Baz Luhrmann will produce and direct his next film in Queensland, exploring the life and music of Elvis Presley, including his rise to fame and his impact on the world at large.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk secured the project, a Warner Bros. Pictures film, during a recent meeting with the legendary Australian director in London.
Luhrmann said, “Australia continues to be one of the great filmmaking locations in the world, where we’ve created everything from Paris cabarets to the Jazz Age in New York.”
“Since shooting significant portions of the film Australia in Queensland, I’ve been excited to get back to such a conducive creative environment to realize this film.
“Along with CM and my entire team, I am committed to not only making the film, but also developing Queensland’s creative culture and supporting filmmakers, storytellers and artists of all kinds, in the same manner that we ourselves were supported and mentored early in our careers.”
Tom Hanks is set to play the part of Colonel Tom Parker, Presley’s lifelong manager. The filmmaker is casting a wide net for the actor to play Elvis.
The production alone is expected to employ 900 Queenslanders in behind-the-scenes roles, including set construction, catering and transportation, and inject more than $105 million into the local economy.
Luhrmann, partnering again with production and costume designer Catherine Martin, has an enviable pedigree, with films including The Great Gatsby, Australia, Moulin Rouge, Romeo + Juliet and Strictly Ballroom collectively taking in over $1.2 billion AUD in box office receipts.
