Elvis Presley was 'displeased' with Hollywood and 'afraid' of performing before his comeback, according to a documentary.

Elvis Presley, by 1968, had appeared in more than 30 Hollywood films, but despite his aspirations to become the next James Dean or Marlon Brando, he felt disillusioned.

Elvis Presley's personal dissatisfaction and iconic comeback are the focus of Jason Hehir's new Netflix documentary, "Return of the King: The Fall & Rise of Elvis Presley." The documentary includes behind-the-scenes clips and new interviews with Priscilla Presley, Jerry Schilling, and other individuals.

"Hehir, who has seen almost every documentary on Elvis Presley, was intrigued by exploring his journey in the '60s, particularly his decision to perform in front of a live audience for the first time in seven years. 1968 was a pivotal year in Elvis's life, making it the perfect time to delve deeper into his experiences."

In the movie, Elvis Presley is heard expressing his frustration with making cash-grab musicals instead of taking on more serious roles.

"I knew that Hollywood's portrayal of me was inaccurate, but I was powerless to correct it," Presley stated. "I was at a loss, feeling bound to fulfill obligations despite not fully believing in them."

Presley stated that no amount of money could have made him feel satisfied if he had been paid it.

In the 1967 film "Double Trouble," the Grammy winner Presley sang the children's melody "Old MacDonald Had a Farm."

In the film, Priscilla, 79, stated that the scene was a crime.

"Putting him in that situation and singing that song made him a laughingstock, and he knew it was a crime."

Presley's film career left him feeling defeated and trapped, causing him to sometimes become physically ill, according to Hehir.

"Hehir stated that he was deeply dissatisfied and couldn't get out of bed. Many people don't realize how disappointed he was, as he took on movie roles and seemed to be taking the easy way out, earning enormous checks. However, it wasn't his ambition as an artist. Instead, it was a frustration for him. He couldn't even get out of bed because he was so starved for an artistic challenge. Despite this, he had locked himself into movie contracts, and his management had allowed him to be locked into them."

"Hollywood’s image of me was wrong, and I knew it, and I couldn’t do anything about it. I didn’t know what to do. I just felt I was obligated to things I didn’t fully believe in." — Elvis Presley

"Hehir stated, "Performing was what truly mattered to him, and after seven years of being on movie sets and doing mediocre films, a light bulb went off in his head. He wanted to do something for himself, not for his management or movie audiences. He yearned to get back to the Elvis he had always wanted to be.""

The former teen idol was determined to regain his position. Eager to revive his career, he agreed to appear in a groundbreaking hour-long program on NBC. However, at the age of 33, Presley felt insecure before his performance.

"Hehir revealed that he almost didn't leave his dressing room because he was terrified of going back out in front of an audience and had always suffered from stage fright. This fear dates back to the early days of performing, during the Ed Sullivan era. Despite his initial anxiety, once he got out there and started performing, he felt most comfortable on stage with a microphone in his hand."

"Hehir continued, "But he was terrified enough that the special almost didn't happen because he refused to leave his dressing room. He did not want to do it. If it wasn't for director Steve Binder going in and persuading him to come out, then we might not be having this conversation.""

In 1953, Presley took inspiration from Brando's role in "The Wild One" and wore a black leather suit to prove he was still relevant.

Seven years had passed since he last performed, and so much had changed since he was the one who could mesmerize crowds," Hehir remarked. "Now, instead of adoring teenage girls, they were mothers.

"Elvis was once a rebellious snarler before joining the army, but by 1968, he had become a family-friendly performer singing ballads and songs based on his films. In contrast, ten years earlier, Elvis was the talk of the town, but the music scene had evolved so much that he was no longer relevant."

ELVIS PRESLEY'S 1968 BORDELLO SCENE WAS CUT FOR BEING TOO RACY: DOC

He wondered, "Will they still like me now, even though they did before?"

The special revived a career that many critics believed was long over. After it aired, Presley fully immersed himself in touring. He also found solace in singing gospel music which, according to Hehir, "satisfied his soul."

"Hehir stated that his musical background was rooted in gospel. He learned about performing in churches and singing with preachers when he was younger. He found joy in this environment, which he considered the safest place for him to be. In 1967, he hit rock bottom creatively and spiritually. This prompted him to form an all-star team of gospel instrumentalists and singers."

"Hehir stated that Priscilla would listen to gospel music and play the piano alone in the middle of the night, and that the piano is still at Graceland. Gospel music provided him with comfort."

In 1977, at the age of 42, Presley passed away. Hehir aimed to highlight the pinnacle of Presley's career as a performer in his documentary.

"Hehir stated, "Elvis enjoyed jamming with his friends in private, and I wanted to showcase that aspect of him. I wanted to provide a different perspective from the typical documentaries that focus on his tragic end. This project presented an opportunity to end on a positive note.""

"Elvis's movie career was mismanaged, hindering his development as an actor and showcasing his acting skills. However, Hehir believes that Elvis recognized what he truly loved."