Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of Elvis and Priscilla Presley, reportedly took issue with the portrayal of her father and her parents' relationship in Sofia Coppola's long-awaited biopic Priscilla, which arrives in theatres today.
According to Variety, Lisa Marie Presley had reached out to the director weeks before production for the film began via email, in which she pleaded with Coppola to reconsider the angle of the film. It is believed that Presley had received and read the script for Priscilla.
Presley's email read, "My father only comes across as a predator and manipulative. As his daughter, I don't read this and see any of my father in this character. I don't read this and see my mother's perspective of my father. I read this and see your shockingly vengeful and contemptuous perspective and I don't understand why?"
Reportedly, Presley had sent a follow-up email which read, "I will be forced to be in a position where I will have to openly say how I feel about the film and go against you, my mother and this film publicly."
She reportedly also voiced her concerns about her mother not being able to fully see the "nuance" and understand "the way in which Elvis will be perceived when this movie comes out."
"I feel protective over my mother who has spent her whole life elevating my father's legacy. I am worried she doesn't understand the intentions behind this film or the outcome it will have," she wrote.
In response, Coppola defended her vision and depiction of Priscilla and Elvis Presley's dynamic, emphasizing that she based the film on Priscilla's 1985 memoir Elvis and Me, and that they had worked together throughout the entire process of the film.
"I hope that when you see the final film you will feel differently, and understand I'm taking great care in honoring your mother, while also presenting your father with sensitivity and complexity," Coppola wrote.
Unfortunately Lisa Marie Presley was unable to see the final product and come to her own conclusion, as she passed away earlier this year from a fatal heart attack.
According to Variety, Lisa Marie Presley had reached out to the director weeks before production for the film began via email, in which she pleaded with Coppola to reconsider the angle of the film. It is believed that Presley had received and read the script for Priscilla.
Presley's email read, "My father only comes across as a predator and manipulative. As his daughter, I don't read this and see any of my father in this character. I don't read this and see my mother's perspective of my father. I read this and see your shockingly vengeful and contemptuous perspective and I don't understand why?"
Reportedly, Presley had sent a follow-up email which read, "I will be forced to be in a position where I will have to openly say how I feel about the film and go against you, my mother and this film publicly."
She reportedly also voiced her concerns about her mother not being able to fully see the "nuance" and understand "the way in which Elvis will be perceived when this movie comes out."
"I feel protective over my mother who has spent her whole life elevating my father's legacy. I am worried she doesn't understand the intentions behind this film or the outcome it will have," she wrote.
In response, Coppola defended her vision and depiction of Priscilla and Elvis Presley's dynamic, emphasizing that she based the film on Priscilla's 1985 memoir Elvis and Me, and that they had worked together throughout the entire process of the film.
"I hope that when you see the final film you will feel differently, and understand I'm taking great care in honoring your mother, while also presenting your father with sensitivity and complexity," Coppola wrote.
Unfortunately Lisa Marie Presley was unable to see the final product and come to her own conclusion, as she passed away earlier this year from a fatal heart attack.
