Austin Butler met Lisa Marie Presley after playing her father, Elvis Presley, on film, and the pair instantly connected — but their friendship was tragically cut short.
04.02.2023 - 02:17 / usmagazine.com
Can’t escape the King! Austin Butler went through in-depth training while preparing for his role in the 2022 Elvis Presley biopic — and his voice hasn’t been the same since.
In July 2019, it was announced that the Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood actor would be playing the legendary late musician in the Baz Luhrmann film. When shooting for the project began in early 2020, Luhrmann gushed about his leading man and his take on Elvis Presley.
“I always avoid getting in and heralding the work we’re doing before we do it, but during the testing process, his commitment, his transformative abilities from the young Elvis to beyond, he had been playing so very well,” the Moulin Rouge director said to Deadline in March 2020. “He was terrific. There was such great energy and excitement in the cast and company, about the show we were about to shoot.”
Ahead of filming, Butler studied the “Can’t Help Falling in Love With You” crooner’s mannerisms and his voice. In addition to playing the character, he also sang on the soundtrack. In June 2022, The Shannara Chronicles star opened up about all the training he did to master Elvis’ distinct sound.
“I sang every day [while preparing and filming] and would do my singing exercises first thing in the morning,” he said to Entertainment Weekly in June 2022. “It is really like a muscle. Through filming, I started noticing notes that I couldn’t hit in the beginning, suddenly, now I could hit those notes. I was widening my range. But it’s not just singing — you’re having to find vocal mannerisms. That could be a little tricky.”
After the movie premiered, Butler’s “Elvis voice” became a hot topic of discussion as he didn’t drop the act. When the
Austin Butler met Lisa Marie Presley after playing her father, Elvis Presley, on film, and the pair instantly connected — but their friendship was tragically cut short.
Austin Butler continued his streak of successful award wins for his role as the iconic Elvis Presley in the Baz Lurhmann-directed biopic, Elvis. On Sunday night, the actor picked up the gong for Best Leading Actor at the BAFTAs, where he paid tribute to the Presley family, and later described winning awards as "bittersweet" following the sudden death of Lisa Marie Presley, Elvis' daughter, in January. Austin, 31, appeared to still be adopting the Southern drawl he perfected to play Elvis in the film as he accepted his award, where he mentioned director Baz, saying: "This film would not have been possible without you." He then went on to show his appreciation for the Presley family, as he said: "I cannot thank you guys enough for your love and for sharing with me who Elvis truly was.
Paul Mescal and Austin Butler have led the stars putting on a dapper display at the 2023 EE BAFTA Film Awards on Sunday 19 February. Normal People star Paul, 27, and Elvis star Austin, 31, who are both nominated for Best Actor, joined the likes of Rami Malek, Taron Egerton, Jamie Dornan, Regé-Jean Page, Paapa Essiedu, Ed Westwick, Eddie Redmayne and Micheal Ward. Paul looked dapper in a black double breasted tuxedo complete with a white shirt and bow-tie as he posed on the red carpet.The actor also wore a #WithRefugees blue ribbon to show his support for refugees and displaced people around the world.
You can’t say Austin Butler doesn’t commit to his acting roles!
Stella Stevens, a ‘60s actress and Playboy Playmate who appeared in films like "Girls! Girls! Girls!," "The Nutty Professor" and later "The Poseidon Adventure," has died. She was 84. The star’s estate announced to The Associated Press that she passed away on Friday in Los Angeles after a long illness.
Austin Butler had a fun time proving he was the right man to play Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann's Oscar-nominated biopic,. The 31-year-old actor, who has received an Academy Award nod for his role as the iconic singer, opened up about how he convinced the director that he was right fit for the role.«Especially when I was trying to get the part before Baz really welcomed me on the journey, we were trying to figure out if I could play older Elvis,» Butler shared on podcast.
Austin Butler transformed into Elvis Presley for his Oscar-nominated role in Elvis, and he pulled inspiration from Ryan Gosling to pull off one part of the dramatic change.
Austin Butler is facing the fire.
Priscilla Presley just wasn’t quite sure about Austin Butler after he’d been cast as her late, ex-husband, Elvis Presley for Elvis.
