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The King himself is getting the Baz Luhrmann biopic treatment, and the Gold Coast has been selected as the base of operations for the Australian director's latest blockbuster.
The director behind iconic Australian films The Great Gatsby, Strictly Ballroom, and Moulin Rouge!, is taking on the life and music of Elvis Presley.
The film, so far untitled, will explore Elvis' rise to fame, his stardom, and his impact on the world of music.
The movie is also expected to explore Elvis' complex relationship with his manager Colonel Tom Parker.
"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," says Luhrmann.
"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."
"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."
Baz Luhrmann (via Facebook)
While Elvis is yet to be cast, Tom Hanks has been picked to play the part of Colonel Tom Parker.
Tom Hanks is set to play Elivis' manager Colonel Tom Parker
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.
The film will be the latest in a string of high-profile films produced in Australia's Queensland, following on the heels of the hugely successful Aquaman and Thor: Ragnarök, the upcoming Dora the Explorer, and the 2020 release Godzilla vs Kong.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says she is looking forward to welcoming the Warner Bros. production to their world-class facilities, Village Roadshow Studios, on the Gold Coast.
"My government's strategy to attract major feature productions continues to deliver for Queensland's screen industry, bringing some of the biggest filmmakers in Hollywood to our shores," the Premier said.
"The continuous pipeline of major productions means the talented people working in Queensland's screen industry have an opportunity to work with a legend like Baz Luhrmann."
Baz Luhrmann at Graceland (via Facebook)
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