Lisa Marie Presley expressed shock and horror over the depiction of her father, Elvis Presley, in Sofia Coppola’s new film “Priscilla” before her death earlier this year. In two emails obtained exclusively by Variety, Presley pleaded with Coppola to reconsider her vision for the character and spare her family public embarrassment. The emails, sent four months prior to Presley’s fatal cardiac arrest, described the script as “shockingly vengeful and contemptuous.”
In her messages, Presley also urged Coppola to refrain from straining her fragile relationship with her mother, Priscilla Presley, who is the film’s subject. She expressed concern about bringing scrutiny on Elvis’ living grandchildren, who were still grieving the loss of Lisa Marie Presley’s son, Benjamin Keough, in 2020.
“Priscilla” is a biopic based on Priscilla Presley’s 1985 memoir, “Elvis and Me.” It has sparked conversation among critics and audiences for its portrayal of Elvis and Priscilla’s courtship, which began when Priscilla was 14 and Elvis was 24 in Germany in 1959. Lisa Marie Presley criticized the script, stating that her father only came across as a “predator and manipulative.”
Presley warned Coppola that she would openly express her disapproval of the project and her mother’s involvement in it. Despite Coppola’s response expressing hope that Presley would feel differently after seeing the final film, Presley remained doubtful. She was concerned that her mother did not understand the intentions behind the film or the potential outcome it would have.
The insider close to the film revealed that Presley’s communications with Coppola were shared with Priscilla Presley and Lisa Marie’s daughter, Riley Keough. Coppola has been careful when addressing questions about the age difference between Elvis and Priscilla, stating that she tried not to be judgmental and focused on each character’s perspective.
The emails shed light on the struggles Hollywood faces when creating art around the legacies of iconic figures like Elvis. They also reflect the personal stakes involved for Lisa Marie Presley, who had to explain to her young daughter the negative portrayal of her grandfather in the film. Presley praised the 2022 film “Elvis,” directed by Baz Luhrmann, as a true depiction of who her father was, and questioned Coppola’s need to tarnish his image in contrast.
“Priscilla” opened in limited release on October 27 and has received both positive and negative reviews. Audiences and critics have discussed the age gap and power dynamics between Elvis and Priscilla portrayed in the film. Despite the controversies surrounding the film, Lisa Marie Presley’s concerns and objections remain a significant part of the ongoing conversation.