Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis Presley biopic lands its lead actress as Olivia DeJonge has been casted as the role of Priscilla Presley, according to Deadline. Born Priscilla Ann Wagner in Brooklyn, New York, she met Presley during his tenure in the army in 1959 and married him for six years between 1967 to 1973. Wagner met Presley when she was only 14 as the rock n’ roll legend was 24 at the time.
Wagner ended up becoming the chairperson of Elvis Presley Enterprises, which would eventually help catapult her husband’s mansion Graceland into one of the largest tourist attractions in the United States. The couple had one daughter Lisa Marie in 1968 and would file for divorce four years later in 1972. Wagner would experience a successful acting career appearing alongside Leslie Nielsen in the spoof comedy trilogy Naked Gun.
The untitled biopic examines the King of Rock n’ Roll’s life from his poverty past to his spectacular rise in the music industry. Along his career path Elvis develops a complicated relationship over the course of two decades with his manager Colonel Tom Parker, as well as his initial encounter with first love Priscilla Wagner, a person whom Presley views as essential to his growth.
DeJonge is also known for her roles in The Visit and Sisterhood of the Night.
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