The actor is in advanced talks to play the part of the late singer's manager
Tom Hanks is reportedly set to play Colonel Tom Parker in the forthcoming Elvis Presley biopic.
Romeo + Juliet and The Great Gatsby director Baz Luhrmann is in charge of the project, which is still untitled. The Australian filmmaker has co-written the screenplay with Craig Pearce.
Variety reports that Hanks is currently in talks with producers to start as Elvis’ manager Parker, who came across the singer in 1955 and subsequently signed him up as an exclusive client the following year. Parker, who was born in the Netherlands, was largely responsible for a number of milestone moments in Elvis’ career, including the successful negotiation of his landmark record contract with RCA.
Luhrmann is reportedly seeking an unknown actor for the main role of Elvis, with the director apparently meeting potential candidates at present.
Baz Luhrmann
It’s also thought that, should Hanks agree to play Parker, Warner Bros. will likely allocate a significant budget for Luhrmann’s picture – with the director reportedly seeking to start production on the biopic later this year.
Hanks is currently finishing filming A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, in which he’ll play the beloved US TV host Mr. Rogers. Later this summer, he’ll make what will likely be his final Toy Story bow when the fourth film in the franchise is released.
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