Elvis Estate Slams New ‘Priscilla’ Biopic As ‘Just Horrific’

Just as dramatic as the life and times of Elvis Presley is the life of his only wife, Priscilla. The Naked Gun actress is getting a biographical film directed by Sophia Coppola and a teaser has just come out to give fans a taste of what to expect. The Elvis estate has weighed in on the new Priscilla biopic and so far the reviews are unfavorable.

Elvis Presley’s estate is formally known as Elvis Presley Enterprises and was created by The Elvis Presley Trust to conduct business, manage assets, and oversee anything pertaining to the King’s legacy, including Graceland, Elvis-related music, films, stage productions, and the like. Prior to her death earlier this year, Presley’s daughter Lisa Marie retained 15% ownership of the company.

The Elvis Presley Estate slams the upcoming ‘Priscilla’ biopic

Last week, A24 released a teaser trailer of their Priscilla biopic which, while generating excitement and praise from fans, has been condemned by the Elvis estate. One estate official called it “horrible,” telling TMZ, “It feels like a college movie. The set designs are just horrific, it’s not what Graceland looks like.”

RELATED: New ‘Priscilla’ Biopic Teaser Features Whirlwind Romance With Elvis Presley

Estate officials also claim Priscilla was “produced without the Estate’s knowledge or consent” and further slammed it as a “money grab.”

The film stars Cailee Spaeny as Priscilla and Jacob Elordi as Elvis. While Baz Luhrmann’s latest successful Elvis biopic, starring Austin Butler, told of the King’s rise to fame – primarily through his manager Colonel Tom Parker’s point of view – Priscilla will follow along her early romance at just 14, told from her own point of view. So, what does Priscilla think of the film?

Priscilla Presley has a very different opinion

The teaser is less than a minute long, but so far, Priscilla couldn’t disagree more. “I am very excited to see the interpretation of my book by the masterful Sofia Coppola,” she told TMZ. “She has such an extraordinary perspective and I have always been such an admirer of her work. I’m certain this movie will take everyone on an emotional journey.”

An Elvis estate insider, however, calls this too a money grab from Priscilla. “Everyone here was shocked when we read Priscilla’s release, she’s talking as if she hasn’t seen the movie and seen what a piece of garbage it is,” the insider said. “This is just another example of Priscilla squeezing every dollar out of her relationship with Elvis and not caring about the ramifications.”

Coppola was drawn to telling Priscilla’s story because of her memoir, Elvis and Me. “I read it again and was really moved by her story,” said Coppola. “I came up against a few hurdles, so I just decided to pivot to making one film with one idea. I was just so interested in Priscilla’s story and her perspective on what it all felt like to grow up as a teenager in Graceland. She was going through all the stages of young womanhood in such an amplified world – kinda similar to Marie Antoinette.”

What do you think of the biopic so far?