Baz Luhrmann’s EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert, a revolutionary cinematic experience, is set to captivate audiences worldwide after its acquisition by NEON and Universal Pictures Content Group. The film brings a fresh perspective on the legendary artist, featuring rare footage and sound, and invites fans to experience Elvis Presley’s music and story like never before.
Following its rapturous world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), the film received enthusiastic praise from audiences and critics alike. NEON is responsible for releasing the film theatrically in the US, while Universal Pictures International will handle the international release in 2026.
The film blends archival footage from Presley’s iconic Vegas residency in the 1970s with rare 16mm and 8mm footage from Elvis on Tour and the Graceland archives. Additionally, the film includes previously unheard recordings of Elvis telling his side of the story, discovered during the research for Baz Luhrmann’s 2022 hit Elvis.
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EPiC represents Luhrmann’s second major venture into Elvis Presley’s world, following the success of Elvis which garnered eight Academy Award® nominations and earned nearly $300 million worldwide. In EPiC, Luhrmann transforms rare archival material into a dynamic and immersive cinematic journey that showcases Elvis at his peak, raw, intimate, and electric.
Luhrmann, reflecting on the creation of the film, shared, “From the first day my editor, Jonathan Redmond, and I encountered this rare and never-before-seen footage of Elvis almost 8 years ago, it has been our mission that Elvis should finally fulfill his unrealized dream to tour around the world.”
The film is not just a documentary or concert film; Luhrmann defines it as an “EPiC” experience, combining the essence of both genres. With NEON and Universal Pictures Content Group on board for its global release, Luhrmann and his team are confident the film will reach audiences from small towns to major cities worldwide. Luhrmann expressed his excitement for this collaboration, referencing Elvis’s motto, “Taking care of business” (TCB), and emphasizing his eagerness to take the film “on the road.”
Sony Music Vision President Tom Mackay commented on the project’s impact, saying, “With EPiC, Baz has crafted an extraordinary, immersive film about a legendary artist that deserves to be seen on the big screen.” Colin Smeeton, President of Authentic Studios, also expressed pride in collaborating with NEON and Universal to share Baz’s vision globally, marking a significant milestone for the studio.
This collaboration marks another chapter in NEON and Universal Pictures Content Group’s commitment to groundbreaking nonfiction storytelling, a reputation solidified by previous films like Moonage Daydream and Apollo 11. With EPiC, these companies are poised to offer a truly transformative cinematic experience that brings Elvis Presley’s legacy to life for audiences around the globe.
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