Apple pulls plug on Weinstein Co.’s Elvis biopic

Elvis Presley. Image: Instagram/@elvis

In light of the New York Times exposé of the decades-long settlement of sexual harassment cases by movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, it looks like the scandal affected his ex-company, too.

Deadline reports that tech giant Apple is backing out of releasing an Elvis Presley biopic series produced by The Weinstein Company. The company scored the deal with “The King”‘s estate last year, with exclusive rights to shoot in Graceland and use his personal belongings.

The project, which was still in its early stages, was planned to be a series or anthology, with fellow music icons Prince and Michael Jackson eyed as well to be subsequent subjects. It was supposed to be adapted from the Dave Marsh biography “Elvis” along with the singer’s personal journals.

Weinstein, company COO David Glasser, Presley associate Jerry Schilling, and Presley’s ex-wife Priscilla were set as executive producers.

The move comes after The Weinstein Company issued a statement that it has sacked its co-founder Sunday night. It has also removed his credits from television shows and future movies which he executively produced.

Deadline also reports that the distribution company is planning to rename itself altogether. Katrina Hallare/JB

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