Baz Luhrmann unveils new teaser for King of Rock & Roll biopic, Elvis

Elvis, the new biopic from Moulin Rouge director Baz Luhrmann, has released its anticipated first trailer.

Hitting theatres June 24, the film will follow the life and journey of The King of Rock & Roll. From tracing the origins of his iconic moves, meeting his agent and self-proclaimed 'villain' Colonel Tom Parker to life as a global superstar; Elvis is set to capture every facet of the cultural icon.

Austin Butler, known for his role as Tex Watson in Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon A Time in Hollywood, will star as the musician, alongside Tom Hanks as the shady but self-aware Parker. Also joining the cast is Kevin Harrison Jr., who will embody blues guitarist and producer B.B. King.

"There were many reasons," said Butler on taking the role. "But fundamentally getting to explore the humanity of someone who has become the wallpaper of society in a way, and he’s held up to such a superhuman status... to get to explore that for years now and learn why he was the way he was and find the human in that icon, that was really such a joy."

The trailer begins with quiet, echoing music, overlaid with an ominous monologue from the Colonel. "There are some who would make me out to be the villain of this here story," he begins. "Are you born with destiny, or does it just come?"

It continues to show Elvis' meteoric rise to rock royalty – depicting his most iconic performances, some of America's most significant national tragedies, and most importantly, his revolutionary dance moves.

In addition to telling the King's story, the film will paint a wide picture of the social, political and cultural atmosphere of the U.S. at the time, explains Luhrmann.

"In this modern era, the life of Elvis Presley could not be a better canvas on which to explore America in the Fifties, Sixties, Seventies,” he said. “It was 42 years, but that’s three great lives put into one. What’s extraordinary about it is that life is culturally at the centre of the Fifties, socially the Sixties, and actually the Seventies."

Elliott Wheeler will in charge of music, while Bazmark Films and the Jackal Group are producing. In addition to Luhrmann, Sam Bromell, Craig Pearce and Jeremy Doner wrote the screenplay.

Watch the teaser for Elvis, below.