Baz Luhrmann’s wife, costume and set designer Catherine Martin, has shared the behind-the-scenes secrets of the director’s highly anticipated Elvis biopic.
Speak with Vogue Living’s July/August issue, the four-time Academy Award winner, 57, revealed that she and Baz, 59, were given “unprecedented access to Graceland and its archives.”
Catherine said they wanted to mimic Graceland (Elvis’ mansion) “as accurately as possible” so that viewers would be immersed in the life of the King of Rock and Roll.
Inside: Baz Lurhmann’s wife Catherine Martin (pictured together Thursday) shared behind-the-scenes secrets of the highly anticipated Elvis biopic with Vogue Living’s July/August issue
“As we put on our white gloves and carefully searched the extensive archives of Elvis’s life, we realized just how special this moment was,” Catherine told Vogue Living.
Catherine, who won two Oscars for Moulin Rouge! and two for The Great Gatsby, also revealed they were touring Elvis’ hometown and Memphis.
“It was incredibly important for my team and I to become familiar with Elvis’ Southern experience. We visited both Tupelo (Elvis’ birthplace) and Memphis, and also followed Elvis’s itinerary to take in the topography of the landscape,” she said.
Committed to their craft: The four-time Academy Award winner, 57, revealed that she and Baz, 59, were given “unprecedented access to Graceland and its archives.” Catherine said they wanted to mimic Graceland (Elvis’ mansion, pictured) “as accurately as possible”
Firsthand: Catherine, who won two Oscars for Moulin Rouge! and two for The Great Gatsby, also revealed they were touring Elvis’ hometown and Memphis. “It was incredibly important for my team and I to become familiar with the Southern experience of Elvis,” she said
Catherine’s comments come after Baz revealed he was moved by Priscilla Presley’s praise for the biopic.
The filmmaker was heartbroken when he looked back at Priscilla’s review of the film — which stars Austin Butler as the King of Rock and Roll — in which she described the film about her late former husband as “excellent.”
At a press conference for the film, Baz said, “No criticism, no review would ever mean more to us than that of the woman who married him.
Warm welcome: Catherine’s comments come after Baz revealed he was moved by Priscilla Presley’s praise for the biopic. Baz and Priscilla were photographed earlier this month
“She said, ‘If my husband were here today, he’d say, ‘Damn, you’re me'”… it was the best review I’ve ever had.”
Priscilla married Elvis in 1967, and later divorced in 1973, when she was 27 — and just four years before his death.
Elvis died of a heart attack in 1977, leaving behind daughter Lisa Marie Presley, now 54.
What a movie: The filmmaker was emotional as he looked back on Priscilla’s review of the film — which stars Austin Butler (pictured) as the King of Rock and Roll — in which she described the film about her late former husband as “excellent.”
In the film, Tom Hanks plays Elvis’ manager Colonel Tom Parker, who was infamous for cheating the music icon out of a fair share of royalties for his songs.
But the actor thinks his alter ego should be recognized for his part in making Elvis a megastar.
Tom said, ‘I’ve heard from many people that he was a lovely guy, who lit up every room. Was he a cheap crook who played fast and loose with the money? Yes, [but] he brought joy to everything he did. With a little bit of theft.
At a press conference for the film, Baz said, “No criticism, no review would ever mean more to us than that of the woman who married him.” Pictured is Austin Butler as Elvis in the movie
Memories: Priscilla married Elvis in 1967, and later divorced in 1973, when she was 27 — and just four years before his death. In the photo on their wedding day
“Baz said there was no Elvis without Colonel Tom Parker, it was a completely symbiotic relationship.
“You have to give him credit and see the reality that the number of ways Colonel Parker cheated people for money and pennies was extraordinary.”
The film follows Elvis from his childhood poverty to his rise as a global superstar before his untimely death at the age of just 42 in 1977, and the director wants audiences to get an immersive experience watching the film.
The Moulin Rouge! director said, “I want audiences that don’t care about Elvis to feel what it was like to be there (when he first performed). He was the original punk rocker.”
Tragic loss: Elvis died of a heart attack in 1977 at age 42
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