It looks like we're about to receive our third Elvis-related film in as many years, with filmmaker Baz Luhrmann hinting that another film on the King of Pop is in the works. Luhrmann took to TikTok to share the news, with a montage of archival footage of the singer. Alongside the video itself, text read: "After 10 years away from the stage, Elvis made his triumphant return in Las Vegas. For over 50 years there have been rumours of lost footage. During the production of Baz Luhrmann's Elvis... It was found."
@bazluhrmann I’m really thrilled that I am finally able to announce that we have all been working hard and collaborating on unearthing and showcasing a treasure trove of unseen footage, sound and other materials to create something special for the big (and small) screen ⚡️ TCB! @elvis #bazmark ♬ original sound - Baz Luhrmann
Interest piqued? Ours too. Below, everything we know about the rumoured project.
What is the new Elvis film about?
Two iconic filmmakers have already charted Elvis' life. Luhrmann enlisted Austin Butler to play the popstar in his 2022 biopic, while Sofia Coppola told the story of Elvis' wife with Priscilla, starring Cailee Spaeny and Jacob Elordi.
Unlike these two existing works, it looks like the newest project, also by Luhrmann, will focus more on archival footage, rather than a biopic retelling. "I’m really thrilled that I am finally able to announce that we have all been working hard and collaborating on unearthing and showcasing a treasure trove of unseen footage, sound and other materials to create something special for the big (and small) screen," the filmmaker wrote on TikTok.
Luhrmann spoke to Deadline to expand on the project, saying, “There has always been talk amongst Elvis’ fans, both longtime fans and newer fans brought in by our film Elvis, of missing reels and never-before-seen concert footage."
He continued, “During the making of Elvis, from very early on in my process I had the privilege to access the studio’s vaults deep in the salt mines of Kansas, where troves of old film negatives are stored. We were astonished by the sheer volume of unused footage from Elvis: That’s the Way It Is, the film of Elvis’ legendary 1970 Summer Festival in Las Vegas – all shot on anamorphic 35mm – and also from Elvis’s road concert film from two years later, Elvis on Tour."
“Equally exciting was that we found not only picture that has never been seen at this quality but also rare behind-the-scenes audio that had been feared lost, especially some fascinating recordings of Elvis telling stories from his own life in his own words.”
When will the new Elvis film air?
Luhrmann also shed some light on the timeline of the project, saying, "We’re still very much in the middle of creating this work, but there has been so much talk and such enthusiasm for this, that I felt now it was time to share what has been happening with it. I can’t say much more about it, except that I wouldn’t call it a documentary, or a concert film; our aim here is to make something new in the Elvis canon."
Who else is involved in the project?
Working alongside Luhrmann is editor Jonathan Redmond, as well as Authentic Studios and Sony Music Vision.
We'll keep you updated as we learn more about this exciting project.
Feature image via IMDb.
