Warner Bros. Discovery is giving director Baz Lurhmann’s “Elvis,” starring Austin Butler and Tom Hanks, a little help on its path to potential Oscar glory, with free screenings scheduled for Presley’s birthday, the January 8, in ten select North American markets. . Beginning at 4 pm in Los Angeles and 5 pm in all other markets, the shows will also feature the 30-minute special “Just a Boy From Tupelo: Bringing Elvis to the Big Screen.”
“We are very grateful to audiences of all ages who came to see the film in theaters,” said Lurhmann, “and to Warner Bros. and the exhibitors who accepted what was certainly not a safe bet. A big thank you to the audience that made ‘Elvis’ the number one original title of 2022, and especially to Elvis fans both old and new. The entire ‘Elvis’ team, along with Graceland and the Presleys themselves, have listened to all of you and have worked diligently to create these very special gifts to celebrate Elvis’ birthday.”
Tickets will be available at no cost to moviegoers on a first-come, first-serve basis. herefor the following locations:
- Atlanta: AMC Phipps Plaza
- Chicago: AMC East River 21
- Dallas: AMC North Park 15
- Kansas City: AMC Town Center 20, Leawood
- Los Angeles: AMC Burbank
- New York: AMC Loews 34the Street
- San Francisco: AMC Meteron
- Toronto: Scotiabank Theater Toronto by Cineplex
- Vancouver: Cineplex Odeon International Village Cinemas
Meanwhile, Presley’s family home, Graceland, will host four days of special events honoring the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll along with an exhibit “The Making of Elvis,” showcasing paraphernalia, sketches, costumes and accessories seen at the Warner Bros. Launch of Discovery. A never-before-released “Elvis” song, the Britney Spears x Elvis Presley mix “Toxic Las Vegas: Jamieson Shaw Remix,” will debut next Friday and “Elvis” Cast Town Hall will air on SirusXM’s Elvis Radio this weekend .
Fans will be encouraged to celebrate on social media with the #ElvisbirthdayChallenge, and other birthday events include:
- Elvis Movie Marathon and Club Elvis Hawaiian Style Dinner, Dance and “Blue Hawaii” (January 5),
- Excursion from Graceland to Tupelo; Archives Show and Tell; Annual Elvis Birthday Pops Concert with Terry Mike Jeffrey and the Memphis Symphony Orchestra (January 6).
- Conversations with Elvis with host Tom Brown, guests Hal Lansky, Glen Hardin and Alton Mason, who plays Little Richard in the film; Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii 50the Anniversary Concert (January 7).
- Elvis’ birthday proclamation ceremony, with free online viewing via Graceland’s Livestream page; Lisa Marie Presley, along with special guest Alton Mason, will join the ceremony which will take place on the mansion’s front lawn at 8:30 am (January 8).
- The presentation of “The Making of Elvis” in Elvis Presley’s Memphis, a new exhibit in association with Warner Bros., the National Film and Sound Archives of Australia and Luhrmann, exploring the beginning of the film’s creative process through its journey to the big screen; Alton Mason will also be on hand for the opening (8th January).
- Graceland will offer new “Elvis” Movie Ultimate VIP (UVIP) tours for a limited time beginning January 9 and running through the entire month of February.
Throughout the weekend, fans in town can also experience Graceland’s Christmas tours in the afternoon and UVIP’s Christmas tours at night. Information about all events can be found at Graceland.com.
Memphis, home to Presley’s beloved Graceland, will also host an afternoon screening at 2:00 pm at the estate’s Guest House Theater for fans in town for Elvis’ birthday celebration. Tickets will be available here.
“No one held his fans dearer than Elvis, as evidenced by the pilgrimage so many make to Graceland each year,” said Joel Weinshanker, managing partner and majority owner of Elvis Presley Enterprises. “That’s why we’re especially excited to partner with Warner Bros. on the occasion of Elvis Presley’s birthday, to add to our strong lineup for fans the gift of Baz Luhrmann’s incomparable film ELVIS, whether they’re seeing it for the first time. or, as we suspect, capable of repeating the big-screen experience they’ve no doubt been waiting for.”
Elvis Presley was born on January 8, 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi, and died at the age of 42 on August 16, 1977. This year he would have been 88 years old.
The movie “Elvis” was a critical and commercial success last year, grossing $151 million domestically and $286 million worldwide on an $85 million budget, and remains Warner Bros.’ biggest awards season nominee. Discovery for the upcoming Academy Awards.
