An Elvis Hologram Is Coming

Physical copies of music are passe in today’s digital music world, and now physical musicians are no longer a requirement. After a hologram (or, more accurately, a “holographic image”) of Tupac Shakur became the watercooler moment from both weekends of Coachella 2012, an Elvis Presley hologram is in the works for a series of entertainment projects.

The “virtual Elvis likeness” will be created by Digital Domain Media Group, the creators behind the Tupac hologram. The company, also responsible for visual effects in films like The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Tron: Legacy and X-Men: First Class, will team up with Core Media Group to bring The King’s holographic image to television, film and other venues. 

“His lifelong fans will be thrilled all over again, and new audiences will discover the electric experience of Elvis the performer,” stated Jack Soden, president and CEO of Elvis Presley Enterprises. “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.”

The Tupac hologram was rumored to have cost between $100,000 and $400,000 to produce, though that figure isn’t ridiculous if you take into consideration the alternative. “I can say it’s affordable in the sense that if we had to bring entertainers around world and create concerts across the country, we could put [artists] in every venue in the country,” AV Concepts president Nick Smith told MTV back in April after the debut of the Tupac hologram.

The dawn of the holograms is just beginning, as plans are also in the works for a virtual image of Marilyn Monroe for a series of “live” performances. At this rate, we wouldn’t be surprised if living musicians started developing their own holograms just so they can tour without ever having to leave the house.

[Via THR]