In a report by Hollywood outlet Variety, Lisa Marie Presley expressed her concerns to director Sofia Coppola about a new film’s script portraying her father, Elvis, as “predatory and manipulative.” This communication occurred four months prior to Lisa Marie’s passing in January.

The film in question, titled “Priscilla,” narrates the story of her mother, Priscilla, who met Elvis at the tender age of 14. Priscilla has extended her support for the movie, emphasizing that it portrays Elvis with “sensitivity and complexity,” as conveyed by Coppola.

The film is based on Priscilla’s 1985 memoir, “Elvis and Me.” In one of her emails to the filmmaker, Lisa Marie expressed, “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.”

Priscilla, who is both the source material provider and an executive producer, has also given multiple interviews in support of the film. She mentioned on Piers Morgan’s TalkTV show that the film accurately depicts her relationship with Elvis.

Coppola, an Oscar-winning screenwriter for “Lost in Translation” in 2004, collaborated closely with Priscilla and conducted thorough research for the project.

Regarding their relationship’s beginnings in 1959 when Priscilla was 14 and Elvis was 24, Priscilla acknowledged that it was a different era. She didn’t perceive it as grooming, and Elvis cared for her, taking her shopping and to the movies.

Although Priscilla holds the role of an executive producer, Lisa Marie threatened to publicly speak out against the film and her mother’s support, expressing concern that her mother might not fully grasp the film’s intentions and its potential impact.

She understood the contemporary perspective that might find their early relationship inappropriate but emphasized that their interactions were private and non-aggressive. Elvis was someone she trusted to confide in.

Coppola’s representative shared a response to Lisa Marie’s emails, expressing hopes that the final film would be viewed differently and that it aimed to honour Priscilla while portraying Elvis with sensitivity and complexity.

Critics have questioned how modern viewers would perceive Priscilla and Elvis’s early relationship, noting the complex reactions to the portrayal.

The film “Priscilla” was released widely in the US and features Cailee Spaeny in the title role, with Jacob Elordi portraying Elvis. It is set to reach UK cinemas in January.

This film’s release comes a year after “Elvis,” in which Austin Butler portrayed the singer and Tom Hanks played his manager, Colonel Tom Parker.

Lisa Marie Presley passed away at the age of 54 due to a cardiac arrest resulting from a “small bowel obstruction” related to weight-loss surgery she had undergone years earlier.