It’s very hard to assess where Baz Luhrmann’s “Elvis” is positioned in the Oscar race. It currently has a 63 Metascore and an 81 on Rotten Tomatoes.
What we do know is that Austin Butler will be part of the Best Actor conversation. Tom Hanks’ polarizing performance? Not so much. The film itself is garnering very good audience scores, but will the academy fall for it? They sure did for “Bohemian Rhapsody,” but that was a much tamer musical biopic than Luhrmann’s more daring film.
Or, “Elvis” might go the “Rocketman” way and get absolutely no recognition. As it stands, given the mixed-to-positive reviews, I find this to be the most realistic scenario. Then again, if “Elvis” stuns at the box-office this weekend then its Oscar odds skyrocket up (its gross projections are currently vague and unpredictable at $30-50 million).
“Elvis” is now in theaters. The comments section below is awaiting your reactions to the film.