Priscilla Presley and Austin Butler may have formed a strong bond after the Elvis biopic debuted, but that doesn't mean she wasn't dubious of him playing her iconic ex-husband.The actor has been widely lauded for this portrayal as the late King of Rock in the critically-acclaimed Baz Luhrman movie, earning both a Golden Globe win and an Oscar nomination.However, the Elvis director admits Priscilla, naturally, had very high standards and was even "cynical" when it came to casting.WATCH: Austin Butler thanks Lisa Marie And Priscilla Presley at 2023 Golden GlobesMORE: Kelly Ripa wows in skin-tight green wetsuit in honor of Philadelphia Eagles for Super BowlRecalling the casting process ahead of filming in Australia – which took nearly three years because of the coronavirus pandemic –Baz told Entertainment Tonight: "I was not gonna make the film unless I found someone who could play Elvis," adding: "I didn't really think I could."Though he eventually gained all of the confidence in the world after he saw Austin become Elvis, it didn't take away the "nerve-wracking" feeling when it came to showing Priscilla the movie.MORE: Was Rihanna's son at Super Bowl 2023? Her family life revealedHe admitted: "[Priscilla] was quite cynical about how this young kid could, in fact, manifest her husband," and the outlet reports the director noted how many "disappointments" the Presley family have felt over different on screen portrayals of the late Blue Suede Shoes singer. Priscilla became nothing but supportive of Austin after seeing the filmHe added: "I remember Priscilla said, 'I know I was hard on you,'" in an email she wrote to him.MORE: Travis and Jason Kelce's sad family history revealed ahead of Super BowlMORE: Goldie Hawn looks
— with the late singer's ex-wife, Priscilla Presley, and daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, watching closely — Baz Luhrmann knew it all came down to casting. «I was not gonna make the film unless I found someone who could play Elvis,» he recalled of the pre-production process. «I didn't really think I could.»Everything came together when he found Austin Butler, who devoted himself to learning The King's songs, mannerisms, and, of course, his iconic voice. However, Luhrmann said the most «nerve-wracking» screening of his entire career came when he sat down with Priscilla to show her the film for the first time."[Priscilla] was quite cynical about how this young kid could, in fact, manifest her husband," he shared, noting that the family has had their share of «disappointments» when it comes to portrayals of Elvis onscreen. «I remember Priscilla said, 'I know I was hard on you,' she wrote me an email… She said, 'Every wink, every move, if my husband was here he would say, 'Hot damn, you are me!''»«She said, 'How did he know about Elvis' rage, his stillness, his inner life, his complex inner life?'» he added. «Because that's not out there.
A little less conversation? Not for Austin Butler and Vanessa Hudgens, who have continued to talk about each other following their 2020 breakup.
Elvis, in which he portrayed the titular King of Rock, and so has his voice—a spot-on Elvis Presley impression. But the days of Elvis's scratchy twang may be behind him for good.On a February 3 episode of The Graham Norton Show, Butler opened up about the public's reaction to his Elvis voice. “It made me self-conscious for a second because I thought, Am I being phony? Is this not my voice?” he told Norton.
Since Austin Butler‘s star turn as Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann‘s “Elvis” last year, the actor has struggled to shake the singer’s iconic accent. But EW reports that on Friday’s episode of BBC One‘s “Graham Norton Show,” Butler confirmed he’s finally leaving it behind.
Austin Butler will always cherish the instant friendship he formed with Lisa Marie Presley.
Mourning his friend. Austin Butler opened up about his relationship with Lisa Marie Presley after playing her father, Elvis Presley, in Elvis.
that the “friend” who first envisioned him playing Elvis Presley was, in fact, Hudgens, his ex-girlfriend of nine years. What's more, he even gave her credit. A win for unappreciated ex-girlfriends everywhere? Sure, why not.When Butler first told the story to , he said, “I was going to look at Christmas lights with a friend.
Austin Butler would like to thank… Vanessa Hudgens.
They’re all shook up! Austin Butler and Vanessa Hudgens have both recounted the story of how his Elvis biopic role came to be — but fans have noticed some subtle differences in the tales.
On Tuesday, Austin Butler officially became an Oscar nominee for his onscreen portrayal of Elvis Presley.