Sofia Coppola explains why there’s no Elvis music in her Priscilla film

Priscilla
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The filmmaker has revealed why Elvis Presley’s music won’t feature in her upcoming biopic of Priscilla Presley. 

Sofia Coppola has been chatting a little about the upcoming release of Priscilla, her take on the relationship between Priscilla Presley and her slightly-famous husband, Elvis. The film will be framed from the perspective of Priscilla and we’re hoping will be just a little spikier than Baz Luhrmann’s recent biopic, Elvis which for all of its merits, applied a significant coat of gloss to aspects of the couple’s relationship.

With Coppola directing, the story is certainly in the right hands as she has forged a career out of giving voices to women who find themselves positioned just out of the spotlight. However, one aspect of the Presley legend that we won’t be enjoying is the music as Elvis Presley Enterprises refused Coppola’s request to use the musician’s songs in the film.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Coppola has revealed why, stating “they don’t like projects that they haven’t originated, and they’re protective of their brand. But that made us be more creative.”

Given that the film is based on Priscilla Presley’s memoir, the story already possesses a degree of legitimacy but it seems that ceding control over the film’s direction wasn’t to the liking of the company that controls the late Elvis Presley’s estate.

Still, Coppola talks about being creative with the film’s soundtrack and we’re looking forward to being surprised with the needle drops that she’s used. From Air’s score for The Virgin Suicides to the fantastic needle drops in The Bling Ring, Coppola’s films are renowned for boasting excellent soundtracks so we’re looking forwards to enjoying her creative solution to this problem.

Cailee Spaeny stars as Priscilla, with Jacob Elordi as Elvis Presley. Other cast members include Raine Monroe Boland, Dagmara Domińczyk, Emily Mitchell, Jorja Cadence, Rodrigo Fernandez-Stoll, and Luke Humphrey. A24 is backing the film, which is currently slated for an October release.

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