Before her untimely death earlier this year, Lisa Marie Presley expressed shock and horror over the portrayal of her father, Elvis Presley, in Sofia Coppola’s upcoming film “Priscilla.” In a series of exclusive emails obtained by Variety, Presley pleaded with Coppola to reconsider her vision for the character and spare her family from public embarrassment. These messages were sent four months prior to Presley’s fatal cardiac arrest in January.
In her emails, Presley described the script as “shockingly vengeful and contemptuous” and implored Coppola to protect her fragile relationship with her mother, Priscilla Presley, who is the subject of the film. Presley also expressed concern about the potential scrutiny Elvis’ grandchildren would face as they continue to mourn the loss of Lisa Marie’s son, Benjamin Keough, who passed away in 2020.
“Priscilla” is a biopic based on Priscilla Presley’s memoir “Elvis and Me” from 1985. The film has generated discussion among critics and viewers due to its portrayal of Elvis and Priscilla’s courtship, which began when Priscilla was 14 and Elvis was 24.
Presley’s emails emphasized that she did not see her father or her mother’s perspective in the character depicted in the script. She questioned Coppola’s motivations behind the unflattering portrayal and expressed her confusion and disappointment.
Coppola had not yet started filming “Priscilla” when Presley reached out, but Presley made it clear that she would publicly denounce the project and her mother’s involvement if necessary. Despite being an awards season contender, the film received limited release on October 27 and is set to expand its distribution on Friday.
Coppola’s representative responded to the exchange, stating that the director’s intention was to honor Priscilla Presley while presenting Elvis with sensitivity and complexity. Priscilla Presley and the film’s distributor, A24, declined to comment on the matter.
Insiders close to the film revealed that the emails were exchanged on September 2, 2022, just weeks before production was scheduled to begin. The source stated that the film strictly adhered to the events described in “Elvis and Me” and made efforts to tone down certain aspects of the couple’s courtship that might be deemed shocking today. The primary focus of the film is Priscilla’s struggle to adapt to life with a globally renowned superstar.
“Priscilla” premiered at the Venice Film Festival and received positive reviews, particularly praising Cailee Spaeny’s performance. Critics and viewers alike have noted the age gap and power dynamics between the on-screen portrayal of Elvis (played by Jacob Elordi) and Priscilla. The film explores the emotional toll of psychological abuse on partners, and some social media users have accused Elvis of “grooming” Priscilla. Overall, the film aligns with Coppola’s acclaimed filmography and presents a story about a young woman’s life in a restrictive environment.
Lisa Marie Presley doubted whether her mother would grasp the modern interpretation of her experience, expressing concerns that Priscilla did not fully comprehend the impact the film would have on how Elvis is perceived. Presley also appealed to Coppola’s own Hollywood legacy, questioning why the director would target her father and family in this way.
According to sources, Lisa Marie Presley shared her communication with Coppola with Priscilla Presley and her daughter, Riley Keough. Coppola has approached questions about the age difference between Elvis and Priscilla with sensitivity and without passing judgment. Priscilla has clarified in various interviews that she and Elvis did not engage in sexual intimacy when she was 14 and has expressed her love for the film.
The emails highlight the difficulties faced by Hollywood when creating art centered around the legacies of iconic figures like Elvis. Estates representing deceased stars often find themselves embroiled in disputes regarding adapted content, and in this case, Elvis Presley Enterprises denied the use of his music catalogue for “Priscilla.” Lisa Marie Presley’s emails reveal the personal stakes involved for her, her mother, and her daughters, who have already experienced significant challenges and loss.
Presley concluded her second email to Coppola by sharing a poignant anecdote about her young daughter’s reaction to news of the film’s production. She expressed concern about the negative portrayal of her grandfather and the impact it may have on her family. Presley praised the recently released film “Elvis,” directed by Baz Luhrmann, as a depiction that brought pride and solace to her daughters.
Presley expressed her confusion and disappointment with Coppola’s decision to tarnish her father’s legacy and questioned the director’s dark and jaded perspective. These emails shed light on the delicate balance between artistic interpretation and the preservation of an icon’s memory.
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