Ever since it was announced that Austin Butler was cast to play Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann’s upcoming movie, he and his girlfriend Vanessa Hudgens have been followed and bombarded by paparazzi, day and night. And coincidentally or not, Austin seems to LOOK more like Elvis every day…
Above, Austin and Vanessa at the premier of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
We were disappointed that Aaron Taylor-Johnson didn’t land the Elvis role in Baz Luhrmann’s upcoming film, but we realized that Aaron MIGHT not be much of a singer, so Austin Butler could be the logical choice. Austin, 27, DOES have the right hair for the role (did you know Elvis was born a blonde?) Hard to believe, but Austin and Vanessa Hudgens have been together since 2011. Come to think of it, she would be a really cute Priscilla Presley. No doubt Austin is busy practicing how to curl his lip like Elvis.
Above, Austin Butler and Vanessa Hudgens talk to a fan from their limo window
Photo Credit: BACKGRID-USA
Young actors in Hollywood with a “certain look” are panting to get a chance to audition to play Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann’s upcoming Elvis film. Tom Hanks has already been cast as Elvis’s manager Colonel Parker – we didn’t realize the entrepreneurial Dutch-born Parker started out as a carnival barker. Of all the young actors under consideration, we think Aaron Taylor-Johnson would make a great Elvis. (He was the sexy hillbilly in Nocturnal Animals) But we might be in for a surprise – Luhrmann really wants to hire a “new face” for the important role. Could be a life-changer…
PHOTO: Colonel Parker and Elvis in the 50’s
This week is the 40th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s death and Graceland in Memphis is a mob scene as usual. It’s amazing how that hillbilly singer became a lifetime idol for so many. (We always loved his collar-up bad boy look from the 50’s) We did have one memorable but short personal encounter with Elvis. One day we were driving our sparkling turquoise blue convertible on Sunset Strip waiting patiently at a red light. A long black limo pulled up next to us and a guy in the passenger seat turned around and looked us right in the eye and said “Hiya, baby!” That crooked smile! It was ELVIS! We felt our body temperature immediately change and we absolutely froze. The light changed and the limo zoomed away before we could stammer a response! It was a little bit of heaven…
Photo Credit: Pacific Coast News
It had to be painkillers that took Prince from us too soon – but many questions are still unanswered. His Percocet overdose that caused his plane to land in Illinois for emergency treatment tells a lot of the story. But one wonders if Prince ever really HAD the double hip replacement he supposedly needed in 2009. His Jehovah’s Witness religion forbade the surgery, but did Prince do it anyway? He also had foot pain from wearing those high heels at all times – even when physically active. (Recently he’d been wearing high heel sneakers.) He was vocal about NOT doing drugs, but, like Elvis Presley, was he convinced that PRESCRIPTION drugs were okay? Prince and Elvis both lived in insulated worlds, convinced they had special needs others didn’t have, and therefore self-medicating was acceptable. Apparently Michael Jackson, Prince, and many others did NOT learn a lesson from Elvis’s death.
Photo Credit: AKM-GSI
Golden Globe nominee Michael Shannon (99 Homes) has a big year ahead of him. All evidence points to him evolving into the next REALLY BIG STAR. His intensity and ability to make slightly unhinged characters fascinating has made him a hot commodity. In 2016 he has 10 films set to be released! The one we can’t wait to see is “Elvis & Nixon” – Shannon stars as Elvis Presley and Kevin Spacey plays Richard Nixon.
Photo Credit: AKM-GSI
The house that Elvis Presley and his bride Priscilla occupied in 1966 to 1967 is up for sale in Palm Springs again. The mid-century structure is gorgeous – it consists of three round stories – there’s not a square corner in the whole place. Architect William Krisel designed the 4962 sq ft,4 bedroom 5 bath home in 1962, and all this magnificent house needs is a little love – and good taste. The tacky décor tries to look original but falls flat. The fireplace is a killer. Million dollar Listing realtors, the Altman brothers tried to sell the house for 8.5 million with no luck. It’s now listed at Trulia for less than 7 million. A loving restoration is in order.
It’s been a big year for Elvis Presley’s beautiful granddaughter Riley Keough, 26. She married an Australian stuntman, Ben Smith-Peterson, and she just finished starring in an anthology series for Starz called The Girlfriend Experience. Riley plays a successful NY career girl who becomes fascinated when a friend introduces her to the world of transactional relationships – where men PAY to spend time with attractive women. Almost like a real girlfriend, but money changes hands. Hence, the business is called “The Girlfriend Experience.” In the photo above, Riley is promoting the series at Cannes. A few days ago she walked the runway in the Balenciaga show during Paris Fashion Week.
Photo Credit: Pacific Coast News
Once upon a time, even celebrities served in the armed forces! Probably the most celebrated (besides Clark Gable and Jimmy Stewart) was Elvis Presley. When he got his military haircut it made the front pages! However, Memorial Day is not to be taken lightly – we do appreciate every soldier who helped this country remain free. It’s a good day to watch American Sniper again
Today would have been Elvis Presley’s 80th birthday and we love any excuse to publish an early photo of what might have been the best looking entertainer of all time. One of the things we loved best about Elvis was the fact that he took delight in giving away gorgeous Cadillacs to friends and strangers! Imagine some wealthy entertainer doing that today – it will never happen!
