HBO plans Elvis Presley documentary miniseries

HBO has announced plans for a new documentary about the life and music of Elvis Presley. In a statement, the cable network confirmed that the two-part, three-hour film project is set to be completed later this month. Although no broadcast date was announced, it’s assumed it will air at some point in 2017, likely in conjunction with the 40th anniversary of Presley’s death in August.

The still-untitled documentary is being directed by Emmy and Grammy winner Thom Zimmy, best known for his work on film projects about Bruce Springsteen, including “The Promise: The Making of Darkness on the Edge of Town” and “The Ties that Bind.” Springsteen’s longtime manager Jon Landau is one of the executive producers of the Elvis film, with noted music journalist and author Alan Light serving as writer.

According to a statement from HBO, the project is being done “with the full participation of the Elvis Presley family estate and unprecedented access to Graceland archives facilitated by Authentic Brands Group, the films include stunning atmospherics shot inside Elvis’ iconic home and more than 20 new, primary source interviews with session players, producers, engineers, directors and others who knew him. The documentary also features never-before-seen photos and footage from private collections worldwide.”

“The producers came to HBO and Sony with the idea for a film drawing upon very rare footage that captures Elvis’ musicianship in a new and exciting way,” said Kary Antholis, president, HBO Miniseries and CINEMAX Programming. “The artistry on display in that footage reminded us of the great work by Jon Landau and Thom Zimny on HBO films documenting the studio artistry of Bruce Springsteen, and we are thrilled to have them at the helm to lend their unique cinematic perspectives to this iconic, complex and singular artist.”

A passel of Elvis insiders, including his former wife Priscilla Presley, longtime pal Jerry Schilling, and “This is Elvis” filmmaker Andrew Solt, are also serving as executive producers on the project.