Colin Hanks, Johnny Knoxville, Alex Pettyfer, Tracy Letts and Sky Ferreira have joined the cast of Liza Johnson’s upcoming drama “Elvis & Nixon,” an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap.
The group joins titular leads Michael Shannon and Kevin Spacey, who will play rock icon Elvis Presley and President Richard Nixon, respectively. The film, inspired by a true meeting of the two vastly different personalities on the morning of Dec. 21, 1970, also co-stars Evan Peters (“X-Men: Days of Future Past”).
Cary Elwes penned the script, which focuses on the unlikely meeting, which culminated in the rock star begging his Commander-in-Chief to swear him in as an agent in the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs.
Pettyfer is set to play Elvis’ best friend Jerry Schilling, who tags along with him to Washington, D.C, while Hanks will play an aide to President Nixon, Egil Krogh. Knoxville has been tapped as Elvis’s head of security, with Ferreira playing the “Love Me Tender” singer’s love interest.
Cassian Elwes, Cary Elwes and Holly Wiersma are producing, with Autumn Pictures’ David Hansen and Johnny Mac executive producing alongside Byron Wetzel, Robert Ogden Barnum and Jerry Schilling.
Hanks previously starred as an aide to a different president in Oliver Stone‘s “W.” His directorial debut “All Things Must Pass,” a documentary on the rise and fall of Tower Records, is currently in post-production
UTA and MGMT Entertainment represent Hanks.
LBI Entertainment represents Pettyfer, who most recently starred in “Endless Love.” CAA and 3 Arts Entertainment rep Knoxville, who is best known for his “Jackass” projects, and is currently filming “Skiptrace” alongside Jackie Chan. Innovative Artists reps “Homeland” star Letts. CAA and Mosaic rep Ferreira, who is best known for her singing and songwriting, but also starred in “Vampire Academy.”
THR first reported the casting.