December 03, 2004 - IGN FilmForce has been advised by reliable sources that Emmy and Tony-winner Stockard Channing may portray Gladys Presley, the King of Rock n' Roll's beloved mother, in CBS' forthcoming miniseries Elvis.

Channing is perhaps best known as First Lady Abigail Bartlet on NBC's The West Wing and as Betty Rizzo in Grease. She also portrayed the mother of Adolf Hitler in CBS' controversial miniseries Hitler: The Rise of Evil, as well as mom Judy Shepard in the telepic The Matthew Shepard Story.

Her film credits include Life or Something Like It, The First Wives Club, Practical Magic, Six Degrees of Separation and Up Close and Personal. You might also remember Channing from her stint on Sesame Street or as the voice of Commissioner Barbara Gordon on the Batman Beyond cartoon.

IGN FilmForce was advised by ICM that Kathy Bates, whom we previously reported was up for the role of Gladys, would not be in Elvis.

As for the casting of the King himself, reps for Desperate Housewives co-star Jesse Metcalfe have repeatedly had no comment on whether he will play Elvis. A source close to the production, however, advised IGNFF today that Metcalfe won't be and that the role remains uncast. All actors being considered are unknowns and casting sessions continue in London and New York.

The much-publicized open casting call at CBS Studios did net one unknown actor. We were told the thesp was offered the role of Elvis but turned it down. IGNFF was informed flat-out that no Elvis impersonators have been or are under consideration to play Presley.

Look to IGNFF for more Elvis news as it happens!