During the 2023 NYFF, the Priscilla cast and filmmakers talk about the making of the film, the Elvis estate, and more.
Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla hits theaters on November 3rd and ahead of it’s release the cast and crew gave us an inside look to the making of the film.
“In the morning I’d be pregnant and after lunch I’d be 14” – Cailee Spaeny (Priscilla)
One of the most surprising reveals that the creatives behind the film gave was that the film was shot in 30 days. The producer said it was initially 40, they knew they couldn’t do it in under 35, but settled at 30. This was so surprising because the film managed to feel grand in its sets that I assumed the production must have been much longer.
Cailee joked that she would play multiple decades of Priscilla in one day and it made complete sense with the amount of time that this film spans over, in addition to the quick shooting schedule.
“We were jumping out of the plane and making the parachute as we were landing” – Youree Henley (Producer)
Even though the shooting schedule itself was tight, the producer revealed that the entirety of the filmmaking process on this film was tough. From its conception, the film was a second idea between director Sofia Coppola and Henley. Additionally they had a problem getting a budget for the movie, with the fact that to an extent this is an ‘anti-elvis’ looking movie, backers were difficult to find.
On top of that with Elvis (2022) there was already a big problem with the Elvis estate. Of course last year’s Elvis film views Elvis in such a bright light and the estate despises this film, so it isn’t the best situation for a smaller film like this to be made.
The film also does not include any Elvis music which makes sense as the producer revealed that they just didn’t get the clearance to use it – also making a point that this is a film about Priscilla, not Elvis, meaning that the music itself never needed to be at the forefront.
One thing that filmmaker Sofia Coppola knew from the start was the actress and actor she wanted portraying Priscilla and Elvis. Though it wasn’t specified if the script was written with them in mind, according to the producer both Cailee and Jacob were their first choices for the lead roles.
“The biggest thing for me was trying to identify and find where the human being was under all the glitz and the gold and the voice and the caricature.” – Jacob Elordi (Elivs)
As Jacob spoke on his portrayal of Elvis it was apparent that the entire notion of the film was very against the public side of Elvis. As Priscilla’s story is one untold, the performance Jacob delivers alongside Cailee is heartbreaking and every revelation is executed so well.
The film explores nearly the entire relationship between the 2, spanning decades. According to Elordi, when him and Cailee would sit down to review the script she would have every year noted on the script along with everything that happened between cuts in the script.
“I was surprised that this wasn’t sort of common knowledge of her side so it was definitely new to me” – Cailee Spaeny (Priscilla)
Cailee along with the rest of the crew expressed their genuine care for the story which was nice to see since the movie felt like a very sincere telling of events. The producer also revealed that director Sofia Coppola would take a step off set to talk to Priscilla about anything regarding the film. The film is based off of Priscilla’s biographical book, Elvis and Me – so though Coppola made some of her own changes, she was true to and had the blessings of Priscilla herself.
NEXT: Maestro Filmmakers Discuss Working With Bradley Cooper
About Priscilla
When teenager Priscilla Beaulieu meets Elvis Presley at a party, the man who’s already a meteoric rock ‘n’ roll superstar becomes someone entirely unexpected in private moments: a thrilling crush, an ally in loneliness, and a gentle best friend.
From Academy Award winning writer/director Sofia Coppola and starring Jacob Elordi and Cailee Spaeny.
Priscilla arrives in theaters November 3rd.
Aryan is an aspiring content creator and journalist who loves all genres of movies. He is passionate about discussing and having conversations about anything and everything pop culture related.