Australian film producer Baz Luhrmann may not have to cast a wide net to find an actor to play Elvis Presley in his big-budget film being shot on the Gold Coast.
Elvis Roberts — yes, that is his real name — from Banora Point on the southern Gold Coast said he had a burning love for The King and acting.
"I really want to be in it," he said.
"That's my goal — I really want to be a movie star.
"I've always acted, I make little short films and I have been in two feature films, but only as extras."
The 23-year-old has been working in a pet store and said he tried to email Luhrmann when he heard the movie about Presley's life was going to be filmed at the Village Roadshow Studios on the Gold Coast.
"It would be good to play Elvis, because you won't have to change my name," Mr Roberts said.
Dual Oscar winner Tom Hanks has been signed to play the role of Presley's manager Colonel Tom Parker.
When the film was announced by the Queensland Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk last week, Luhrmann said he was conducting a worldwide search for the leading role of Elvis, but added he would also employ locally.
"I am committed … to developing Queensland's creative culture and supporting filmmakers, storytellers and artists of all kinds, in the same manner that we ourselves were supported and mentored early in our careers."
'A passion inside of me'
Mr Roberts' love of Presley came from his father, Rusty Roberts, who said he had amassed Australia's largest collection of Elvis Presley memorabilia.
"It's enormous," Rusty said.
"Anyone can step forward and try to challenge me.
"Collecting Elvis is like breathing to me. I just wake up and start doing it."
The 47-year-old personal trainer said he wants to work on the Elvis Presley movie as a technical advisor.
"Anything I say would be gospel," Rusty said.
"I had Elvis as a passion inside of me as a child, I read about Elvis every day, I watch Elvis every day."
"You can't just go and read one book and know everything."
Mr Roberts and his father have been regular fixtures in the Elvis Presley community with the pair regularly performing at tribute festivals.
"We do Elvis shows at weddings, parties, you name it," he said.
"He does the older [Elvis], I do the younger."
The film is expected to create 900 jobs and inject more than $105 million into the Queensland economy.
A spokesman from Village Roadshow Studios said the production schedule is expected to be finalised in the coming weeks.
