Unveiling Cailee Spaeny: The Actress Transforming into Priscilla Presley for Sofia Coppola's Biopic

Cailee Spaeny stars in Sofia Coppola's highly anticipated biopic, "Priscilla," where she portrays Priscilla Presley. Coppola, 52, collaborated with A24 to bring to life Priscilla's memoir, "Elvis and Me," which delves into her relationship with Elvis Presley, from their initial courtship to their eventual divorce.

The filmmaker expressed excitement about delving into the Americana style for the first time and highlighted Priscilla as a quintessential glamour icon. In an interview with Vogue in October 2022, the filmmaker discussed their interest in Priscilla's story and her unique perspective on growing up as a teenager in Graceland. They drew parallels between Priscilla's experiences and those portrayed in their previous film, Marie Antoinette. The upcoming film, titled Priscilla, will feature 24-year-old actress Spaeny in the lead role of Priscilla, alongside Jacob Elordi from Euphoria as the King of Rock 'n' Roll. On June 21, a trailer for Priscilla was released, showcasing Spaeny's portrayal of Priscilla in a prominent role.

As Priscilla's mother, Anna Iversen, asked about the boys at school, she hinted at the possibility of some attractive ones. Spaeny, in character, responded with a knowing look. The scene then transitioned to Spaeny and Elordi's characters sharing a passionate kiss on their wedding day. (It is worth noting that the real-life couple, who were married from 1967 to 1973, also had a daughter named Lisa Marie Presley.)

Spaeny's debut in the lead role of Priscilla is not her initial foray into acting. She made her first appearance in 2018, portraying Amara Namani in Pacific Rim: Uprising.

Reflecting on her early start in the industry, she shared, "I was 18 when I landed my first role, although now I believe I could have waited a few more years. However, movies are where I feel at home, and I recognize the challenges faced by young girls in today's social media-driven world," she revealed in an interview with Glass Magazine in August 2021.

Spaeny has consistently secured leading roles in films such as Bad Times at the El Royale, The First Lady, and The Craft: Legacy. She has a personal goal of always choosing roles that are the complete opposite of her previous work, as she seeks to continuously challenge and push herself. In an interview with Glass, the Mare of Easttown alum expressed a sense of relief when playing characters that are vastly different from her own personality, as she believes it becomes confusing when her own identity starts to overlap with the character's.

Keep reading to learn more about Spaeny:

Who Is Cailee Spaeny Playing in ‘Priscilla’?

‘Priscilla’ movie poster. A24

The How It Ends actress portrays the titular role of Priscilla Presley in Coppola’s biopic.

What Has Sofia Coppola Said About Working With Cailee Spaeny on ‘Priscilla?’

In her adaptation, Sofia Coppola aimed to make Priscilla the central focus, distinguishing her film from the numerous other movies that have been made about Elvis.

“I was fascinated by Baz's approach to storytelling, which had a collage-like quality. However, I appreciate that he didn't delve too much into Priscilla's story because it allows me to explore it in greater depth," expressed the director of the film "Bling Ring" in an interview with Vogue in 2022. "Baz is truly one-of-a-kind, and his unique perspective on the story was incredibly creative. While Priscilla may be a minor character in that particular film, I never felt like I was encroaching on the same territory. It's exciting to see how enthusiastic people were about his Elvis film, and it's interesting to think that in a few years, there will be another film solely focused on Priscilla. Having two completely different interpretations of the same events and time period will undoubtedly bring a fresh perspective."

What Is Cailee Spaeny Known for?

Cailee Spaeny in ‘Pacific Rim: Uprising’, 2018. Jasin Boland/Legendary/Kobal/Shutterstock

After gaining popularity from her performance in Pacific Rim: Uprising, Spaeny went on to appear in On the Basis of Sex, The Craft: Legacy, Mare of Easttown, and The First Lady. She also had a notable role in the 2019 music video for All-American Rejects' song "Send Her to Heaven."

What Has Cailee Spaeny Said About Her Red Carpet Style?

Cailee Spaeny. Matt Baron/Shutterstock

“I can’t believe how quickly time has flown by! It’s still astonishing to me that one of my responsibilities is strolling on red carpets adorned in exquisite gowns,” she expressed to Vogue in February 2020. “Coming from a large family, I grew up mainly wearing hand-me-downs and shopping at thrift stores, always trying to be frugal. So it’s still hard to believe that now I have the luxury of selecting and defining my own personal style.”

Where Is Cailee Spaeny From?

Cailee Spaeny. Joseph Martinez/Plux/Shutterstock

Spaeny hails from Springfield, Missouri, where she grew up with her eight siblings.