After wrapping up filming at the Tivoli Theatre, the production shifted back to Village Roadshow Studios for interior scenes. Weeks passed as the crew meticulously shot key moments, preparing for the next stage—moving onto the vast exterior sets that had been painstakingly constructed in Queensland.
The recreated streets, iconic venues, and neon-lit storefronts were finally ready. Trucks, trailers, and SUVs lined the perimeter of the set near A.B. College, creating a buzz in the usually quiet area. Crew members hurried about, setting up equipment, adjusting lights, and making final preparations.
The locals took notice.
"Looks like that Hollywood production is getting ready to roll," one man murmured, watching from a distance.
"I wonder if anyone famous is involved?" another asked, squinting toward the set.
Though big-budget Hollywood productions weren't unheard of in Australia, the sheer scale of this one sparked curiosity. The reconstructed streets looked too real, almost like they had stepped straight out of the 1950s.
Before the small crowd of onlookers could linger for long, security personnel began ushering them away. Some grumbled, while others simply shrugged and walked off. A few managed to snap quick photos before being moved along.
One such image—a shot of the sprawling, retro-styled set—soon found its way online.
A user on Whirlpool Forums, a well-known Australian discussion site, started a thread:
"Some Hollywood production is building a massive set near A.B. College."
Initially, the post didn't attract much attention. A handful of replies trickled in:
"Looks like Beale Street?"
"Feels very 1950s. Maybe some kind of historical drama?"
"Hollywood is shooting a post-war film or something? Kinda interesting."
Then, buried deep in the thread, an unnoticed comment surfaced:
"Lucas Knight and Tom Hanks are in Australia. Could this be their project?"
It was pure speculation, a shot in the dark. Even the commenter didn't actually believe it.
Meanwhile, on set, the cameras were already rolling.
Warner Bros. was determined to keep Taking Care of Business under wraps. With Lucas's global fame, the moment news leaked that he was playing Elvis, the internet would explode.
But secrecy on a film set was never easy.
Among the crew, a few opportunists had already spotted an opening.
One of them, Jon, eyed Lucas from afar, his mind racing.
A single photo of Lucas dressed as Elvis…
The resemblance was uncanny—Lucas had become Elvis in a way that would leave audiences stunned. If the public caught even a glimpse of it, the reaction would be explosive.
'The media would pay good money for this.'
Jon knew he had to be careful. He had seen others get blacklisted for leaking sensitive material. If he wanted to sell behind-the-scenes photos, he'd need to ensure his anonymity. He'd have to find the right buyer, someone who could protect his identity.
For now, he played the role of an ordinary crew member—keeping his head down, blending in.
But the temptation was there.
And he wasn't the only one considering it.
Other crew members had the same idea as Jon. They, too, saw an opportunity in the behind-the-scenes photos of Lucas as Elvis. But just like Jon, they knew the timing had to be perfect.
For now, they remained professional—blending in, acting as if they were just ordinary crew members dedicated to the project.
Releasing the photos too early would bring Warner Bros. down on them like a hammer. The studio would undoubtedly launch an investigation, track them down, and make an example out of them.
If the leaks happened now, production could be disrupted, security would be tightened, and the entire filming schedule might be thrown off course. That was the last thing any of them wanted.
No, if they were going to cash in on this, they had to wait.
Once the movie wrapped, when the buzz around Taking Care of Business was at its peak, that's when they would strike.
---
Inside the studio, cameras were rolling.
The production had made steady progress, capturing key moments of Elvis's rise to fame. The crew meticulously recreated historical events—from the backlash against his performances to the racial and political tension that shadowed his success.
One of the most intense sequences was now unfolding: Senator James Eastland and his allies, determined to put an end to Elvis's so-called "dangerous" influence.
Eastland, backed by powerful figures in the media, launched a smear campaign, branding Elvis as a bad influence on America's youth. In reality, the senator's disdain was rooted in something deeper—his hatred of the Southern gospel and Black influences in Elvis's music, which blurred racial lines and ignited change.
Forced into a corner, Parker pressured Elvis to change. The young star complied, performing sanitized, conservative acts that stripped away his original spirit.
But the frustration simmered beneath the surface.
On set, Lucas captured that frustration with eerie precision.
Elvis, usually warm and charismatic, now burned with quiet resentment. The transition from subdued compliance to suppressed anger was so raw that the entire crew could feel it.
Even those who knew it was just a scene felt a chill.
For a moment, it was as if Elvis himself was standing before them, seething with unspoken fury.
Then, the shift—Elvis, defiant once more.
The scene transitioned to the famous Rustwood Park Charity Concert, where he finally broke free from the restrictions imposed upon him.
Lucas, embodying Elvis, took center stage. The extras in the audience—many of whom had witnessed his earlier performances—were already captivated. But for the newcomers, the transformation was nothing short of mesmerizing.
The music started.
Lucas, guitar in hand, stepped forward, his movements slow at first. Then, with a sudden, electrifying energy, he launched into Trouble.
"If you're looking for trouble,
You came to the right place..."
The way he performed on stage, with raw defiance and unshaken confidence, clearly enraged Senator James Eastland. It was an act of rebellion, one that couldn't be tolerated. In retaliation, Parker—always the businessman—made a decision that would temporarily remove Elvis from the spotlight.
He arranged for Elvis to be drafted into the army.
The scene shifted.
