The Definitive Elvis Presley Biography

[ruggishboo]

I'm sure almost all of us have seen several "biographies" of our guy over the years, some decent and many others dreadfully inaccurate. My question is this, do you think we will ever see the definitive Elvis Presley biographical film in our lifetime? Something perhaps along the lines of "Ray" or "Walk the Line"?

[The King's Queen]

That's a good question! I, for one, have wondered why someone has not already done this. But then again, I guess that if a 'definitive' biography of Elvis' life were to surface, it would be perceived as speculative because he is not here to tell it in his words. Because of that fact, there would still be a fair amount of questioning whether or not it would be a correct portrayal...no matter how closely it would come to the truth. Who can actually say what the truth is??? Good thread though!

[Getlo]

The Elvis story is too well known for it to be a successful movie venture.

Most people know the drill: poor boy, becomes famous, army, movies, Cilla, black leather suit, concerts, Vegas, Lisa, pills, death, legacy. But I'll bet most of the public had no real idea of Johnny Cash's and Ray Charles' struggles.

Walk The Line and, to a lesser extent, Ray were hits because the general public were mostly unaware of the men behind the music (and the films were also well made).

Unless the movie showed Elvis warts and all (and I do mean all) then there'd be no point.

As strange as it sounds, Elvis is too big for a movie to be made about him (ie there's already so much ELVIS product out there) it couldn't possibly be a commercial success.

[cameron]

I'm sure almost all of us have seen several "biographies" of our guy over the years, some decent and many others dreadfully inaccurate. My question is this, do you think we will ever see the definitive Elvis Presley biographical film in our lifetime? Something perhaps along the lines of "Ray" or "Walk the Line"?

Never will we see this; unless Elvis is allowed to return and give his own story.

[ruggishboo]

Thanks for the opinions guys. I do agree if this movie were to ever be made it would have to encapsule the whole story, "warts and all" and there is too much to dive into with his life to cut it down to a two and a half or even three hour movie. I don't think a movie like this would be made any time soon, or maybe even in the next twenty years. I agree with you Getlo about Elvis being "too big for a movie to be made about him". And then of course, the scrutiny and criticism of whoever they would cast for the lead...no one has ever completely captured the spirit of Elvis Presley in film imo, and quite possibly never will. And Elvis has no participation in this, like in the Cash and Charles bios, so perhaps I should of said "almost definitive"....

[Dorothy]

I thought Jerry Shilling is going to make a movie about Elvis? Or is it going to be a movie based on his book?

[utmom2008]

The Elvis story is too well known for it to be a successful movie venture.

Most people know the drill: poor boy, becomes famous, army, movies, Cilla, black leather suit, concerts, Vegas, Lisa, pills, death, legacy. But I'll bet most of the public had no real idea of Johnny Cash's and Ray Charles' struggles.

Walk The Line and, to a lesser extent, Ray were hits because the general public were mostly unaware of the men behind the music (and the films were also well made).

Unless the movie showed Elvis warts and all (and I do mean all) then there'd be no point.

As strange as it sounds, Elvis is too big for a movie to be made about him (ie there's already so much ELVIS product out there) it couldn't possibly be a commercial success.

I totally agree with you! Any movie made about Elvis would come across as though he was a caricature. There are some people that have surpassed having a film made about them..Elvis is one of those

[Getlo]

Never will we see this; unless Elvis is allowed to return and give his own story.

That's not the reason it wouldn't be made.

Johnny Cash, Ray Charles and, soon, Ian Curtis (Joy Division) weren't here to give their sides ... and all three biopics turned out very well indeed.

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

For any venture to be truly successful there would have to be some collaboration with EPE, there in lies the rub........ Priscilla is happy to dish the dirt on Elvis but would not accept any negative publicity about herself as in the CBS "Rhys Meyers" car crash

There is a real problem making a true biopic of Elvis, the fans are split 50/50 with how his life should be reflected e.g. career focused, rose tinted, or worts and all.

Whatever way you slice it your on a hiding to nothing

[Diane]

You're right JJ, I feel it would be an impossible task to portray Elvis as he really was not only with what you stated above but that he was an extremely complex person.

Diane

[rhythmknights]

The Elvis story is too well known for it to be a successful movie venture.
there's already so much ELVIS product out there.

I agree, too many books about him, the same info, different friend, too many biopics already out, not to mention Elvis' own movies. Loving YOu is practically an autobiography, even Clambake has a bit of biography [how does rich/famous guy Elvis know if these women love him for him or because of who he is]. Another movie would simply just be another movie, another book is just another book. I'm just saying!