Baz Luhrmann (THE GREAT GATSBY) has been developing an Elvis Presley biopic for the past five years, and he may be on the verge of landing a major star, not for the role of Elvis, but for the musicians iconic manager, Colonel Tom Parker.
Variety has reported that Tom Hanks (THE POST) is in negotiations to play Colonel Tom Parker in the Warner Bros. project which will be directed by Baz Luhrmann, who also wrote the script with Craig Pearce. Tom Parker discovered Elvis Presley when he was still an unknown and quickly become Elivs' sole representative with control over almost all aspects of his life. He also amassed a considerable fortune thanks to claiming a significant percentage of Elvis' earnings over the years. Baz Luhrmaan has always wanted a star for the role of Colonel Parker, and according to Variety's Justin Kroll on Twitter, the director also met with Leonardo DiCaprio about the role before offering it to Tom Hanks. As for the role of Elvis Presley, Luhrmann is said to want a newcomer for the role and is already meeting with talent. The budget for the project is still being worked out, but Luhrmann is hoping to kick off production later this year as Hanks' involvement may just persuade the studio to move things forward.
Tom Hanks is certainly no stranger to portraying real-life figures, especially in recent years, as he's played Washington Post editor Ben Bradlee in THE POST, Captain Richard Phillips in CAPTAIN PHILLIPS, Walt Disney in SAVING MR. BANKS, Captain Chesley Sullenberger in SULLY, and Mister Rogers in the upcoming A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD which will hit theaters on November 22, 2019. Hanks will also be reprising his role of Sheriff Woody in TOY STORY 4 on June 21, 2019.