Elvis Presley’s stepbrother criticizes Austin Butler biopic

David Stanley criticizes Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis film, praises Priscilla’s accuracy, and disputes Lisa Marie’s account.

David Stanley, Elvis Presley’s stepbrother and former bodyguard, has spoken out against Baz Luhrmann’s 2022 biopic Elvis, expressing disappointment in how the film portrayed both the King of Rock and Roll and his longtime manager, Colonel Tom Parker.

In an exclusive interview with the Daily Express from Las Vegas—where Elvis famously held his iconic residencies—Stanley criticized the film for shifting focus away from Presley and vilifying Parker. “I was disappointed and ashamed because they made it about Colonel Parker,” he said. “Hollywood made him the villain. He was a tough businessman, but he wasn't the animal that the film depicted him to be.”

Stanley, who knew Parker from childhood, defended the manager’s legacy, calling the partnership between him and Elvis “a good pair.” While he complimented Austin Butler’s performance and the concert scene recreations, he felt the film failed to honor Elvis’ strength and complexity. “Shame on Hollywood for… making Elvis look like a wimp,” he added. “Nobody is Elvis.”

Conversely, Stanley praised Sofia Coppola’s 2023 film Priscilla, based on Priscilla Presley’s memoir Elvis and Me. He claimed the movie portrayed events more accurately, including tense moments in the couple’s relationship. “She showed Elvis throwing a chair at her… I saw that more than once,” Stanley recalled. However, he noted Elvis would often apologize afterward, sometimes with extravagant gifts like a car.

While Lisa Marie Presley, Elvis' daughter, had previously condemned Priscilla for its portrayal of her father, Stanley challenged her perspective. “Lisa only knew her dad until she was 9 years old. Her mother was there a lot longer. I was there a lot longer,” he stated, asserting that Priscilla’s depiction of events—such as her matching Elvis’ prescription drug use and coordinating their outfits—was true to his experience.

With deep personal ties to the Presley family, Stanley’s comments highlight ongoing debate over how Elvis’ legacy is portrayed on screen.