Movie Spotlight: 3000 Miles to Graceland (2001)

What do you get when you mix Elvis impersonators, a high-stakes heist, and a whole lot of bullets? 3000 Miles to Graceland (2001), a chaotic crime thriller that doubles as a bizarre love letter to the King of Rock ’n’ Roll. Directed by Demian Lichtenstein and released by Warner Bros., the film stars Kurt Russell and Kevin Costner as ex-cons who pull off a daring casino robbery during an Elvis convention—while dressed as the man himself.

Russell, no stranger to playing Elvis (see Elvis (1979), directed by John Carpenter), takes on the role of Michael, a criminal with a conscience, while Costner plays Murphy, a ruthless outlaw who believes he’s the illegitimate son of the King. With a cast that includes Courteney Cox, Christian Slater, and Ice-T, the film is packed with action, betrayal, and an over-the-top Vegas aesthetic.

Beneath its gun-blazing, neon-lit madness, 3000 Miles to Graceland plays with themes of identity, legacy, and the mythology of Elvis Presley. Costner’s character, with his delusional belief in his royal bloodline, mirrors the way celebrity and nostalgia can breed larger-than-life personas. The film also taps into the Wild West spirit—Vegas standing in for a lawless frontier where only the most cunning outlaws survive.

While it was a box office flop, 3000 Miles to Graceland has earned a cult following for its sheer absurdity, stylized violence, and that “so bad it’s good” energy. Whether you see it as a misguided action flick or an underappreciated gem, one thing’s for sure: it’s the only movie where Kevin Costner tries to out-Elvis Kurt Russell—and that alone makes it worth the ride.