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More Details CBS Elvis Special

June 11, 2004 | Other
CBS is whipping up a big hunk of burnin' love for the King of Rock 'n Roll a new four-hour movie about Elvis Presley. The film, tentatively titled "Elvis" will be the first-ever TV movie to use the master recordings of some of Presley's biggest hits, according to Variety.

It's slated to air sometime next season, presumably during a sweeps period. The actor who will play Elvis has not yet been cast. But co-producer Howard Braunstein says the most important element for going forward with the film was getting Presley's estate involved.

"We thought that if you're going to do this right, you just can't do it without their cooperation", said Braunstein. "They're going to open their archives for us, and that means we really get first-hand information about his life rather than just some biography".

Past TV projects about Presley have used Elvis sound-alikes to record the King's songs, while individual songs have been licensed for some feature film soundtracks. "When our Elvis actor opens up his mouth, it'll be Elvis' voice that comes out," said co-producer Robert Greenblatt. The producers are also promising a "warts and all" version of Presley's story, despite the cooperation of the singer's estate. "The estate understands that you need to tell the true version of his story," says Braunstein. "And hopefully, with access to the archives, we can learn all sorts of new and provocative things. 'The estate is not afraid of doing the darker side [of Presley]" says Braunstein. "It just wants it done with class and integrity, like. [2001's] Judy Garland [made for-TV] movie.

Although there have been many Elvis TV movies and feature films in the past, Braunstein thinks there's still room for another King-themed project. The film's producers say that "Elvis" will not follow the singer's whole life, but will focus on just one part of it. However, they are not sure which part yet. Presley died in 1977 at the age of 42 from a heart attack.
Source:Variety
CD King wrote on June 13, 2004
Who is going to play ELVIS? Maybe they should try out ex-American Idol WILLIAM HUNG? His manager claims that he's going to be the next Elvis Presley.
TonyP wrote on June 14, 2004
I'd definitely vote against Kurt Russell playing Elvis again. He's 53 and it would be retreading old ground. ooking at the above, it would seem that the producers don't have a clue what they are aiming for yet. There is clearly no script as they haven't even decided what point of Elvis' career to focus on. For me, the rise to fame would be the most interesting period to cover in detail. This should be done without the cliches and veering away from simply rehashing the seminal points. Let's see Elvis from mid-teens to early 20s, with events like his attendance of the all night gospel sessions covered. We should see a good deal of Elvis' day to day existence, so that the audience engages with the character over the course of the show. I've had enough of the caricaturing of Elvis - even the best film and tv efforts to cover his life are guilty of that. No stone should be left unturned in ensuring the accuracy of this show. There's so much good research already done, that there is simply no excuse for glaring errors of the kind seen in the 1979 Elvis Movie. Even small details like Elvis' hair should be done right - it grates on me everytime I see the high school sequences with Kurt Russell :-) I just hope the actor that is chosen does not portray Elvis in a cliched way.
Son Of Mark 64 wrote on June 12, 2004
Elvis of the 70's is the greatest part of his life of course except for his death Liberance costumes what a cheek
TCBn with TLC Bet wrote on June 13, 2004
Kurt Russell is the one who should play Elvis...he is in great shape and can look in his 20's-40's with makeup. He has done the best portrayal of anyone...after all, he is a real actor, a fine actor, and when he played Elvis before, he said he went on his memories as a child in his role in "It Happened at the World's Fair." Wonder if we can get a draft Kurt petition going??
kurtz423 wrote on June 11, 2004
I just hope it'll be the Rockin' Rebel and not the guy who wore Liberace's costumes.
Abidaslam1 wrote on June 13, 2004
To tell you the truth no one can play Elvis. It is an impossibility. He was too unique. Maybe someone can get the voice right, another the look. However that certain something will always be missing. It is far better for EPE to concentrate on a comprehensive documentary using their archives.
bandit64 wrote on June 12, 2004
Liberace costumes you have to be kidding me!!! to me i will take Elvis in the lates 60's & 70-75 over the 50's anyday.
JC´ wrote on June 13, 2004
Johny Deep is perfect for the role.Anytime of the Elvis life is interesting,so I think that they´ll do a good job.
Guitar Man wrote on June 13, 2004
I think this is the wrong approach to this project by getting somebody to play Elvis.I'm in agreement with Abidaslam here- Elvis was unique and a complete one off and it's been proven a hundred times before in the past with all the other hundreds of TV & Film Bio's we've had to suffer over the last 25+ years, no one out there has ever managed to be good enough to cut the mustard. The time is long overdue to give Elvis the respect he deserves by making an in depth TV Anthology about the man,his music,influences and life. If a TV Script writer could put into pictures what Peter Gurilnik did with words in "Last Train To Memphis" we would have a fantastic insight into this poor white boy who absorbed all the musical influences around him and went on to turn the world upside down.There is enough film footage of Elvis to do this and there are still enough of his contempories around to add their thoughts and feelings. The world is very much smaller today with all the technology available, and it makes it harder to appreciate as time goes by,the extent of the global magnitude and stardom Elvis achieved without the use of MTV or the internet.This type of approach, with a prime TV slot,would give Joe Public a lot more of an understanding about how great he was as well as pleasing the fan base. I can see the critics having a field day with this type of warts and all tabloid-esque content, and we will be back to the "Fat & Drugged Elvis" scenerio we've had to endure in the past. As well as having some glorified Elvis impersonator in the lead role trying to pull off the impossible,and failing miserably.
King Of Western Bop wrote on June 12, 2004
I just hope it'll be a fair, honest representation of Elvis, no matter what part of his life they choose to portray. Whether it was the sports jacket & baggy slacks image of the '50s, the tailored suits image of the '60s, or the jumpsuited image of the '70's - Elvis deserves better than some of the lamentable efforts of the past. The balance has to be just right.
elvishimselvis wrote on June 13, 2004
I would love Kurt russell to play elvis. But isnt he close to 60 now. I dont see how he could play Elvis in his 20's. even with makeup. this is going to be the most important part. Please pick the right person. maybe he could be an unknown. as look as he looks the part. and Please dont use the guy from Elvis and Me.
Riozzi wrote on June 14, 2004
i think kurt russell would be terriffic to play the older elvis,yes he could still do it. He looked as if he was enjoying himself on the end credits of 3000 miles to graceland. How about not just using the classics but some gospel and lesser known recordings ( to the general public)like 'piecesof my life', fairytale etc. I also think you have to show the final months of elvis's life to give the movie more balance. But don't dwell to much on the negative aspects of those months,but rather on the fact that he poured his heart and soul out in some of those last concerts.Let the public watch and i am sure most people will agree he was good,no the best.
river wrote on May 12, 2005
Last night my family and I sat down to watch the second part of the "Elvis" miniseries on CBS. What happened? This was advertised (marketed) as if all the other Elvis movies were fictitious but this one was going to be "The true Elvis untold story". What hype! There were so many distortions of the real 'facts' that you could drive a truck through them. Scenes that were completely made up from what we already know was the truth. Elvis never had the guts to try to leave Parker until '74, not '68 as just one example. And what about the 'actor' who was supposed to be Steve Binder? Short and blond?! I've seen Binder in person and he's well over 6 feet and dark hair. Give me a break. And speaking of Binder, how come not once was his last name ever mentioned? Binder, (and Sam Phillips) were the REAL heroes of the movie but by never mentioning Binder's last name, the Producers made sure he would never get any of the credit he so much deserves. Olivia Daven, Los Angeles