Netflix’s Return of the King: The Fall & Rise of Elvis Presley revisits the untold struggles and triumphs behind Elvis’s legendary 1968 comeback. The documentary exposes the fears, doubts, and determination that pushed him to reclaim his identity as a true artist after years of being stuck in formulaic Hollywood musicals. By the mid-1960s, Elvis felt trapped in films that failed to reflect his talent. Though he admired icons like James Dean and Marlon Brando, he believed his own career had drifted into mediocrity.
Priscilla Presley recalled how movies such as Double Trouble even made him the subject of jokes, deepening his frustration. Crippled by stage fright and desperate for change, Elvis began seeking guidance from trusted friends, including Jerry Schilling. Their rare interviews in the documentary reveal how seriously he questioned his future and whether audiences still cared.