HOLLYWOOD heavyweight Tom Hanks is set to star in a new Baz Luhrmann movie about the life of Elvis Presley being filmed in Queensland.
Hanks is set to play Elvis' manager Colonel Tom Parker in the as-yet-untitled film being produced and shot at the Village Roadshow Studios on the Gold Coast.
Sydney-born director Luhrmann, known for his films like Strictly Ballroom, Romeo + Juliet, The Great Gatsby, Moulin Rouge and Australia met with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk in London last month.
The film will explore the life and music of Presley, including his rise to fame, his unprecedented stardom, and his impact on the world at large, while also delving into his complicated relationship with his manager.
Luhrmann is still on the hunt for an actor to play the King of Rock n Roll.
"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," he said.
"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."
The Premier said she was looking forward to welcoming the production to the Gold Coast which is expected to employ 900 Queenslanders in behind-the-scenes roles.
The film, which is yet to be titled, will be the latest in a string of high-profile films produced in Queensland, following on the heels Aquaman and Thor: Ragnarok, the upcoming Dora the Explorer, and the 2020 release Godzilla vs Kong.
"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," said Ms Palaszczuk.
Geraldine Cardozo
Features Editor at The Senior.
Features Editor at The Senior.
