Last updated:November 16, 2024, 4:10 PM IST

In 1976, Elvis Presley was offered the lead role in the remake of A Star Is Born, but the Burning Love singer turned it down because of his manager, Colonel Tom Parker.

Elvis Presley’s manager often pressured the singer to sign more family-friendly projects. (Photo: X)

Elvis Presley was already a music legend but he dreamed of more. He wanted to play meaningful film roles that would bring him more fame and satisfy his desires as an artist. Despite starring in many films, a big opportunity slipped through his fingers. In 1976, Elvis was offered the lead role in the remake of A Star Is Born, alongside Barbra Streisand. According to Priscilla Presley, the Burning Love singer turned down the offer because his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, believed the role “won’t be good” for him, later played by Kris Kristofferson. Priscilla has now claimed that the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll “regretted” the decision.

Speaking to People, Elvis’ ex-wife recalled, “Barbra had offered him the part. The colonel talked him out of that saying, ‘Oh, it’s not going to be good. She’s going to be responsible, not you. Her movie, not yours. Elvis regretted it because he felt he could have played that role.”

According to Priscilla Presley, he wanted to be in great movies, not the dumb movies he did like Girls Girls Girls. It wasn’t Elvis. The colonel didn’t get him at all. It was hard for both Jerry (Schilling) and I, but you couldn’t say anything to the colonel. You just had to keep quiet.”

Elvis Presley shared a troubled relationship with Colonel Tom Parker, which has been discussed in the Netflix documentary Return of the King: The Fall and Rise of Elvis Presley. His close friend, Jerry Schilling, recalled how Elvis once threw a script out of frustration. Schilling also said that Elvis admired the work of actors such as James Dean and Marlon Brando. After Dean’s death in 1955, Parker met producer Hal Wallis, who suggested Elvis’ name in the 1958 film King Creole.

Schilling added, “The colonel went to Hal and said, ‘How about Elvis for this movie?’ Because Elvis really wanted those kinds of movies. Hal went to Michael Curtiz, the director, and he said, ‘No Elvis.'” Hal and the colonel said, ‘Why don’t you just have lunch, just see him?’ Michael fell in love with Elvis as an actor. At the end of that picture, it was his fourth, Elvis came up to Michael and said, ‘Thank you, Mr. Curtiz. Now I understand what a director is.’

Colonel Tom Parker often pushed Elvis Presley to sign more family-friendly projects. However, the singer wanted to return to rock music. Jerry Schilling, explained that Parker, with his old-fashioned views, wanted Elvis to do traditional Christmas shows. But Elvis was more interested in creating something bold and exciting for the audience, like his famous ’68 Comeback Special.