Baz Luhrmann’s latest project “Elvis” marks his glamorous return to filmmaking, almost a decade after his last feature film, “The Great Gatsby,” was released in 2013.
Luhrmann’s portrayal of The King will tell the musician’s story with the backdrop of a powerful soundtrack — including Austin Butler singing as Elvis — with other star singers covering The King’s discography from Kacey Musgraves to Eminem and Ceelo Green. Black musicians like Little Richard, Sister Rosetta Tharpe and B.B. King played a major role in influencing Elvis’ development as a singer.
Whether it be fans of Elvis, Butler or Luhrmann (or all three), many may be wondering how to watch “Elvis,” so we’ve gathered all the details below.
When Did “Elvis” Come Out?
The glitzy biopic, which has a run-time of 2 hours and 39 minutes, swaggered into theaters Friday, June 24, 2022.
When Is “Elvis” Streaming on HBO Max?
At last, “Elvis” is now streaming on HBO Max.
The film was originally expected to land at HBO Max 45 days after it first hit theaters, around August 8, but Warner Bros. Discovery shifted its streaming strategy for Warner’s theatrical releases.
The film was released on 4K Blu-ray, Blu-ray and DVD on Sept. 13, 2022.
What Is “Elvis” About?
The biopic documents the rise of The King, as well as the context in which he grew famous.
Elvis became an icon throughout the fifties, sixties and seventies. While the film focuses on his life, it also acknowledges the cultural context of what was happening around Elvis. When Elvis was a young boy, he became heavily inspired by Black church gospel music. A major controversy of the hip-swayer is whether he amplified Blackness through his performance or appropriated it. The Civil Rights movement unfolds in the background, leading to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., and then Robert F. Kennedy.
Not only were Elvis’ signature moves derived from the Black community, but many thought they caused hysteria in women in the audience watching, and the trailer shows several scenes where women in the audience just can’t seem to get enough of Elvis.
Who Is in the “Elvis” Cast?
Austin Butler stars as The King. Tom Hanks co-stars as his manager Colonel Tom Parker. Olivia DeJonge plays Priscilla Presley. Dacre Montgomery portrays Steve Binder and Luke Bracey portrays Jerry Schilling. Kodi Smit-McPhee will play Jimmie Rodgers Snow. David Wenham will play Hank Snow. Alton Mason will portray Little Richard. Gary Clark Jr. will play Arthur ‘Big Boy’ Crudup, and Kelvin Harrison Jr. will play B.B. King. Yola portrays Sister Rosetta Tharpe, and Shonka Dukureh will portray Willie Mae Big Mama Thornton.