Director Baz Luhrmann Reveals the Touching Praise Priscilla Presley Gave Him for His Elvis Biopic

Baz Luhrmann was moved by Priscilla Presley’s praise for his new biopic, Elvis.

The 59-year-old filmmaker was emotional as he looked back on Priscilla’s review of the film — which stars Austin Butler as the King of Rock and Roll — in which she described the film about her late former husband as “excellent.”

At a press conference for the film, Baz said, “No criticism, no review would ever mean more to us than that of the woman who married him.

Warm welcome: Baz Luhrmann (right) was moved by Priscilla Presley’s (left) praise for his new biopic, Elvis

“She said, ‘If my husband were here today, he’d say, ‘Damn, you’re me'”… it was the best review I’ve ever had.”

Priscilla married Elvis in 1967, and later divorced in 1973, when she was 27 — and just four years before his death.

Elvis died of a heart attack in 1977, leaving behind daughter Lisa Marie Presley, now 54.

What a movie: The 59-year-old filmmaker was emotional as he looked back on Priscilla’s review of the film — which stars Austin Butler (pictured) as the King of Rock and Roll — in which she described the film about her late former husband as “excellent”

In the film, Tom Hanks plays Elvis’ manager Colonel Tom Parker, who was infamous for cheating the music icon out of a fair share of royalties for his songs.

But the actor thinks his alter ego should be recognized for his part in making Elvis a megastar.

Hanks said, “I’ve heard from a lot of people that he was a lovely guy, who lit up every room. Was he a cheap crook who played fast and loose with the money? Yes, (but) he brought joy to all that he did. With a little bit of theft.

At a press conference for the film, Baz said, “No criticism, no review would ever mean more to us than that of the woman who married him.” Pictured are Olivia DeJonge and Austin Butler as Priscilla and Elvis in the movie

Memories: Priscilla married Elvis in 1967, and later divorced in 1973, when she was 27 — and just four years before his death. In the photo on their wedding day

“Baz said there was no Elvis without Colonel Tom Parker, it was a completely symbiotic relationship.

“You have to give him credit and see the reality that the number of ways Colonel Parker cheated people for money and pennies was extraordinary.”

Luhrmann’s film follows Elvis from his childhood poverty to his rise as a global superstar before his untimely death at the age of just 42 in 1977 and the director wants audiences to get an immersive experience watching the film.

The Moulin Rouge! director said, “I want audiences that don’t care about Elvis to feel what it was like to be there (when he first performed). He was the original punk rocker.”

Loss: Elvis died of a heart attack in 1977