This was published 4 years ago
Plan to restart production on Elvis biopic featuring Tom Hanks
By Lydia Lynch
Australian film legend Baz Luhrmann is anticipating official permission to restart production of his new Elvis Presley movie.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she has met with Luhrmann about ramping up production on the blockbuster, with COVID safe plans before the state's top doctor.
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson.Credit: Invision
Production on the movie, which is being filmed on the Gold Coast, was halted in March after Tom Hanks and his wife, Rita Wilson, tested positive for coronavirus.
Ms Palaszczuk said she was working closely with Luhrmann and his team to restart production at Village Roadshow Studios on the Gold Coast.
“We want to ensure that this can happen as soon as possible while making sure that the cast and crew can operate safely," she said.
“Screen Queensland and Queensland Health are also currently developing a screen industry COVID safe plan that will be released shortly, paving the way for the whole sector to get rolling cameras again and crew back to work on sets."
The film will explore the life and music of Presley, including his rise to fame and his impact on the world, as well as delving into his complicated relationship with his manager, Colonel Tom Parker.
Luhrmann's hits have included Romeo and Juliet, The Great Gatsby, Moulin Rouge and Strictly Ballroom.
In a statement released in March, he said: "We have a passionate conviction to be back here on the Gold Coast, picking up where we left off as soon as the time is right."
“In fact, we are not even taking our sets down, simply locking up the creative space over the next few days," Luhrmann said.
Cameras will roll on two other productions in Queensland this month.
“Rom-com feature film This Little Love of Mine, by Brisbane-based The Steve Jaggi Company, will start filming in Cairns," Ms Palaszczuk said.
“This production will create 25 local jobs and inject more than $1.5 million into the economy. Also resuming filming this month is the second season of The Bureau of Magical Things, on the Gold Coast, employing more than 200 cast and crew and injecting more than $8.5 million into the Queensland economy."
Get our Morning & Evening Edition newsletters
The most important news, analysis and insights delivered to your inbox at the start and end of each day. Sign up to The Sydney Morning Herald’s newsletter here, to The Age’s newsletter here and Brisbane Times' here.