Jacob Elordi of Euphoria will soon be seen on the big screen in the role of Elvis Presley.
As first reported by Deadline, Sofia Coppola (On the Rocks, Lost in Translation) is set to direct the A24-distributed Priscilla, starring Cailee Spaeny in the title role. The film is based on the real-life Priscilla’s 1985 book Elvis and Me, with Coppola having also handled script adaptation duties.
While Spaeny (who was most recently seen in the Sundance-premiered apocalyptic comedy How It Ends) has been a lock for the title role since the very beginning of the development process, this was reportedly not the case with regards to Elordi.
In a follow-up tweet shared shortly after the Deadline piece went live, reporter Justin Kroll suggested none other than Justin Bieber was at one point among those Coppola had also reached out to about possibly taking on the role.
When reached for comment by Complex on Monday, a rep for A24 shared a press release confirming that it will handle distribution in North America, while Vision Distribution will control Italy and Stage 6/Sony Pictures International Releasing will distribute elsewhere. Shooting is expected to kick off in Toronto later this year.
News of Coppola’s Presley picture, which is believed to have long been positioned as the director’s next project, comes in the wake of the success of Baz Luhrmann’s musical biopic Elvis. In Baz’s film, Austin Butler took on the title role with a dedication widely praised among critics. The characteristically expansive cast also featured Tom Hanks as the complicated villain of the story, Colonel Tom Parker, as well as Olivia DeJonge as Priscilla.