Baz Luhrmann is testing the best of the best in terms of young male talent for the role of Elvis Presley in his Warner Bros. film about the singer and his manager Colonel Tom Parker. Tom Hanks is already set to play Presley’s manager, Parker.
The group of actors were filmed last weekend and Luhrmann is expected to make a decision by next week. The tops names were said to all be vocally talented and they also displayed Presley signature moves and rhythm and that the final choice will not be easy for Luhrmann to make. The top contenders include Ansel Elgort, Miles Teller, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Austin Butler, & Harry Styles, the latter of which is a surprise contender as the former One Direction singer made a big impression during his taped audition. Styles has already tackled acting with a role in Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk.
Luhrmann wrote the script with Craig Pearce, and it covers the relationship between the veteran manager and the young singer, who came from dirt-poor origins to become an iconic star who changed the course of music. Parker was reputed to have taken half of Presley’s earnings for himself, in exchange for building him. This is going to be a huge get for whichever actor gets the role so stay tuned for the latest casting developments.
