Oh And By The Way ACADEMY AWARDS!!!

Oh and by the way ACADEMY AWARDS!!!

I pity anyone who doesn't believe in the power of art and human connection. They're truly missing out on the tremendous beauty and depth of life. If I had never watched Baz Luhrmann's Elvis, this past week would've just been another average week in January, and frankly a rather frustrating start to the new year. Instead, it's been an emotional roller coaster ride filled with overwhelming joy, opportunity, exhilaration, celebration, disbelief and now heartache. Tonight once again I'm reminded of how incredible this community is and how lucky we all are to have found each other; strangers on the internet whose hearts have been strung together by chance. Because while all our stories are different, it's the emotional resonance of one man's artistry that has led us here to each other in some way, shape or form. We're connected now, even if it doesn't always feel that way gazing into our screens. But the collective outpouring of emotional highs and lows I've witnessed this week is almost unbelievable. Art truly brings people together in profound ways and I'm so grateful to be on this journey with you all.

And to think I wouldn't be here, feeling all the things I'm feeling right now... if I hadn't gone to the movies last June. That's wild.

This is so adorable. I melted with all the haha’s and lol’s. I actually watched this movie last week and still can not believe he was only sixteen. I also live in NZ and all the things he said about us were very true

discovered tonight that austin had a little blog going on his official website in 2008. whoever had the sense to put all this in the wayback machine at some point, i owe you a drink and a kiss. also the movie he’s referring to here is aliens in the attic, it must’ve had a diff name at some point!

This is only the beginning for Austin. I wish him much success with his upcoming projects and carrying on with his career. He was nominated and that was bigger than he could ever imagine.

So since Elvis fans are discussing the new announcement…I guess I’ll talk about it

So for those who don’t know, it was announced that Sofia Coppola, acclaimed filmmaker and one that I actually kinda like, is making a bio-pic about Priscilla Presley, specifically about her memoir Elvis and Me (which is a great read btw).

But not only that, but casted in the role of Elvis is Jacob Elordi who dated Kaia Gerber who is currently dating Austin.

That’s the most I will ever talk about celebrity news.

Okay.

I love Sofia’s work. I think she’s a great filmmaker and I would love to see how she’d adapt the book with her style.

However.

The movie won’t be out for a while. Casting announcement means this thing is probably well into pre-production. And a big budget Hollywood bio-pic from a critically acclaimed director that will want to be an awards contender, won’t be out for a while. The guess being thrown around in the fandom is 2024.

However.

The casting announcement coming out practically three months after Elvis (2022)’s release while we’re still riding the high, and even the movie itself, feels like a deliberate cash grab to capitalize on all this new Elvis hype.

And that must suck for Austin and Jacob who are now going to be pitted against each other and constantly compared.

But also yeah. Austin worked his ass off for this role and now someone else is riding his high. That must be unfair.

And yeah. I’m not sure how Priscilla and Lisa Marie will take to this.

Idk how the book rights work with this whole thing. Like idk if Priscilla owns the book rights but the vibe I’m getting is she wasn’t consulted and I have no clue how true that is. But Elvis (2022) was the most accurate film on Elvis’s life and it was the one the family was the most happy with. So this does feel a little insulting that this announcement is riding the high of a film that was truly a passion project for those involved.

So what are my thoughts?

I don’t know dude. On one hand, I’m interested in another version of this story especially done by another pretty great filmmaker. But on the other, it feels so cash grabby and like a PR stunt. Like Jacob being cast is not a coincidence. And I don’t want to compare the two, even though I think Austin is probably going to be the better of the two

We’ll see what happens but yeah this whole thing does leave a bad taste in my mouth

I am 100% calling out the Academy right now.

Are you gonna sit there and tell me that this man

THIS MAN

Didn’t deserve a fucking Oscar for his role? You’re going to look me in the face and tell me that a man who put his life ON HOLD for THREE GOD DAMN YEARS to throw himself into this larger than life piece of art deserves to lose? No. I’m calling bull shit.

Don’t misunderstand me, I respect the hell out of Brendan. He’s an amazing actor and an amazing man who had been through hell in his personal life and his career. I don’t deny that he did amazing in The Whale. But here’s the thing. Brendan came to set everyday and played a part. He read his lines, did his part, then went home. Austin didn’t do that. Austin never turned it off. Austin BECAME Elvis. He didn’t play a role, he became an icon. So much so that Elvis’s own family said that they wouldn’t be able to tell a difference at some points. I can somewhat overlook the disrespect the movie was shown in the other categories, but Austin deserved this. For him, for Baz, for Lisa, and for Elvis himself. I’m so unreasonably mad. I know people will disagree and that’s fine. Everyone has their right to an opinion. This just happens to be mine.

Aus, honey, you did amazing. So many people are so proud of how well you portrayed such a monumental role. No one could have done what you did. I’m proud, your fans are proud, and I know your mom, Lisa, and Elvis are all looking down so incredibly proud of everything that you’ve accomplished. You deserved better, but don’t let this discourage you. In our hearts you won that award tonight. We love you. Take the break you deserve.