Digital Domain to Create Virtual Elvis Presley

Press release from Digital Domain:

Port St. Lucie, FL -- Digital production company Digital Domain Media Group [1] announced that it has signed an exclusive agreement with CORE Media Group [2] (formerly CKx) to jointly develop, produce and own a series of "virtual" Elvis Presley likenesses for a range of entertainment projects -- from shows and appearances to film, TV and multi-platform productions throughout the world.

Digital Domain Media Group, the only company whose employees have received an Academy Award for creating a completely believable computer-generated (CG) human, created the CG likeness of Tupac Shakur for Dr. Dre's recent show at the Coachella Valley Music Festival. CORE Media Group, a portfolio company of Apollo Global Management LLC, is the driving force behind such iconic brands as Elvis Presley, Muhammad Ali, "American Idol" and "So You Think You Can Dance."

"This is a new and exciting way to bring the magic and music of Elvis Presley to life. His lifelong fans will be thrilled all over again and new audiences will discover the electric experience of Elvis the performer," said Elvis Presley Enterprises President and CEO, Jack Soden. "The high level of quality entertainment that both CORE Media Group and Digital Domain deliver gives us great confidence that these projects will help continue the growth of Elvis' rich legacy all over the world." Elvis Presley Enterprises is a division of CORE Media Group.

The companies have already begun work on the virtual Elvis Presley likenesses and will announce when and where audiences can expect to see the first virtual Elvis performances.

"Elvis is the most iconic, most recognized performer on the planet, and we are thrilled to have been chosen to bring new performances and original shows where fans can have their own, new experiences of Elvis," said Digital Domain Media Group Chairman and CEO John Textor. "In addition to being a dream project on the creative side, this agreement enables us to participate in the success of any number of potential virtual Elvis appearances."

"As we look for new ways to offer audiences our intellectual property across multiple platforms, this partnership is the perfect fit for CORE Media, and exactly the type of announcement you can expect to see more of from us," said CORE Media Group President Marc Graboff. "Clearly the team at Digital Domain is at the leading edge of the virtual experience arena, and we are anxious to get working on this exciting project."

With more than 150 albums and singles certified gold, platinum or multi-platinum, Elvis Presley continues to show the world why he's the King. From Broadway plays and live entertainment to books, movies, television, music, and concerts, Elvis sightings occur every day, all over the world. With more than six million fans on Facebook, over 70,000 official app downloads and more than five million unique visitors annually to Elvis.com, he is also now the King of Digital.

From Digital Domain's work on "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" to "TRON: Legacy," "X-Men: First Class" to Tupac Shakur, the company has spent a decade and tens of millions of dollars in perpetual development perfecting its technology, tools, and techniques to create realistic computer generated humans.