Baz Lurhman’s Elvis Presley movie to be filmed on Gold Coast

Film industry figures have hailed news that director Baz Luhrmann will shoot a biopic of Elvis Presley on the Glitter Strip, with the cast to include one of the biggest names in Hollywood.

Film industry figures have hailed news that director Baz Luhrmann will film a biopic about Elvis Presley on the Gold Coast, saying “it doesn’t get bigger than this”.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk today announced the movie – which will star Tom Hanks as Elvis’ manager Colonel Tom Parker – will be filmed at Village Roadshow Studios in Oxenford.

In state parliament today, the Premier said: “I am passionate about the Queensland Screen industry, you might say I have a burning love for it.

“It injects billions of dollars into our economy. On my recent trade mission to the United Kingdom, I received an urgent message. Could I change my schedule to meet a legend of Hollywood and Australia who wanted to fly from New York to meet me.

Music legend Elvis Presley (Photo by STF / AFP)

“I agreed – we met – and now the deal has been done.

“That meeting was with Baz Luhrmann, producer of Romeo and Juliet and four of the ten highest-grossing Australian films of all time – Australia, The Great Gatsby, Moulin Rouge and Strictly Ballroom.

“If I sound all shook up – I am. Baz Luhrmann has chosen Queensland as the place to produce his next masterpiece.”

Award-winning director, screenwriter Darren Paul Fisher, who is a teaching fellow at Bond University, hailed the announcement as fantastic news for the Gold Coast.

“It’s an amazing coup,” Mr Fisher said.

“It is the cream of acting and directing talent, it doesn’t get bigger than this.

“It is the ultimate stamp of approval to bring the best actor and top Australian director to come to the Gold Coast to make his next picture.

“It is the gold standard of production to have legendary Australian director Baz Luhrmann and double-Oscar winning Tom Hanks – America’s sweetheart – coming to the Gold Coast.

“You don’t get a bigger acting name globally than Tom Hanks.”

Director Baz Luhrmann. Picture: Getty Images

Actor Tom Hanks. Picture: Getty Images

The production is expected to employ 900 Queenslanders in roles including set construction, catering and costume design.

It is expected to inject more than $105 million into the local economy.

“We have the big studios, we have the water tanks, we are already set up for big-scale productions,” Mr Fisher said.

“This announcement also shows, not only are we set up for big budget production, it is about bringing sheer quality in Hollywood moviemaking.

“It shows we have the infrastructure, the crews, and we can bring the best that Hollywood has to offer on any scale.

“The consistency of these amazing films coming to the Gold Coast over the last three of four years is unheard of.

Movie director and Bond University lecturer Darren Paul Fisher.

“We’ve had Aquaman, Pirates of the Caribbean, Dora the Explorer, Thor, and also Jungle with Daniel Radcliffe. These are all big productions and they are coming to the Gold Coast consistently now.

“It enables crews to stay and get experience. It also encourages more movies to be filmed here, because it is a really viable option.

“We’ve hit critical mass with this production coming and the experience generated by these big films coming to the Gold Coast consistently.

“Any big Hollywood film can now come here and feel secure that the facilities, infrastructure and crews are ready to go.

“Gold Coast is the perfect location for this Elvis movie. Light is a key thing when filming on location, you could not do Vegas in London. Clarity of light is key. The Gold Coast obviously has that in abundance.”

The role of Elvis will be filled after a worldwide search to be overseen by Baz Luhrmann.