Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla won’t feature any of Elvis’s music

Priscilla Presley sat down with the writer-director of her forthcoming biopic for a joint interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

August 23, 2023
Sofia Coppola’s <i>Priscilla</i> won’t feature any of Elvis’s music L: Sofia Coppola. Photo by Arnold Jerocki / Getty Images. R: Priscilla Presley. Photo by Charley Gallay / Getty Images.  

Sofia Coppola and Priscilla Presley cover this week’s issue of The Hollywood Reporter, as revealed in a joint interview published today (August 23rd). They discuss Coppola’s upcoming biopic Priscilla, the making of which was apparently a cathartic experience for both women. “At the end, I actually, I was quite emotional,” Presley says of her first viewing. “Only being 14. You look back and you go, ‘Why me? Why am I here? Why am I driving in a limo, going through the gates of Graceland with Elvis?’ ”

ADVERTISEMENT

The Elvis Presley estate, on the other hand, is much less fond of Coppola’s portrayal. In fact, Elvis Presley Enterprises, 80 percent of which is owned by Authentic Brands Group, barred her from using any of Elvis’ music in Priscilla. “They don’t like projects that they haven’t originated, and they’re protective of their brand,” Coppola says. “But that made us be more creative.” The film will instead feature an “anachronistic soundtrack” similar to Marie Antoinette. Read the full interview here.

ADVERTISEMENT
Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla won’t feature any of Elvis’s music