Elvis (CBS mini series)

[nabelt24]

With the filming of the new Elvis mini series now taking place in New Orleans, I haven't found anyone discussing their thoughts of the "new king". What are your opinions on Jonathan Rhys-Meyers... and who would have been your picks in this bio-film?
Just in case you're a little behind on the details, this is the current known cast...

Jonthan Rhys-Meyers ........... Elvis
Randy Quaid ....................... Colonel Tom Parker
Camryn Manheim ................. Gladys Presley
Rose McGowan .................... Ann-Margret

CBS still hasn't announced who has been cast in the key supporting roles of Priscilla, Vernon, and producer Sam Phillips. The four-hour mini series will air in May.

[Albert]

I always get a weird/emberassed feeling when watching people playing the role of Elvis. They emphasize the "yes 'mam", "thank you very much", "my boy, my boy", "well, my momma always told me", the curly lip, the shaking and the smile way too much. Most of the times Elvis is portrayed as someone who's hard to understand what he's saying and who's not too bright.

And having some soundalikes doing the songs, instead of using original music only makes it worse. You know, many people don't even KNOW that the songs are done by (bad!) soundalikes....

I think it's a bad thing that there's so little cooperation between moviemakers and owners of the rights of Elvis' music. Don't they understand that letting (well watched and produced) movies/series use the original Elvis songs is just free advertising?

[nabelt24]

In reply to Albert, I understand your feelings on the use of music in the previous movies. In the past, Ronnie McDowell has always been the first choice of producers when choosing the singing voice of Elvis, and he respectfully did a decent job. But, it's still not Elvis! So you'll be pleased to know that in this upcoming film, Rhys-Meyers will lip-sync to the original Presley recordings licensed especially for the program.

Also, In an interview with The Times Online, Irish actor Jonathan Rhys-Meyers briefly discussed his title role in the upcoming CBS miniseries.

"I can't ask Elvis how he did Elvis, I can only perceive how Elvis became Elvis. I'm trying to do my interpretation of how Elvis is. The more raw I can make it the better it'll be," Rhys-Meyers explained.

[nabelt24]

This is the latest on the upcoming movie....

CBS has announced that their four-hour miniseries "Elvis" will air over two nights: May 8th and 11th, respectively. There will be another related special, "Elvis by the Presleys", airing May 13th. That latter program will feature new interviews with Priscilla and Lisa Marie.

There are also reports that "Sony BMG and Crown Publishers will release a soundtrack and book tied to the miniseries and special."