See The First Look At Austin Butler's Take On Elvis In That Upcoming Biopic With Tom Hanks

For a while now, we’ve been wondering just what’s going on with Tom Hanks’ Elvis movie. We've known the Academy Award-winning actor is set to play Colonel Tom Parker in writer/director Baz Luhrmann’s film; however, what the end result might look like has been a bit of a mystery. The questions are only going to deepen from here on out, but at least you can now see the first look at Austin Butler’s Elvis Presley in the upcoming biopic.

Proclaiming it to be “Elvis Monday” on his Twitter feed, Baz Lurhmann thanked his devoted fans with a quick montage of shots that showcase the Once Upon A Time In Hollywood actor’s role as “The King.” What’s more, it looks like we get a quick glimpse of Tom Hanks in action as Col. Parker as well. Yet, the most interesting thing is there looks to be two potential titles at work, for this supposedly still-untitled movie:

Set to the iconic Elvis Presley hit “Suspicious Minds,” we see Austin Butler appear as Elvis himself in a handful of shots. Looking to chronicle the legendary entertainer from his youth, right up to his tragic death, Butler can be spotted portraying various points of Elvis history in this reel. Unfortunately, his face is pretty obscured, and so is that of Tom Hanks, who looks to be present as Col. Tom in that first section. What’s even more mysterious than how this film is going to look is what its going to be called. 

At this moment, Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis biopic is being reported as still untitled. However, this tweet seems to float two potential working titles. If you’re going by the footage shown off, then the title could be assumed to be TCB. That would make sense, as The ‘68 Comeback Special saw the entertainer put on a hell of a live show on TV, after a slump in his career. Luhrmann’s narrative could use that moment as the central focus, with Austin Butler’s younger years as the character coming in and out of view through flashbacks. 

Of course, it doesn’t help that sitting there in the hashtags being used is Elvis, which is a simple but effective title. The only real problem with that is not only does it feel like a basic title, it’s also the name of director John Carpenter’s 1979 TV movie, starring Kurt Russell. Much like a modern reboot of any legendary franchise, you’d have to get very specific with which film you’re talking about. 

After an eventful production that saw Tom Hanks contracting COVID-19, but also the resulting shutdown delaying production, Baz Luhrmann’s vision is finally drawing nearer. Nearly a decade in the works, this version of Elvis Presley’s life story will finally be told to the world. For now, we do know that TCB, Elvis, or whatever this supposedly untitled Elvis Presley movie will eventually be named will be in theaters on June 24, 2022. 

This is just the latest addition to the roll call of movies headed to theaters in the coming year, so be sure to visit the 2022 movie schedule, and see who’s ready to take on The King. One last note: don’t expect this, or any other Warner Bros film, to be a simultaneous premiere on HBO Max in the coming year, as the studio has an exclusivity deal with AMC Theatres that ensures the 2022 slate of titles will be theatrical exclusives upon opening.