Rapper G-Eazy joins list of stars in the running to play Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann biopic after 'pitching himself' to director
- The rapper is a big fan of the icon and has met with Luhrmann several times to pitch himself for the role
- Harry Styles , Ansel Elgort and Miles Teller are all in the running for the lead role in the forthcoming movie about the King of Rock 'n' Roll
- According to The Wrap, each contender has screen tested to play the iconic singer
- Luhrmann will direct the movie and he previously said he was keen to hire a newcomer to play the late musician, who died in 1977 aged 42
G-Eazy is in talks to play Elvis Presley in the new Baz Luhrmann biopic.
The Oakland-born rapper was not among the big names revealed last week who are being considered for the iconic role but he has reportedly pitched himself to play the King of Rock and Roll.
TMZ reports that G-Eazy, 30, has thrown himself into the mix, meeting with studio execs at Warner Bros. and also spent some time with director Luhrmann in New York last month, making it clear how serious he is about portraying Presley.
Throwing his hat in the ring: G-Eazy has pitched himself to play Elvis Presley in the upcoming biopic directed by Baz Luhrmann
G-Eazy - real name Gerald Earl Gillum - has made no secret of his admiration of the singer, who passed away in 1977, and in recent weeks he sported an Elvis-style outfit in a selection of Instagram snaps while quoting lyrics from the late heartthrob's Don't Be Cruel.
If he lands the role it will be G-Eazy's first feature movie. The hip hop star's acting experience has consisted mainly of shorts and music videos previously.
And there will be some competition for the No Limit rapper as some big name stars are being considered for the role with Harry Styles, Ansel Elgort and Miles Teller among those being considered for the forthcoming biopic.
The One Direction hunk, the Baby Driver actor and the Whiplash star are all in the running for the lead role.
According to The Wrap, each contender has screen tested to play the iconic singer.
G-Eazy - real name Gerald Earl Gillum - has made no secret of his admiration of the singer (pictured here) who passed away in 1977
Starring role: Harry Styles, Ansel Elgort and Miles Teller are among those being considered to play Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann's forthcoming biopic
Luhrmann will direct the movie and has penned the script alongside Craig Pearce, and the filmmaker previously said he was keen to hire a newcomer to play the late musician, who died in 1977 aged 42.
The director is said to be keen to begin production on the project later this year. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood star Austin Butler and Kick-Ass actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson are also said to be in the running.
Tom Hanks is currently on board to play Presley's manager Colonel Tom Parker, who died in 1997 aged 87 and spotted Elvis when he was relatively unknown in the 1950s, initially helping him with bookings and promotion before becoming his manager.
He went on to arrange the music legend's deal with RCA, and the singer's first single with the label, 'Heartbreak Hotel', set him on the way to stardom after it was released in January 1956.
Here he comes! The One Direction hunk, the Baby Driver actor and the Whiplash star are all in the running for the lead role in the forthcoming movie about the King of Rock 'n' Roll
One Direction to the big screen? Harry's edgy retro styling is not a million miles away from Elvis
In 1987, Parker admitted he didn't get involved in Elvis' musical decisions, but did urge the star to record his 1969 hit 'Are You Lonesome Tonight' because he felt the tune was "good for him".
Hanks is no stranger to playing real-life figures, having starred as Walt Disney in Saving Mr. Banks and astronaut Jim Lovell in Apollo 13, among others.
Harry was met with praise for his acting debut in Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk in 2017 and in January it was reported that he was keen to focus on his acting career instead of making music, as it was also revealed he has 'no desire' to reunite with 1D.
A source speaking to The Sun, explained: 'Since stepping away from 1D, Harry has really enjoyed life outside that pop bubble. Acting is something he really enjoys and he's been working behind the camera on a number of different projects.
You've got Miles to go! Miles Teller is hot on the heels of the 1D hunk in the running
Not a million Miles away? All the contenders have dabbled in Elvis's styling in the past
Hmm... Ansel Elgort has made it into the running for the biopic
'Harry has a base in LA and is ensconced with James Corden and his producer Ben Winston there. And right now he has absolutely no desire to get 1D back together.'
The publication also claimed that Harry has started to take steps to close his Erskine Touring Company later this year, as it is set to be taken off the register at Companies House.
One Direction went on a hiatus in January 2016 and the five members (Liam Payne, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Harry and Zayn Malik) have all enjoyed hugely successful solo careers.
In the running: Ansel has been added to the list of stars alleged to be vying for the part
Starring role: Tom Hanks is currently on board to play Presley's manager Colonel Tom Parker, who died in 1997 aged 87 and spotted Elvis when he was relatively unknown in the 1950s
