Gold Coast brings star quality to new Elvis biopic

You could feel the temperature rising as the Gold Coast showed off its star quality for the Australian premiere of Baz Luhrmann’s newest epic film, Elvis.

While the glitz and glam of the Gold Coast befits the premiere of a biopic about The King of Rock & Roll – this was a celebration of a film produced right here at Village Roadshow Studios.

Queensland’s very own bright light city lured Hollywood heavyweights to its golden shores for the filming of the long-anticipated Elvis. The legend’s music, personal life and career brought to the big screen by Luhrmann’s signature style with actors including Oscar winner Tom Hanks, Austin Butler, Helen Thomson and an impressive Aussie crew.

The cinematic drama tells the story of Elvis’s (Butler) rise to fame and unprecedented stardom through the lens of his complicated relationship with his manager, Colonel Tom Parker (Hanks), weaving in major US events of the time that impacted his life. Whether you’re a fan of the music or not, it’s a captivating depiction of one of the world’s most iconic performers.

Filming took place at Village Roadshow Studios – one of the many recent films shot in the Sunshine State with the support of Screen Queensland – where production used empty backlots and local construction to build elaborate sets and recreate moments of musical history.

Filming kicked off in late September 2020 and wrapped in March 2021, but Elvis leads Hanks and Butler needed no convincing to return to the Gold Coast for the premiere at Pacific Fair’s Event Cinemas on June 5. It’s star-studded events like this that makes the Gold Coast shine even brighter.

Elvis is out in cinemas from 23 June in Australia and 24 June in the US and UK.

Want to live like The King here on the Gold Coast? Check out this luxury guide then fill your days with these best things to do. You can also get a bigger taste of showbiz right next to Village Roadshow Studios at Warner Bros. Movie World. Ride the coasters and meet iconic characters, sign up for a stunt driver experience or snap your own movie moment on the green screens.