Baz Luhrmann will return to Australia for the local premiere of his latest film “Elvis”.
Luhrmann will appear alongside two of the film’s stars, Austin Butler and fellow Australian Olivia DeJonge.
The premiere will take place on the Gold Coast on June 4.
Universal Pictures, on behalf of Warner Bros. Pictures, said many of the film’s 95 Australian cast members are also expected to attend the gala event before a private after party with surprise musical guests.
Luhrmann said bringing “the greatest show on Earth” to the Gold Coast simply made sense.
“There’s simply no way we could premiere this film anywhere else in Australia but the Gold Coast, or as we have come to know it, ‘The Goldie’,” he said.
“Not only did we shoot the film there, but with the support of local council and government, we were able to complete almost all the post-production there as well.”
The entire film was shot on the Gold Coast in 2020 with the support of the Queensland Government through Screen Queensland and the Australian Government’s Producer Offset program.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk agreed that it was only fitting to have the premiere of Luhrmann’s latest film on the Gold Coast.
“I met Baz Luhrmann back in 2019 during a trade mission to the UK to help secure this production for the Gold Coast, and to now see it coming to life on the big screen is just incredible,” she said.
“By having “Elvis” filmed here, it has not only put the Gold Coast and Queensland in the global spotlight, but it has given 900 Queensland cast and crew jobs and provided a boost of more than $130 million into our economy. This has been critical to our economic recovery during the challenging pandemic times.
“I want to thank Warner Bros. and Baz Luhrmann for choosing the Gold Coast and congratulate everyone who helped bring this cinematic achievement to silver screens worldwide. This is a proud moment for Queensland.”
Luhrmann even went so far as to call on other creatives to consider The Gold Coast for their next film project.
“My entire creative team, our families and I have developed a true love and deep relationship with the emerging energy and creative spirit of The Goldie,” he said.
“The many artists and friends whom we have met along the way have made us think of it as a new creative home. I’ve been quoted saying, and will continue to say, that I would recommend to any filmmaker in the world to come to this exciting place.
“The Gold Coast is bursting with the energy, creativity, good food and great people essential to making a movie.”
Kylie Munnich, Screen Queensland’s CEO, pointed to Screen Queensland’s Production Attraction Strategy as key to securing the project.
“With world-class facilities like Village Roadshow Studios, experienced local crew, stunning locations and the support of Screen Queensland, we continue to show why the producers of high-profile films like “Elvis” choose our state,” she said.
“We congratulate Baz, Catherine Martin and the whole production team from “Elvis” for what we know will be a spectacular film.”
“Elvis” tracks its titular character Elvis Presley (Butler) through the prism of his complicated relationship with his enigmatic manager, Colonel Tom Parker (Tom Hanks). DeJonge plays Priscilla Presley.
It had its world premiere at Cannes Film Festival.
“Elvis” will be released in Australian cinemas on June 23.
