Eric Bana: Elvis In 'Elvis & Nixon,' Cary Elwes Directorial Debut

Add Eric Bana to the long list of those who would be the King.

While there was only one Elvis Presley, a whole cottage industry revolves around impersonating the star. And it's not just made up of the Las Vegas street impersonators, either; plenty of TV shows and films have depictions of the late rocker. Now, Bana, best known for his work in films such as "Hulk" and "Munich," will take on Presley's late career rhinestones in actor Cary Elwes directorial debut.

Variety reports that Bana will play Elvis in "Elvis & Nixon," which will be based on the bizarre-but-true story of the time Presley met with President Nixon in hopes of becoming a Federal Agent-at-Large in the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs. As for Nixon, the former President will be played by Danny Huston.

Bana joins a long line of stars who have played Elvis. Jonathan Rhys-Meyers took on the role in the CBS mini-series, "Elvis," in 2005, while Kurt Russell played the part in a 1979 made for TV film. Peter Dobson has played him twice, both in "Forrest Gump" and the TV mini-series, "Protecting the King."

As for Nixon, he's also been portrayed quite often in popular culture. Frank Langella played the Republican in "Frost/Nixon," while Anthony Hopkins took on the role in 1995's "Nixon."

For more, click over to Variety.

Comments

[jokamachi]

10:28 AM on 10/25/2011

Not one of the King's best moments....

[Contact1972]

01:07 AM on 10/25/2011

Eric Bana-YUMMY!!!!

[pebblesvanpeebles]

12:50 AM on 10/25/2011

Hubba hubba! He's like a handsome shark!

[ocenbrz]

10:34 PM on 10/24/2011

Love Eric Bana, the actor but this is going to be a big stretch. He's a lot talerl, fairer complexion, eyes, well makeup does amazing work. It will be interesting.

[Dr Confuso]

07:24 PM on 10/24/2011

Eric Bana is a brilliant, yet overlooked Aussie actor. His breakout film was 'Blackhawk Down', and he was superb in this years 'Hanna'. But if you really want to experience an amazing performance and see what he's capable of, rent the aussie film 'Chopper'. It's a true story about australian criminal Mark 'Chopper' Read, and it will leave you with your jaw on the floor.

[Pennsylvanianne]

09:00 PM on 10/24/2011

I agree, Bana is talented. Though he has the same dark hair, I can't see him as Elvis -- at least, not yet.

[Contact1972]

01:08 AM on 10/25/2011

Did you even recognize him in 'Star Trek'? He totally rocks.

[kvolovesart]

04:59 PM on 10/24/2011

He is so yummy...

[smp276dp]

02:28 PM on 10/24/2011

Maybe they should get a actor that more closely represent the King.

[forkuu]

02:06 PM on 10/24/2011

no frigging way... impossible .. stop stop!!!!

[Greatest Darthfruit]

01:31 PM on 10/24/2011

Elvis is not dead, he just went home

[Lahonda]

03:03 PM on 10/24/2011

...he smells pretty dead.

[TheTruthSayer]

01:25 PM on 10/24/2011

There was a great TV comedy several years back called "Elvis Meets Nixon" that was both hilarious and insightful, especially for such a low-budget movie. Unfortunately, this small, but great movie hasn't been made available in the U.S. on dvd, but hopefully, if nothing else, this Bana/Huston/Elwes project (which isn't even mentioned on imdb.com) will prompt the release of "Elvis Meets Nixon" (1997) on dvd.

Also, the presence of the video attached to this story called "The Life and Career of Elvis Presley" seemed pretty superfluous at first - We know who Elvis is, Eric Bana, we may need to be reminded of. That said, the video is just about the best, most compact version of Elvis' career I've ever seen. It really does hit all the high notes, in just a couple minutes. Thumbs up to the makers!

[pjvoperamom]

01:13 PM on 10/24/2011

Not even close to be playing Elvis. Not good looking enough and really not a great actor. There were many others that could have been considered.

[django707]

01:12 PM on 10/24/2011

Elvis Meets Nixon was already done in the 90's for either Showtime or HBO.
Directed by Alan Arkush and starring the excellent Rick Peters as Elvis.

[gemini68]

12:28 PM on 10/24/2011

What is it about Eric Bana that whenever he is cast as a lead in anything I think "No!". He's a good actor- I simply don't think he can hold films on his own. He makes a great supporting actor.

[DaniFoxy]

11:47 AM on 10/24/2011

Mmmm... Eric Bana...

[Lahonda]

03:04 PM on 10/24/2011

...down girl. Back! Put the big guns away!

[DaniFoxy]

03:05 PM on 10/24/2011

Sorry about the drool... ;-) I need a napkin to wipe off my chair.

[Contact1972]

01:10 AM on 10/25/2011

Get in line;-)

[DaMojo]

11:26 AM on 10/24/2011

Well I didn't see Bana as Henry VIII...and I was right...it didn't work. I certainly don't see him as Elvis.