Elvis director Baz Luhrmann reveals a surprising Quentin Tarantino Easter egg in the biopic. The latest biopic about a troubled musician's rise to stardom, Elvis sets itself apart from other films of its kind by focusing on Tom Hanks' character Colonel Tom Parker, who was the late musician's manager. Rather than centering on Elvis' (Austin Butler) experiences through his own eyes, Parker narrates the film in an unreliable fashion, glossing over some big events to suit Parker's interests. Elvis also marks a departure from other biopics due to Luhrmann's direction.
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Known for his unique and extravagant style, Luhrmann has garnered plenty of praise for his signature approach to filmmaking. Films like Moulin Rouge! and Romeo + Juliet cemented the success of his bombastic style of directing, while his adaptation of The Great Gatsby was criticized for its anachronisms. However, Luhrmann's take on The King of Rock and Roll's story has proved that his extravagant flourishes and modern twists can pay off. In Elvis, contemporary music is combined with hits from the 1950s-70s, with original songs by modern artists such as Doja Cat giving the biopic an updated relevance. In addition to adding in songs from today's pop stars, Luhrmann included plenty of Easter eggs in the film, some of which are references to other popular period pieces.
In an exclusive interview with Screen Rant, Luhrmann revealed a major Elvis Easter egg that connects the film to Butler's Once Upon A Time In Hollywood role. Though he admits that the reference could be distracting for viewers, he hopes that it mostly flies under the radar. Check out what he had to say below:
"There's a few Easter eggs in there. There's a moment when the Colonel is reading what's going on in the world, and there's a headline that says Sharon Tate's been murdered. He goes, 'Poor Sharon Tate. Has the world gone mad?' Austin's there, and I don't know if anyone thinks about the fact that Quentin [Tarantino] actually did a movie where Austin was the guy that tried to murder Sharon Tate. I don't think people think about that. Their mind doesn't suddenly go, 'Hang on, that guy there who looks like Elvis and moves like Elvis was the skinny, strange dude with the gun who tried to kill Sharon Tate in [Once Upon A Time in Hollywood].'
I think the mark of a movie is that Austin could have been in Quentin's picture doing that role, and then be in this film. Sharon Tate can come up, but if you're really in the story, you're not thinking about it. There's a lot that I had to leave out, just because I have to stay on point; on the big idea."
Luhrmann refers to Quentin Tarantino's 2019 film Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, which starred Margot Robbie as late actor Sharon Tate and Butler as Charles Watson, a.k.a Tex, a member of the Manson Family cult who participated in Tate's murder. Tate was killed in 1969, which lines her life and death up with the time period covered in Elvis. Butler's participation in both films marks an amusing link between the two vibrant period pieces. However, as Luhrmann says, most audiences wouldn't immediately make the connection between the two films because of Elvis' immersive nature and the focus being on Elvis' relationship with his manager.
The Tarantino Easter egg is a fun footnote in an impressive production with plenty to keep modern audiences entertained and interested. The summer box office hit has scored well financially and among critics, and brought Elvis' story to the screen forty-five years after the singer's passing. With its many pop culture references, pop music, and modern styling, Elvis manages to work as a period piece and biopic that brings 'The King's' story to a new generation, keeping the titular musician's legacy alive.