Lisa Marie Presley Asked Sofia Coppola Not to Make Priscilla Months Before Death: ‘We’ve All Been Drowning’

Lisa Marie Presley was worried about the upcoming Sofia Coppola biopic Priscilla.

According to Diversity, the singer asked the Oscar-winning filmmaker to rethink his vision for the film four months before her death in January. The daughter of Elvis and Priscilla Presley reportedly sent Coppola two e-mails describing the script as “shockingly vindictive and despicable.”

The film is based on Priscilla’s 1985 memoir Elvis and me. Contains Jacob Elordi and Cailee Spaeny as Elvis and Priscilla respectively and tell their love story from Priscilla’s perspective.

Priscilla Presley cries in new TV interview about daughter Lisa Marie’s death: ‘It was unbearable’

Jacob Elordi, Cailee Spaeny in “Priscilla.”

Philippe Le Sourd/A24

Although Elvis’ rise to stardom was documented in the Baz Luhrmann-directed film of the same name, Lisa Marie had issues with how he would be portrayed in the new project.

“My father acts only as a predator and manipulator. As his daughter, I don’t read this and see my father in this character. I don’t read this and see my mother’s perspective on my father. I’m reading this and seeing your shockingly vindictive and contemptuous perspective and I don’t understand why?” Lisa Marie allegedly wrote in one of two emails that were sent about four hours apart in September 2022. Diversity.

Priscilla Presley, Lisa Marie Presley and Elvis Presley (photo by Magma Agency/WireImage). Agency Magma/WireImage

In another message, Lisa Marie reportedly told Coppola that she had to explain to one of her young twins, Harper Lockwood, that the film would be “another hit in our lives.”

“That there’s going to be a movie about her grandfather that’s going to try to make him look very, very bad, but that’s not true. I had to explain that her beloved grandmother supports it. These two little girls have been through so much in the past 7 years, enduring my divorce and a horrible custody battle and then losing their brother. We were all drowning,” she wrote.

‘Priscilla’ reviews call Sofia Coppola’s film ‘poignantly honest’, ‘pleasantly emotional experience’

In addition to expressing her concern, Diversity announced that Lisa Marie had told Coppola that she was ready to speak out against the project and her mother.

She wrote in one of her messages, according to the publication, “I will be forced to be in a position where I will have to openly say how I feel about the film and publicly go against you, my mother and this film.”

A rep for Presley did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment. When reached by PEOPLE, Coppola’s rep declined to comment.

Cailee Spaeny, Priscilla Presley, Sofia Coppola and Jacob Elordi on the red carpet for “Priscilla” at the 80th Venice International Film Festival on September 4, 2023 in Venice, Italy.

Daniele Venturelli/WireImage

Priscilla has voiced her support for the project since its inception and served as an executive producer. In a behind-the-scenes clip shared by A24 in October, she said she chose to work with Coppola out of respect for her talents.

“I have seen all her films. And her sensitivity, her understanding of women, she really puts her heart and soul into it. I would never do that with anyone else,” she said.

While attending the premiere at the Venice International Film Festival, Priscilla also praised the film in front of the press.

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“It is very difficult to sit and watch a film about you and your life and your love. I think Sofia did an amazing job, she did her homework. “We spoke a few times and I really gave everything I could for her,” said Priscilla.

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Source: HIS Education