Kirsten Dunst played a significant role inCailee Spaeny’scasting in Sofia Coppola’sPriscilla. During a recentW cover story interview, Coppola shared that Dunst recommended Spaeny portray the titular character in the A24 biopic. Dunst recently collaborated with Spaeny for Alex Garland’s upcomingCivil War, as for Dunst and Coppola, the two share a relationship that dates back over two decades. They first collaborated on the 1999 coming-of-age dramaThe Virgin Suicides,laterfollowed by2006’sMarie Antoinetteand, most recently, the 2017 psychological thrillerThe Beguiled. All three films were written and directed by Coppola and starred Dunst.
Kirsten is like a sister to me, and when she recommended Cailee, I paid attention.
Following Dunst’s endorsement, Coppola and Spaeny met for breakfast to discuss the film. The actress was offered the role during that initial meeting.
“Sofia pulled out her iPad and showed me some photos of Priscilla. She said, ‘I think you could do it!’ I felt like Kirsten had passed the torch to me.”
Priscillais adapted from Presley’s 1985 memoirElvis and Me, which chronicles the relationship between the two: from a 14-year-old Priscilla (then Beaulieu) meeting the King of Rock and Roll, to their courtship, their 1967 marriage, and the circumstances leading up to their 1973 divorce.Priscillais written, directed, and co-produced by Coppola and stars Spaeny, Jacob Elordi, Dagmara Domińczyk, Jorja Cadence, Rodrigo Fernandez-Stoll, and Luke Humphrey.
Related:Priscilla First Reactions Praise Sofia Coppola’s Intimate Look at Priscilla Presley
Cailee Spaeny Stuns as Priscilla
Dunst’s instinct is proving to be spot on. For her portrayal of Presley, Spaeny earned the Volpi Cup for Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival and has gained glowing reviews. Rolling Stone called her an “absolute marvel,” while Roger Ebert wrote that Spaeny’s “spectacularly modulated performance” anchors the film.
Through a social media video (viaInstagram), Spaeny discussed what it was like watching the film with its subject, revealing that Presley was happy with her portrayal.
“I think the thing that was most touching to me, also terrifying [was] to be watching the movie with Priscilla Presley right next to me. But at the end, I think she felt really moved by it. She looked at me and she said, ‘That was a great performance,’ and that was the first time hearing that, which was — it’s just been absolutely surreal,” she said.
Spaeny first appeared in the sci-fi flickPacific RimUprising in 2018. Spaeny’s other credits includeBad Times at the El Royale,On the Basis of Sex, andVice,and a starring role inThe Craft: Legacy.On television, Spaeny appeared onDevs,the critically acclaimedMare of Easttown,and Showtime’sThe First Lady.She will next appear in Garland’sCivil War,alongside Dunst and Wagner Moura, and is set to lead a still untitled upcomingAlienfranchise film.
Coppola made her directorial debut withThe Virgin Suicides. In 2003, she received the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for2003’sLost in Translationand earned a nomination for Best Director for the same film. Other notable credits includeThe Bling Ring, Somewhere,andOn the Rocks.
