Austin Butler Cast As Elvis In Baz Luhrmann’s Untitled Biopic
Christian Hubbard
Posted On July 15, 2019
As first reported by Deadline, Baz Luhrmann (Australia) has chosen Austin Butler (Once Upon A Time In Hollywood) as his choice to play The King of Rock and Roll in the upcoming biopic.
Tom Hanks has already joined the film as Colonel Tom Parker who spent over 20 years as Elvis’ manager. The film will depict the unprecedented and tumultuous success of Elvis. It will begin production in early 2020 in Queensland, Australia.
The 27-year-old Butler has had a nearly 20 career in Hollywood as well. His has previously appeared in Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide, The Dead Don’t Die and Switched At Birth.
READ: Tom Hanks Cast As Elvis Presley’s Manager In Upcoming Biopic
After weeks of rumors as to who would play Elvis, Butler beat out the likes of Miles Teller and Harry Styles to earn the role. In a statement, Luhrmann described his thought-process when choosing performers for this movie.
“I knew I couldn’t make this film if the casting wasn’t absolutely right, and we searched thoroughly for an actor with the ability to evoke the singular natural movement and vocal qualities of this peerless star, but also the inner vulnerability of the artist,” Luhrmann said. “Throughout the casting process, it was an honor for me to encounter such a vast array of talent. I had heard about Austin Butler from his stand-out role opposite Denzel Washington in The Iceman Cometh on Broadway, and through a journey of extensive screen testing and music and performance workshops, I knew unequivocally that I had found someone who could embody the spirit of one of the world’s most iconic musical figures.”
The film will undoubtedly feature several musical elements. Warner Bros surely hopes to capitalize on the recent success of other musician biopics like Rocketman and Bohemian Rhapsody.
What do you think of the choice to play Elvis? Let us know in the comments below!
