For many, Elvis Presley is an iconic figure in the history of music and entertainment. His influence on the world of rock ‘n’ roll is undeniable, and his music continues to resonate with generations. However, not everyone grew up with an in-depth knowledge of “The King.” One such individual is actor Jacob Elordi, best known for his role in the hit series “Euphoria.”
Elordi’s limited awareness of Elvis Presley during his formative years was primarily through a Disney cartoon, “Lilo & Stitch,” released in 2002. In this animated film, the character Lilo introduces her extraterrestrial friend Stitch to the enchanting music of Elvis Presley, featuring several of his timeless songs on the soundtrack. The magic of this Disney classic left a lasting impression on the young Jacob Elordi.
During a recent appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” the 26-year-old actor made a candid admission about his early exposure to Elvis. When host Jimmy Fallon asked if he was an Elvis fan during his upbringing, Elordi responded with a smile, “No. The most I knew of Elvis was in Lilo & Stitch… which is a lot, by the way.” It’s a testament to the power of popular culture in shaping one’s early perceptions.
Elordi’s journey with Elvis took an unexpected turn when he was cast to portray the rock ‘n’ roll icon in the upcoming Sofia Coppola film “Priscilla.” This exciting opportunity allowed Elordi to dive deeper into the life and persona of Elvis Presley. The transition from a casual Disney fan to becoming Elvis on the big screen is a testament to his dedication as an actor.
Dean DeBlois, one of the creators of “Lilo & Stitch,” shared insights about the film’s 20th anniversary last year. He revealed that they initially didn’t believe they could secure the rights to Elvis’s music or accurately depict him in the movie. However, representatives of the Elvis estate supported the project, which led to a premiere at the legendary Graceland and an exclusive tour of the vault containing Elvis’s iconic rhinestone jumpsuits.
Before stepping into the role of Elvis, Jacob Elordi had already shown interest in the rock ‘n’ roll legend. In an August 2022 interview with GQ, Elordi mentioned being inspired by Elvis after watching the trailer for Baz Luhrmann’s upcoming film, “Elvis.” Elordi noted, “I was just like, damn, Elvis Presley wanted to be James Dean. He wanted to be Marlon Brando. I’ve researched almost every actor from that time period, and I passed [Elvis] off as an entertainer and singer. But then he was an actor. I guess, in a way, I’m trying to learn from these people.”
In that same interview, Elordi drew parallels between his experiences in Hollywood and an old Elvis interview. Despite the vast differences in their circumstances, he related to the fatigue Presley expressed. He said, “He’s like, ‘I’m tired, man. I only get four, five hours of sleep, I’m tired.’ That’s really sad to me because it’s a different period of time and it’s someone who’s gone 10 billion times anything I’ve experienced, but the same kind of feeling.”
“Priscilla,” the film that sees Jacob Elordi stepping into the shoes of Elvis Presley, is set to hit theaters on November 3. This intriguing transformation from an animated Disney fan to embodying a legendary figure like Elvis is a remarkable journey, and it’ll be exciting to see how Elordi’s performance brings the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll to life on the silver screen.
