Baz Luhrmann Brings Elvis' Vegas Heyday to Life in 'EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert'

Director Baz Luhrmann goes in-depth on making the immersive concert film that lets Elvis 'tell his story - sing it and tell it to you - almost like in a dreamscape'.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Director Baz Luhrmann is on a mission to immerse contemporary audiences in what he considers to have been Elvis Presley's peak period as a performer, when he first started playing Las Vegas at the very end of the 1960s and beginning of the 1970s. Luhrmann's new film 'EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert' features never-before-seen footage and audio of Elvis, with the goal of letting the King 'tell his story - sing it and tell it to you - almost like in a dreamscape'.

Why it matters

Luhrmann wants to shake off the 'ossification' and 'untruthful summation' that has turned Elvis into a trope, and instead reveal him as the true artist and cultural icon that he was. The film aims to give Elvis the 'world tour he dreamed of' by showcasing him on the biggest screens possible, immersing audiences in the energy and artistry of his live performances.

The details

The film features 59 hours of previously unseen footage and audio of Elvis, including material from the MGM concert films 'That's the Way It Is' and 'Elvis on Tour', as well as rare 8mm footage and 50 minutes of Elvis talking about his life in a way he's rarely heard. Luhrmann and his team worked extensively to restore and upgrade the footage to Imax quality, and to find the missing audio to sync it up. The result is a 'dreamscape' that lets Elvis 'tell his story' through his performances and his own words.

  • The film opened exclusively in Imax theaters on February 23, 2026 before going wider on February 24.
  • Luhrmann is touring with the film, making personal appearances at Imax screenings in cities like Los Angeles, Sydney, and Melbourne.

The players

Baz Luhrmann

An Australian director known for films like 'Moulin Rouge', 'The Great Gatsby', and the 2022 Elvis Presley biopic 'Elvis'. He is the driving creative force behind 'EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert'.

John O. Redmond

Luhrmann's editor of over 20 years, who was a creative partner in making 'EPiC' and drove the project as much as Luhrmann did.

Elvis Presley

The legendary American singer and cultural icon whose live performances from the late 1960s and early 1970s are the focus of 'EPiC'.

Ronnie Tutt

The drummer for Elvis Presley's TCB Band, known for his virtuosic performances that are highlighted in the film.

Bono

The lead singer of U2, who wrote a poem about Elvis that is featured at the end of the 'EPiC' film.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

This film aims to reveal Elvis Presley as the true artist and cultural icon he was, shaking off the ossified tropes and giving audiences an immersive experience of his electrifying live performances at the peak of his career in Las Vegas. Luhrmann's passion project seeks to cement Elvis' enduring legacy and introduce him to new generations of fans.