Lisa Marie Presley's Harsh Critique of Sofia Coppola's 'Priscilla' Film Prior to Her Passing
Lisa Marie Presley vehemently opposed Sofia Coppola's 'Priscilla' movie, labeling it as vengeful and contemptuous Prior to her untimely demise, she made it clear that she would openly voice her criticisms against the director's work
Bryan Steffy/WireImage
Lisa Marie Presley was not happy with Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla film — or the script’s depiction of father Elvis Presley — before her death.
Lisa Marie expressed her thoughts on her father, describing him as only appearing as a predator and manipulative. She stated that she did not see any resemblance to her father or her mother's perspective in the character being portrayed. Lisa Marie expressed her confusion towards the director's vengeful and contemptuous perspective, questioning the reasons behind it. In a subsequent email, she warned the director that she would publicly express her opposition to the film if it moved forward, going against both her mother and the project. These emails were sent four months before Lisa Marie's passing in January at the age of 54 due to a fatal cardiac arrest.
Priscilla, both directed and produced by Coppola, features Cailee Spaeny and Jacob Elordi as the lead actors. The film explores the romantic relationship between Elvis and Priscilla Presley, which began at the ages of 24 and 14 respectively. Drawing inspiration from Priscilla's memoir "Elvis and Me" published in 1985, the movie delves into their sometimes turbulent relationship through her youthful perspective. Earlier this year, Priscilla was selected to be part of the Venice Film Festival, receiving rave reviews and earning Spaeny, who is 25 years old, the prestigious best actress award.
Priscilla, 85, praised Coppola for doing an exceptional job with the film and expressed her gratitude for the effort put into it. On the other hand, Lisa Marie conveyed her concerns via emails, expressing her worry that her mother may not fully grasp the subtleties of the film or comprehend how it will impact the perception of Elvis. Lisa Marie emphasized her protective feelings towards her mother, who has dedicated her entire life to preserving her father's legacy.
Lisa Marie commended Baz Luhrmann's 2022 biopic about Elvis, describing it as a refreshing escape from hardship and a source of hope. The film had a profound impact on Lisa Marie's 15-year-old twins, Harper and Finley Lockwood, who were filled with pride and gratitude to be the grandchildren of such an iconic figure. (Harper and Finley are Lisa Marie's children with her former spouse, Michael Lockwood. She is also a mother to Riley and Benjamin, who she shares with her ex, Danny Keough.) According to Lisa Marie, the biopic provided a brief respite from the challenges of life and offered an authentic portrayal of Elvis, which deeply resonated with everyone involved.
Lisa Marie observed that Harper had received a trade announcement regarding Priscilla's involvement in a production. She expressed concern that her family would have to face another challenge, as a movie about her grandfather was being made with the intention of portraying him negatively, despite it being untrue.
She further explained that she had to inform Harper that her beloved grandmother was supporting the project. Lisa Marie emphasized that her two young daughters had already endured significant hardships over the past seven years, including her divorce, a dreadful custody battle, and the loss of their brother. All of them had been overwhelmed and struggling to cope.
A24 Films
In response, she questioned Coppola's motive for trying to undermine her father after his remarkable film, using the pretext of portraying her mother's story from Coppola's own cynical and gloomy perspective.
Coppola responded to Lisa Marie’s claims in a statement to Variety from her representative on Thursday. In the statement, she expressed hope that when Lisa Marie sees the final film, her perspective will change. Coppola assured her that she is putting great effort into honoring Lisa Marie's mother and presenting her father with sensitivity and complexity.
Despite Lisa Marie pointing out that Coppola should empathize with her situation due to her own famous family background (as the daughter of Francis Ford Coppola), Sofia had previously revealed that her personal connection to the subject matter was what motivated her to create the character of Priscilla.
"I was emotionally moved by the content and found myself unexpectedly relating to her story," she expressed to The Hollywood Reporter in August. "I particularly enjoy themes surrounding personal growth and the transition from teenage years to adulthood."
Sofia also noted that she found the experience of maturing in the presence of a public figure relatable to her own life. "Having grown up in a show business family, I understand the scrutiny and unique perspective that comes with it," she explained.
