Priscilla Presleysays she thinksElvis Presleyhimself would giveBaz Luhrmann’s new film the seal of approval.
“I’m sitting there watching this movie and going ‘god I wish he could see this,'” Priscilla said of the film and how she thinks her late ex-husband would react to it. “It was perfection.”
The pair talked about a moment in the film when Priscilla asks Elvis to go seek treatment for his “drug dependency”
Priscilla said watching the scene brought back “memories.”
Priscilla and Elvis Presley.Getty
Priscilla also praisedAustin Butler’s performance as the late-rock and roller.
“Austin was just unbelievable,” she said. “As I was watching it, actually, I was going wow, this is a movie that he would have really loved. Showing who he was, what he was striving for, what his dreams were.”
Priscilla said that while it is “strange” to have someone playing her, she was happy with DeJonge’s performance.
“I’m so happy that she was sensitive and that she was caring and that she was a little strong with him as well, and you know, I thought she did a really, really nice job, I was pleasantly surprised,” Priscilla admitted.
Priscilla Presley.Lionel Hahn/Getty
During the interview, DeJonge said that Priscilla’s review of her performance is a “huge relief”
“Within my research, it was so evident the amount of love and care and sensitivity that was there so I’m very glad that that came through,” she said.
DeJonge said that while it’s easy to see Elvis and Priscilla an “iconic couple” — which they were — “one of the most important things was to just strip that away and just sort of play a girl and boy that were in love.”
From left: Austin Butler, Olivia DeJonge, Baz Luhrmann and Tom Hanks in June.Chris Hyde/Getty
Last month, Priscilla got emotional while joining the filmmaking team behind the film during its premiere at theCannes Film Festival.
During the enthusiastic and extended applause at the end of the film, Priscilla huggedLuhrmannwhile wiping away tears.
Priscilla haspreviously sung her praisesof the new film recounting the meteoric rise of her late musician husband, saying during theMet Galared carpet earlier this month, “I think it’s a movie for everyone.”
“Even the people who’ve heard stories about Elvis before, they’re gonna learn something,” she added.OnInstagramdays later, she reiterated her feelings, writing alongside a trailer for the film, “I’ve seen Elvis the film, I watched the trailer over a dozen times.”
Baz Luhrmann’sElvispremieres June 24 in theaters and 45 days later on HBO Max.
source: people.com
