Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis Presley movie: Inside secret deal to bring $100m movie to the Gold Coast

Baz Luhrmann will make his $100 million Elvis Presley movie on the Gold Coast. We take you inside the secret negotiations and the dinner which won the city its newest blockbuster.

“SEE you in Queensland”.

That was the text from Hollywood director Baz Luhrmann to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk yesterday morning which sealed a deal to film his Elvis Presley biopic to the Gold Coast.

The $100 million story of the King of Rock’s life will bring Academy Award winning A-lister Tom Hanks to the Glitter Strip for the shoot early next year.

The location was announced suddenly in State Parliament during Question Time yesterday but the Bulletin can reveal Ms Palaszczuk found out it was a done deal seconds before taking to her feet.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk with film director Baz Luhrmann

Ms Palaszczuk said locking in the Gold Coast for the movie was a culmination of secret negotiations conducted across the world during the past three weeks.

It began with dinner in London on April 12.

“I was in London and got an urgent call to meet Baz. It was supposed to go for 30 minutes but it ended up running for more than an hour and we had dinner afterwards as we talked about what Queensland and the Gold Coast has to offer,” she said.

“Baz had heard really positive reports of the film industry here and Warner Brothers had a great experience with Aquaman.

Elvis Presley

“We spoke extensively about the Gold Coast, what the city has to offer — the accommodation, the great food, the Spit masterplan, the walking trails and the beaches.”

The negotiations continued after Ms Palaszczuk returned to Australia, with Luhrmann interrupting a casting session to sign the deal at 9.17am yesterday.

Luhrmann said he was looking forward to filming in Australia again.

Baz Luhrmann in the US researching the film.

“Australia continues to be one of the great filmmaking locations in the world, where we’ve created everything from Paris cabarets to the Jazz Age in New York,” he said.

“Since shooting significant portions of the film Australia in Queensland, I’ve been excited to get back to such a conducive creative environment to realise this film.

“I am committed to not only making the film but also developing Queensland’s creative culture and supporting filmmakers, storytellers and artists of all kinds, in the same manner that we ourselves were supported and mentored early in our careers.”

Graceland will be recreated for the film. (AP Photo/Beth J. Harpaz, File)

Luhrmann is expected to visit the Gold Coast to scout filming locations in the second half of the year before cameras roll early next year.

Ms Palaszczuk was full of praise for the director behind iconic hits Strictly Ballroom, Moulin Rouge and William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet.

“He texted me after the deal was done to say ‘see you in Queensland’,” she said.

“Baz is larger than life, he’s such a decent and down to earth guy with such creativity.”

The currently untitled film will star Hanks - best known for roles in Forrest Gump, Apollo 13, Cast Away and Philadelphia - as Presley’s manager Colonel Tom Parker.

The role of the King is yet to be cast but an international search will be conducted.

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Gold Coast Elvis fans including Pete Memphis are pumped. Picture Glenn Hampson

It is expected to employ 900 people in behind-the-scenes roles, including set construction, catering and transportation, and inject more than $105 million into the economy.

It will primarily be filmed at the Village Roadshow studios at Oxenford.

News of the production has been welcomed by city leaders and film industry figures.

Mayor Tom Tate said he was all shook up by the news and said it would have a significant impact on the city’s economy.

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“It’s an amazing coup. It is the cream of acting and directing talent, it doesn’t get bigger than this,” he said.

“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.”