Baz Luhrmann recalled his friendship with David Bowie, explaining how they almost worked together on a project in Berlin.

The director, who worked with the late musician on the 2001 soundtrack Red Mill!Told NME on how Bowie’s classic track “Changes” impacted his life.

“From the moment I first heard this song, I was a huge Bowie fan,” Luhrmann said. “I ended up working with him [on the Moulin Rouge! soundtrack] then towards the end of his life, he became a very good friend.

“He used to come and we would walk the dogs. We were talking about going to Berlin at some point to do something together. I must have been so stupid, why didn’t I just say yes? »

For the Red Mill! soundtrack, Bowie contributed tracks “Heroes”, “Diamond Dogs” and covered Nat King Cole’s “Nature Boy”.

Luhrmann’s next film is a biopic Elvisstarring Austin Butler as Elvis Presley alongside Tom Hanks as manager Colonel Tom Parker.

The biopic also stars Helen Thomson as Gladys, Elvis’ mother, Richard Roxburgh as his father Vernon, and Olivia DeJonge as his wife Priscilla Presley. Other cast members include Luke Bracey, David Wenham, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Kelvin Harrison Jr., and Josh McConville.

A synopsis reads: “The story delves into the complex dynamic between Presley and Parker spanning 20 years, from Presley’s rise to stardom to his unprecedented stardom, against the backdrop of the changing cultural landscape and loss of innocence in America.”

Luhrmann recently explained why he didn’t cast Harry Styles as Presley, after meeting with him to discuss the role.

“Harry is a really talented actor,” Luhrmann said. “I would work on something with him…but the real problem with Harry is that he’s Harry Styles.” It’s already an icon.

Elvis hits UK and US cinemas on June 24.