The Resurgence of 'The King': Elvis Makes His Return to Hollywood Yet Again

Numerous musicians and bands have passed the test of time. Iconic bands like Led Zeppelin or artists such as Elton John have become common household names without releasing any new work for years—even decades.

In the past few years, many of these iconic musicians and their stories have become film adaptations, such as Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) about Freddie Mercury and Queen, and The Dirt (2019) about Mötley Crüe. Now, the late Elvis Presley has made a major comeback in Hollywood with his own silver screen adaptation.

This past June, Elvis, a film directed by Baz Luhrmann, was released and has since become a pop-culture phenomenon. Austin Butler played ‘The King’ and their resemblance was uncanny. Just like Elvis Presley had women swooning over his moves, Butler was able to introduce Presley’s music and legacy to a new generation of listeners. But, the resurgence of Presley does not stop there.

Recently, A24 announced that they will be releasing a film surrounding Priscilla Presley’s iconic memoir, “Elvis and Me.” Though Priscilla will mainly focus on her story, Jacob Elordi is set to portray Elvis in this film. The movie will be directed by Sofia Coppola and produced by Sony Pictures. It is safe to say that Elvis Presley is back.

In case you didn’t already know, ‘The King’ was a country/rock and roll singer that passed away in his Memphis home in 1977. Elvis was both adored and hated by many, as his music was considered radical at the time. Now a days, his “offensive” music can now be heard in any coffee shop or grocery store you walk into.

Songs such as “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” “Jailhouse Rock,” and “Hound Dog” have become iconic in pop culture and have even been sampled, covered, and remixed. But Elvis’s story is far more interesting than just singing the blues and swinging his hips.

Elvis Presley was born in 1935 and grew up in a poverty-ridden area in Tupelo and Memphis, Tennessee. The Jim Crow Laws that were put in place after the Civil War were still very much in effect during Elvis’s childhood and much of his adult life. Elvis’s hometown which was primarily Black is where he was exposed to African American culture and music.

Much of Elvis’s music was inspired by the blues and spiritual tunes he heard growing up. This is one of the major reasons his music was criticized when he started to become famous. People at the time felt that a ‘white boy’ should not be singing music inspired by Black culture due to the segregation laws that were being heavily enforced.

Throughout his fame, Elvis showed his support for the Civil Rights Movement and even wrote a song inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King after his tragic death titled “If I Can Dream.” This song had many similarities to MLK’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech.

The Civil Rights Movement ended in 1968 but racism still plagued America and continues to today. ‘The King’ did live to see these laws being put into place to aid this movement, but the world was still hurting. The ongoing drug issues in America and the Vietnam War were still happening toward the end of his life. Elvis Presley performed his last show less than a month before having a heart attack in his Memphis home, better known as Graceland, at the age of 42.

So, if Elvis passed away in the 70s, why is he making such a big comeback in recent times?

You have probably heard the cliché “History is doomed to repeat itself” in your classes, but it is true, and it is not only limited to politics. We can also see fashion and culture constantly recycled from different time periods.

Recently, we are seeing a resurgence of trends from the 60s and 70s. In terms of fashion, the runways have been filled with Space Age collections that are reminiscent of the 60s and florals and flowy silhouettes that were coined by the 70s.

During both time periods, the political climate was plagued with human rights issues. The Civil Rights Movement and Anti-War Movement caused society to question its morality when it comes down to basic compassion for others.

Today, the overturning of Roe v. Wade has caused major political turmoil in America yet again. Women’s rights to their own bodies have been stripped at the hands of the Supreme Court. This has caused a divide in society between those who are pro-choice and others who are pro-life. Overall, the politics that exist currently have influenced recent fashion and culture trends.

So, with the rise of the 60s and 70s, it is no surprise that we are seeing iconic musicians from this era such as Elvis Presley re-introduce themselves into the spotlight. Though it is uncertain how long this resurgence will last, we are certainly enjoying hearing our favorite tunes take over the music industry once again.

What is your opinion on the newly announced “Elvis and Me” film? Let us know in the comments.