Summary

  • Sofia Coppola's new movie Priscilla doesn't feature any performances or recordings of Elvis Presley songs.
  • The decision to omit Elvis' music was not in Coppola's hands, as the estate did not accept her request for the rights.
  • By not using any of Elvis' music, however, the film focuses solely on Priscilla and her story, providing an honest perspective without pressure to flatter Elvis' image.

Sofia Coppola's new movie movie director Sofia Coppola, Priscilla's cast stars Cailee Spaeny in the titular role, with Jacob Elordi playing music icon Elvis Presley.

While Jacob Elordi has perfected Elvis Presley's voice and accent, he didn't have to spend as much time learning how to replicate the King of Rock's discography for Priscilla, unlike some previous Elvis actors. The 2023 movie comes on the heels of Baz Luhrmann's 2022 biopic, Elvis, which had Austin Butler in the title role singing numerous hits from various eras in the singer's career. Surprisingly, given the movie takes place throughout the height of the singer's influence, Priscilla doesn't feature a single Elvis Presley recording on its soundtrack, let alone an actor performing them. Despite how curious this may seem, it wasn't strictly a creative choice by Coppola.

Elvis' Estate Didn't Allow Priscilla To Use His Songs

Elvis and Priscilla touch hands in Priscilla 2023

While Elvis' presence in the story led to the assumption that his classic songs would be included, the choice to omit them from Priscilla wasn't entirely in Coppola's hands. Coppola recently revealed in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter that Elvis' estate did not accept her offer for the rights of the music. "Coppola asked Elvis Presley Enterprises, the entity that is 85 percent owned by Authentic Brands Group — the branding company that also owns the rights to the Muhammad Ali and Marilyn Monroe likennesses — and was turned down," revealed the article.

Coppola elaborated, "They don’t like projects that they haven’t originated, and they’re protective of their brand." To for a lack of Elvis' music, Coppola and her music team, which includes her Phoenix rocker husband Thomas Mars, chose songs that were reflective of the era instead. Priscilla's soundtrack includes a cover of Frankie Avalon's "Venus," which played when the iconic couple first met. Some music choices were more unconventional, as movie opens with the Ramones' 1980 cover of "Baby, I Love You," originally by The Ronettes.

Priscilla's Elvis Songs Rejection Makes The Movie Better

Cailee Spaeny as Priscilla Presley standing in Graceland in Priscilla

By not using any of Elvis' music in the film, Coppola keeps the entire focus on Priscilla and her story. The film is meant to serve as a deep dive into her relationship with Elvis, but from Priscilla's perspective specifically. Priscilla was only 14 years old when she met Elvis, with this film finally shining light onto the more problematic aspects of their age gap. The movie seemingly now doesn't have to give way to his fame or legacy in the same way, as opposed to if Elvis' music was included.

Furthermore, by having the Elvis estate completely out of the movie means that Coppola can tell the story she wants, without pressure from any outside parties. Coppola's film does not face as much pressure to flatter Elvis' image, making for an honest perspective of Priscilla's side of the story. Priscilla won't use any of Elvis' music, which further resigns the power from him in this telling of Priscilla Presley's story.

Source: THR