The film moved into Elvis's time in the military, where he received the devastating news of his mother's passing. The emotional weight of the moment was palpable, with Lucas embodying the heartbreak of a son losing the one person who grounded him. The pain was real—visceral.
Then came the introduction of Priscilla.
At just 14 years old, Priscilla would become one of the most significant people in Elvis's life. Olivia, who played Priscilla, had already turned 18 a few months earlier in April, making her the perfect fit for the role.
With her youthful features, she convincingly portrayed a teenage Priscilla, and her chemistry with Lucas had already been well-established through weeks of rehearsals.
Yet, an unexpected guest on set changed everything.
Jennifer Lawrence.
She arrived quietly, taking in the massive 1950s-era set with admiration before heading straight toward Lucas. Without hesitation, she pulled him into a deep hug.
Olivia, standing nearby, suddenly felt a little out of place.
Lucas, ever the gentleman, pulled back and turned to introduce her. "This is Olivia. She's playing Priscilla."
Jennifer flashed a warm smile. "Hi, nice to meet you."
Olivia nodded, feeling shy under Jennifer's gaze. "Nice to meet you too."
Jennifer, ever perceptive, could sense Olivia's slight nervousness but didn't comment on it. Instead, she greeted Baz and the producers. "I'm just visiting my fiancé. I don't want to interrupt anything—I just wanted to see how he's doing."
Baz nodded in understanding.
Jennifer then turned back to Lucas, taking in his look—the slicked-back dark hair, the fitted period clothing, the unmistakable energy of Elvis Presley radiating from him.
"Wow," she murmured, genuinely impressed. "You really do look like Elvis right now. Maybe you are his long-lost twin."
Lucas laughed. "That just means you're lucky to be engaged to the King of Rock and Roll."
They shared a playful moment, and Olivia, despite herself, felt a pang of jealousy.
But the show had to go on.
When it was time to film a romantic scene between Elvis and Priscilla, Olivia found herself struggling. She had never felt this way before—she was used to acting alongside Lucas, but now, with Jennifer watching, the pressure felt different.
Several takes later, Baz noticed Olivia's hesitation.
Instead of forcing the scene, he called for a break. There was no point in rushing—this was a delicate scene, and Olivia needed to feel comfortable.
Jennifer, having noticed Olivia's discomfort, approached her with a knowing smile. "You look nervous."
Olivia hesitated before nodding. "Yeah… it's just… this scene involves kissing, and with you here, I—" She stopped herself, feeling embarrassed.
Jennifer chuckled. "I get it. But honestly? It's fine." She glanced at Lucas, then back at Olivia. "We're actors. I'm not petty enough to stand in the way of my fiancé's job."
Olivia blinked in surprise. She had expected some tension, maybe even some subtle possessiveness—but Jennifer was the exact opposite. She was understanding. Confident. Secure.
It made Olivia admire her even more.
"No wonder Lucas likes you," she blurted out before she could stop herself. "You're not only beautiful but kind as well."
Jennifer laughed. "I'll take that as a compliment."
With that reassurance, Olivia returned to the set feeling lighter.
The cameras rolled once more, and this time, she let herself slip into character. When the moment came, she kissed Lucas without hesitation, fully immersed in the role. The scene played out smoothly, and Baz called "cut!"
Some of the cast and crew instinctively turned toward Jennifer, expecting a reaction.
To their surprise, she was smiling.
Though, deep down, Jennifer was thinking to herself, 'It's fine, Jennifer. You'll have plenty of time to make sure those lips remember who they belong to after filming wraps.'
Still, as she looked at Lucas, she couldn't help but notice something else—he was filling out. His frame was changing.
He was gaining weight.
Of course, she knew it was intentional. It was all part of the transformation. Elvis's later years were marked by changes in his health, and Lucas was committing to the role fully.
Jennifer didn't stay long after catching up with Lucas. She had her own responsibilities in Australia—promoting The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2.
Meanwhile, the Elvis production continued for weeks.
The cast and crew were in awe of Lucas's dedication. He had transformed—first embodying the young, fit Elvis, and now, he had gained the weight needed to portray the later years, where addiction and health issues took their toll. Unlike Tom Hanks, who relied on heavy prosthetics, Lucas had let his body change naturally.
It was astonishing.
Then came the final scene.
Elvis's last performance.
Dressed in the iconic white jumpsuit, Lucas took his place on stage. The lights dimmed, the piano began to play, and with a quiet breath, he sang:
"Wise men say, only fools rush in…"
His voice, deep and rich, filled the space, carrying all the weight of a man who had given everything to his music.
The audience in the scene watched with admiration. The crew behind the cameras watched in stunned silence.
And then, the final note.
As the song faded, Baz let the silence linger before finally calling, "Cut!"
For a moment, no one moved.
Then, an eruption of applause.
The cast and crew, overwhelmed by what they had just witnessed, celebrated the end of filming.
To everyone's surprise, Lucas had one final gesture—he gifted every crew member a Rolex watch.
A murmur of disbelief swept through the team. Some were stunned, others speechless.
Among them was Jon.
Jon, who had been planning to leak behind-the-scenes photos to the media, now hesitated.
He had expected Lucas to be just another Hollywood star—someone untouchable, indifferent.
But Lucas had been nothing but kind. And now, with an expensive watch on his wrist, Jon felt an unexpected pang of guilt.
For the first time, he questioned himself.
Was it really worth it?