American actor Tom Hanks is in negotiations to play the late singer Elvis Presley's iconic manager Colonel Tom Parker in Baz Luhrmann's upcoming directorial based on the life of the legendary musician.
Luhrmann apart from directing, will also write the script along with screenwriter Craig Pearce, reported Variety.
Parker discovered Presley when he was just an unknown and quickly moved in as his lone representation. The manager was responsible for various milestones, including Presley's record deal with RCA and his successful acting career.
The film will majorly deal with his relationship with Parker. The real Colonel Parker was a Dutch-born music manager who revived his career when he discovered a young Presley in the mid-1950s. Presley was very young and Parker began a two-year process of eliminating all other agents and managers in his life to become his exclusive rep, reported Entertainment Weekly.
While Luhrmann always wanted to cast a star for Parker's role, he wants a fresh face for the role of the late singer. The filmmaker has begun his search and has started meeting talents for the part.
The upcoming drama will mark Luhrmann's first feature since 2013's 'The Great Gatsby'. He has been working on the project with his wife and co-producer, Catherine Martin, since that time.
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According to insiders, the budget is still being ironed out. Luhrmann is hoping to get the film into production sometime this year.
Further details including a title, release date, and other cast members are kept under wraps.
Hanks is no stranger to portraying real-life figures. He has previously essayed the role of astronaut Jim Lovell in 'Apollo 13', Washington Post editor Ben Bradlee in 'The Post', airline captain Chesley Sullenberger in 'Sully', Captain Richard Phillips in 'Captain Phillips' and Mister Rogers in Sony's upcoming biopic 'A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood'.
Besides 'Mister Rogers', Hanks will also be seen in the World War II drama 'Greyhound' and as Woody in 'Toy Story 4'.