MAIN CASTING IS COMPLETE ON BAZ LUHRMANN’S “ELVIS,” NOW FILMING IN AUSTRALIA
The main cast of Baz Luhrmann’s upcoming musical drama “Elvis” has been set, with Richard Roxburgh, Helen Thomson, David Wenham, Luke Bracey and Dacre Montgomery among the prominent Australian actors co-starring with Tom Hanks, Austin Butler and Olivia DeJonge in the film.
Richard Roxburgh (“Moulin Rouge!” “Breath”, “Hacksaw Ridge”) portrays Elvis’s father, Vernon Presley, and award-winning theatre actress Helen Thomson (“Top of the Lake: China Girl”, “Rake”) plays Elvis’s mother, Gladys Presley. David Wenham (“The Lord of the Rings” Trilogy, “Lion”, “300”) plays Hank Snow, Natasha Bassett (“Hail, Caesar!”) plays Dixie Locke, Xavier Samuel (“Adore”, “Love & Friendship”, “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse”) plays Scotty Moore, Luke Bracey (“Hacksaw Ridge,” “Point Break”) plays Jerry Schilling, and Dacre Montgomery (“Stranger Things,” “The Broken Heart Gallery”), plays TV director Steve Binder.
Joining the ensemble are Australian actors Leon Ford (TV’s “Gallipoli,” TV’s “The Pacific”) as Tom Diskin, Kate Mulvany (“The Great Gatsby,” TV’s “Hunters”) as Marion Keisker, Gareth Davies (“Peter Rabbit,” TV’s “Hunters”) as Bones Howe, Charles Grounds (“Crazy Rich Asians,” TV’s “Camp”) as Billy Smith, Josh McConville (“Fantasy Island”) as Sam Phillips, and Adam Dunn (TV’s “Home and Away”) as Bill Black.
Speaking about his cast, Luhrmann offered, “Elvis was surrounded by an extraordinary array of rich personalities, and we are very fortunate to pull together a tremendous ensemble to tell this story. It’s exciting to unite some of Australia’s finest actors, from longtime collaborators from “Moulin Rouge!,” “Australia” and “The Great Gatsby” like Richard Roxburgh, David Wenham and Kate Mulvany, to exciting new faces such as Dacre Montgomery, Helen Thomson, Luke Bracey, Natasha Bassett and many more. With the world as it is right now, our entire company is grateful that we can join together in this creative venture to bring employment and opportunity in front of and behind the camera, and to the community at large.”
Baz Luhrmann’s “Elvis,” explores the life and music of Elvis Presley, seen through the prism of his complicated relationship with his enigmatic manager, Colonel Tom Parker. 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.
Luhrmann directs from the current screenplay written by Luhrmann and Craig Pearce. Luhrmann is also producing the film, alongside Catherine Martin, Gail Berman, Patrick McCormick and Schuyler Weiss, with Andrew Mittman executive producing.
The director’s behind-the-scenes creative team includes director of photography Mandy Walker (“Mulan,” “Australia”), Oscar-winning production designer and costume designer Catherine Martin (“The Great Gatsby,” “Moulin Rouge!”), editors Matt Villa (“The Great Gatsby,” “Australia”) and Jonathan Redmond (“The Great Gatsby”) and composer Elliott Wheeler (“The Get Down”).
Principal photography on “Elvis” is taking place in Queensland, Australia with the support of the Queensland Government, Screen Queensland and the Australian Government’s Producer Offset program. The film will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.
About the Author
Damien Straker is a freelance writer and film critic. He studied at the University of Sydney and graduated with an Arts Honours degree in Film Studies. He is a pop culture aficionado and enjoys talking about all films, 90s TV shows, ninjas and watching Rugby League. His favourite film directors are Alfonso Cuarón, Clint Eastwood and Alexander Payne.
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