Lisa Marie Presley did not mince her words when it came to the disapproval of Sofia Coppola’s new film Priscilla, based on her mother Priscilla Presley‘s autobiography Elvis and Me.
Four months before her death in January, Lisa Marie had reportedly sent a series of scathing emails to the acclaimed director, asking her to reconsider the project and its potential harm on the Presley family – despite her mother Priscilla being credited as an executive producer on it.
As per the emails obtained by Variety, Lisa Marie wrote to Coppola, “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?”
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She also added she was concerned her mother, who has since declared on may occassions that she loves the film, was not understanding what she perceived to be Coppola’s “dark and jaded” intentions with the film.
“I am worried that my mother isn’t seeing the nuance here or realising the way in which Elvis will be perceived when this movie comes out,” Lisa Marie explained.
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“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 warned Coppola – who has also directed many acclaimed films such as The Virgin Suicides, Mary Antoinette, Lost In Translation, and more – that she would have to publicly denounce the film once it came out.
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“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.”
After Variety reached out to Coppola for comment, her representative shared a statement that echoed her response to Lisa Marie.
She had said, “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.”
