Harold Braunstein Interview CBS MINI SERIES Elvis

Howard tells us that he and his producing partner wanted to produce an authentic movie about Elvis, but felt that without the co-operation and participation of the Presley Estate it would not be as authentic as they could make it.

Knowing that the show is, and will be, under the close scrutiny of Elvis fans, they have done very careful and thorough research over the past year. They have worked with the Estate and have gained access to archival material in storage, to Elvis’ master recordings which can be heard throughout the movie, and they were able to film at Graceland. They have also consulted many other people and have spoken to many of Elvis’ friends and to the “Memphis Mafia” members. As Howard says, with award-winning movies such as “Ray” (about Ray Charles) and other movies of that kind, people have come to expect high quality and they knew they had to deliver.

When asked about the casting (among others: Camryn Manheim as Gladys Presley, Robert Patrick as Vernon Presley, Randy Quaid as Col. Tom Parker, Rose McGowan as Ann Margret), Howard agrees with Joanna’s remark that it is easy to visualize the actors in those roles, and he says that he was involved in every aspect of the casting.

And when asked about the process of casting the lead role of Elvis -- and the selection of actor Jonathon Rhys Myers -- Howard elaborates further. He and his producers had previously watched the movie “Bending Like Beckham” in which Jonathon starred, and felt strongly that Jonathon had just what it was they were looking for and “was Elvis.” However, Jonathon was signed for another project at the time and wasn’t available, so they went the route of the “casting call” and auditioned hundreds of other people for the lead role. Howard says that although a couple of people were good, they felt there was no-one who had the ability to evoke the “feeling” and “embodiment” and “essence” of Elvis, to the degree that Jonathon did.

As it turned out, Jonathon Rhys Myers’ movie commitment was pushed back and when they knew he was available after all, they “jumped on it.” Howard says they put Jonathon in front of a camera to see if he had what it took, and, again, he just “was Elvis.”

Continuing this discussion, Howard says this was one of the biggest casting challenges he’s had. They looked at hundreds of other “hopefuls” and knew they had to have someone with the right “sexuality, physical presence, some physical resemblance, and sensitivity” and who was also a good actor who could carry the role. Of the 500 or so ETA’s and actors they saw, he said there were some who “had parts of that” and others who “had other parts” and even some who looked remarkably like Elvis, but they didn’t feel there was anyone who had it all to the degree that Jonathon did.

In closing, Howard says he is very happy with the show, and you can almost see the big smile on his face as he describes it as “wonderful!” He emphasizes that he’s come away from this realizing how brilliant a musician Elvis was and how you just need to hear Elvis’ music and it puts a smile on your face. He very genuinely describes Elvis as “truly a musical genius.”

This is great news for Elvis fans and ETA’s, who, of course, have known this all along -- and it sounds as if the CBS mini-series will be presenting the life, legacy and musical brilliance of Elvis Presley to a huge audience of fans and “fans to be.”

Many thanks to Howard Braunstein for this interview.

Details:

ELVIS, a new four-hour mini-series, created with the full cooperation and participation of the Elvis Presley Estate, will be broadcast as the "CBS Sunday Movie" Sunday, May 8 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) and Wednesday, May 11 (8:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

Live interview conducted by Joanna Johnson
Foreword written by Carol Hunter