Cailee Spaeny’s rise to stardom in Sofia Coppola’s film, Priscilla, doesn’t come as a surprise to those familiar with her young career. Hailing from Springfield, Missouri, Spaeny has consistently captivated audiences since her debut in Pacific Rim Uprising in 2018. She has since delivered compelling performances in Bad Times at the El Royale, How It Ends, and Mare of Easttown. What makes Spaeny’s rapid ascent even more impressive is the fact that she initially moved to Los Angeles with dreams of becoming a teenage pop star.
One of Spaeny’s most acclaimed roles prior to Priscilla was as Lyndon in Devs, a sci-fi miniseries directed by Alex Garland. Garland was so enamored with Spaeny and the rest of the cast that he voiced his desire to work with them again and started writing more material with them in mind. True to his word, he cast Spaeny and other Devs alums in his action-packed film, Civil War. However, it was the addition of Kirsten Dunst to the cast that would change Spaeny’s life. Dunst was highly impressed with Spaeny’s performance in Civil War and recommended her to Coppola, who was searching for an actress to play the titular role in Priscilla.
Spaeny was pleasantly surprised by the quick and informal audition process. She didn’t even have to do a chemistry read with her co-star Jacob Elordi, who plays Elvis Presley in the film. She received the news of her casting while still filming Civil War, allowing her to celebrate with Dunst and express her gratitude for the opportunity. Spaeny describes the experience as overwhelming and surreal, considering Coppola is her dream director.
Interestingly, Priscilla marks the fourth biographical role Spaeny has undertaken in the last five years. However, this role offered a unique opportunity for her to connect with the real-life person she was portraying. Spaeny had lengthy phone conversations with Priscilla herself, who welcomed her questions about anything and everything. In one conversation, Spaeny even heard Presley gasp as Elvis’s voice played on her radio in the background—a rare and eerie experience for Presley.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Spaeny discusses her tendency to not watch her own work and how Coppola convinced her to attend the Venice Film Festival premiere of Priscilla, where she eventually won the coveted Volpi Cup for Best Actress. Despite her recent success, Spaeny remains humble and emphasizes the importance of hard work and kindness in the industry.
Reflecting on her casting in Priscilla, Spaeny acknowledges the instrumental role Kirsten Dunst played in getting her the opportunity. Dunst’s faith in Spaeny’s talent, combined with her close relationship with Coppola, helped jumpstart the process. Spaeny also recognizes the domino effect that occurred from her collaboration with Alex Garland on Civil War, leading her to meet Dunst and ultimately land the role of Priscilla.
Although the casting process for Priscilla was relatively fast and informal, Spaeny expresses her shock and gratitude for the opportunity to work with her dream director, Sofia Coppola. As a teenage girl, Coppola’s films introduced Spaeny to the world of indie cinema, making this collaboration even more significant.
During the interview, Spaeny and her co-star Jacob Elordi also discuss their lack of a chemistry read before filming began. While there were initial discussions about it, Coppola ultimately felt confident in her casting choices and decided to proceed without one. Spaeny praises Coppola’s vision and confidence as a director, noting that her films have a distinct and confident style.
In preparation for the role, Spaeny relied on Priscilla’s book, Elvis and Me, and the script. She also had the opportunity to spend time with Priscilla herself. During their meetings, Spaeny aimed to create a safe space for Priscilla to share her experiences and emotions. She respected Priscilla’s boundaries and allowed the conversation to flow naturally. Spaeny found inspiration in observing Priscilla as a person and studying the way she carries herself.
In conclusion, Cailee Spaeny’s journey to portraying Priscilla Presley in Sofia Coppola’s film is a testament to her talent and hard work. From her early success in Pacific Rim Uprising to her acclaimed role in Devs, Spaeny has proven her versatility as an actress. Her collaboration with Kirsten Dunst and Sofia Coppola further solidifies her rising star status in Hollywood. With her upcoming role in Fede Álvarez’s Alien movie in 2024, Spaeny’s career trajectory shows no signs of slowing down.
