannes ’22:

Wed, May 25 at 6:45 PM at GRAND THÉÂTRE LUMIÈRE

While this might be our last day at the Festival, it certainly wasn’t our least! The Premiere for Baz Luhrmann’s ELVIS took place last night, and the Junket today. The Film not only received a ten-minute standing ovation, but above this, has received the approval of Elvis Presley’s family – and there can be no higher honour. Amanda tells us the Film is told more through the lens of Elvis‘ Manager Colonel Tom Parker, played by Tom Hanks.

From the junket for Baz Luhrmann‘s ELVIS:

And also Claire Denis’ STARS AT NOON, set in 1984 Nicaragua, about a Businessman and Journalist who find themselves in trouble and trying to escape.

Thanks for checking-out our coverage. Our Amanda Gilmore‘s thoughts on ELVIS here!

(Photo credit: Amanda Gilmore/Mr. Will Wong)

In advance of its Premiere at Cannes, comes this brand new Trailer for Baz Luhrmann’s ELVIS! Our Amanda Gilmore will be seeing it and sharing her thoughts later this week. Stay tuned!

Synopsis:

From Oscar-nominated visionary filmmaker Baz Luhrmann comes Warner Bros. Pictures’ drama “Elvis”, starring Austin Butler and Oscar winner Tom Hanks. 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).

Starring alongside Hanks and Butler, award-winning theatre actress Helen Thomson (“Top of the Lake: China Girl,” “Rake”) plays Elvis’s mother, Gladys, Richard Roxburgh (“Moulin Rouge!” “Breath,” “Hacksaw Ridge”) portrays Elvis’s father, Vernon, and DeJonge (“The Visit,” “Stray Dolls”) plays Priscilla. Luke Bracey (“Hacksaw Ridge,” “Point Break”) plays Jerry Schilling, Natasha Bassett (“Hail, Caesar!”) plays Dixie Locke, David Wenham (“The Lord of the Rings” Trilogy, “Lion,” “300”) plays Hank Snow, Kelvin Harrison Jr. (“The Trial of the Chicago 7,” “The High Note”) plays B.B. King, Xavier Samuel (“Adore,” “Love & Friendship,” “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse”) plays Scotty Moore, and Kodi Smit-McPhee (“The Power of the Dog”) plays Jimmie Rodgers Snow.

Also in the cast, Dacre Montgomery (“Stranger Things,” “The Broken Heart Gallery”) plays TV director Steve Binder, alongside Australian actors Leon Ford (“Gallipoli,” “The Pacific”) as Tom Diskin, Kate Mulvany (“The Great Gatsby,” “Hunters”) as Marion Keisker, Gareth Davies (“Peter Rabbit,” “Hunters”) as Bones Howe, Charles Grounds (“Crazy Rich Asians,” “Camp”) as Billy Smith, Josh McConville (“Fantasy Island”) as Sam Phillips, and Adam Dunn (“Home and Away”) as Bill Black.

To play additional iconic musical artists in the film, Luhrmann cast singer/songwriter Yola as Sister Rosetta Tharpe, model Alton Mason as Little Richard, Austin, Texas native Gary Clark Jr. as Arthur Crudup, and artist Shonka Dukureh as Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton.

Warner Bros. Pictures Canada release ELVIS in theatres June 24, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros. Pictures Canada)