Baz Luhrmann Returns to Elvis with ‘EPiC’ and Sets Sights on Joan of Arc

Baz Luhrmann is balancing a return to the world of Elvis Presley with preparations for his long-awaited film about Joan of Arc. His latest project, “EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert,” opened exclusively in IMAX theaters this weekend before expanding to wider release on Friday, February 27, 2026 [Variety].

A Cinematic Concert Experience

“EPiC” utilizes 59 hours of previously unseen performance and B-roll footage of Elvis Presley, restored to IMAX quality with the assistance of Peter Jackson’s Park Road team, similar to the operate done on “The Beatles: Get Back” [This is for Reel]. The film focuses on concerts from the early 1970s, a period Luhrmann considers to be Presley’s peak performance era. The initial release in 325 IMAX theaters averaged $10,000 per screen, the highest of any film currently playing [Variety].

Luhrmann’s Vision for Elvis

Luhrmann described the film as a “tone poem,” aiming to create an immersive experience where Elvis Presley seems to share his story directly to the audience through performance and narration [Rolling Stone]. He emphasized the importance of a theatrical experience, encouraging fans to see the film on the biggest screen possible. Luhrmann personally appeared at IMAX screenings in Australia and London, and at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles, a venue he holds in high regard [Variety].

Unearthing Lost Footage and Audio

The project began during the production of the 2022 Elvis biopic, when Luhrmann discovered the extensive archive of footage stored in a Kansas salt mine [Rolling Stone]. Alongside the concert footage, the team uncovered approximately 50 minutes of audio featuring Elvis Presley discussing his life and career in a candid manner. Finding the original audio proved challenging, requiring the team to locate and trade bootleg recordings [Rolling Stone].

Beyond ‘EPiC’: The Joan of Arc Project

While revisiting the world of Elvis, Luhrmann is actively preparing to begin production on his long-gestating film about Joan of Arc. He is currently in pre-production and has been working on the script and story structure in Australia [Variety]. Luhrmann has cast Isla Johnston in the lead role [Variety].

Bono’s Contribution

The film features a poem written and narrated by Bono, lead singer of U2, at the conclude of the film [Variety].