...To be released early in 2007...

Press Release

A dramatic theatrical motion picture is in production about Elvis Presley's final hours - his struggles against his personal weaknesses and his spiritual quest, especially his studies with missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the marginal notes he wrote in his own copy of the Book of Mormon.

Elvis was definitely "in the building" as shooting began September 1 on an Orem soundstage for an independent motion picture about the King of Rock and Roll and his spiritual journey of discovery, including his little-known serious study of the Book of Mormon and his contacts with missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.   History was made in Utah recently as the state was visited by both a sitting U.S. President and a King.  In addition to the visit by President George Bush to speak to the national American Legion convention, the "King" was sighted less than fifty miles away. Elvis was definitely "in the building" as shooting began September 1 on an Orem soundstage for an independent motion picture about the King of Rock and Roll and his spiritual journey of discovery, including his little-known serious study of the Book of Mormon and his contacts with missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The last hours of Elvis Presley's life at his Graceland mansion in Memphis, Tennessee are portrayed in dramatic and authentic detail in "Tears of a King", as he struggled to overcome his addictions to prescription drugs and sought for religious truths. Much of his life and career are retold in flashback sequences.

Elvis is played by actor Matt Lewis, who bears a strong physical resemblance to The King, and with the help of foam prosthetics and the skills of makeup artist Tara Starling, his on-screen appearance at different stages of Elvis's life will enthrall even the most devoted of Presley's fans. He sings several songs in the movie, and visitors to the movie set found it hard to distinguish Lewis's singing voice from actual Elvis recordings.

The first few days of shooting were completed in an exact replica of Presley's bedroom that was created from floor plans and photos of the original at Graceland which as been sealed since Elvis's death in 1977. The entire film has been meticulously researched and is authentic down to minute details such as items found on tabletops and shelves in the room.

It is well known that Elvis Presley was a devout Christian who had deep religious convictions despite his personal weaknesses and struggles with a Hollywood lifestyle that was thrust upon him at an early age. What is lesser known is that he reportedly met on several occasions with missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and that he studied carefully the Book of Mormon. His copy of the book was donated by his estate to the Osmond family and later to the LDS Church historical archives after his death.

Rob Diamond spent several hours in the LDS Church library copying down the many marginal notes made by Presley in the book, and has included some of them in the dialog of the film. Through special arrangements with the Church, the book is being used in filming some of the scenes of the movie, which is planned for a release in 2007 timed to the 30th anniversary of Elvis's death. At the same time, a separate documentary will also be released. It will feature interviews with Alan Osmond and other friends, fans and missionaries sharing their experiences with the King of Rock and Roll.

(News, Source: Tears of a King, 15 Nov 2006)