How Austin Butler Prepared to Play Elvis

How Austin Butler Prepared to Play Elvis

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re discussing how Austin Butler prepared to play Elvis.

For this list, we’ll be looking at this American actor’s journey to becoming the King of Rock n Roll.

Do you think Butler did Elvis justice? Let us know in the comments.

The success of a musical biopic like “Elvis” boils down to casting the lead. By July 2019, several high-profile stars were in contention to play Presley, including Ansel Elgort, Harry Styles, Miles Teller, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson. Also in contention was a then-27-year-old Austin Butler, who appeared as Tex Watson in “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” that same month. Butler started pursuing acting at age 13, popping up in various Nickelodeon and Disney projects. By the time “Elvis” was green-lit, Butler still wasn’t a household name. However, while driving through Griffith Park with then-girlfriend Vanessa Hudgens, Butler felt destined to play Elvis when “Blue Christmas” came on and he sang along. “You need to play Elvis,” Hudgens said. Shortly after, Butler caught wind of the “Elvis” audition.

Butler devoured every Elvis song, movie, documentary, and YouTube video he could find to prepare. Initially, Butler tried recording a cover of “Love Me Tender,” but it came off as an impression. Like Elvis, Butler was 23 when his mother died, inspiring him to sing “Unchained Melody,” a song about grief rather than romance. When director Baz Luhrmann saw the recording, he compared it to watching a spycam. Wanting to see more, Luhrmann put Butler through a five-month audition, testing his ability to sing and read lines on the spot. For his first screen test, Butler sang “That’s Alright Mama,” which he thought felt “corny” and “fake.” Working with Luhrmann and the band, though, Butler found his voice and - like Elvis - became the music.

Although Butler didn’t feel confident following his final screen test, he eventually got the call from Luhrmann. It didn’t hurt that Denzel Washington, who worked with Butler on stage in “The Iceman Cometh,” called Luhrmann, recommending him for the Elvis role. As rigorous as the audition process proved, Butler’s road to becoming Elvis was just beginning. The most unpredictable hurdle came early in production. Shooting started on January 28, 2020 in Australia. On March 12, Butler’s co-star, Tom Hanks, and his wife, Rita Wilson, received positive COVID tests. With Hanks in jeopardy, some feared that the film wouldn’t happen at all. Thankfully, Hanks and Wilson recovered, but COVID extended far beyond the “Elvis” set.

As the world adjusted to the pandemic, “Elvis” halted production until September 23. Butler didn’t take those six months off, however. He’d use that time to train physically and mentally to channel Elvis. While filming was paused, Butler trained three times a week with former Olympic swimmer Ryan Gambin in Miami, emphasizing on getting Elvis’ essential hip movements down. Butler continued to train when shooting resumed, and in costume, no less. Although the film doesn’t explore Elvis’ passion for karate, Butler still worked the martial art into his exercise routine. He’d undergo karate training daily with his movement coach, Polly Bennett, whose credits include “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “No Time to Die.” Butler also engaged in swing and tap dancing, perfecting Elvis’ body language.

Butler collaborated with dialect coaches as well. Butler provided his own singing voice during Elvis’ early days. Later in the film, primarily around 1968 and beyond, Butler’s vocals were mixed with the real Elvis’. In addition to singing every day with his coaches, Butler strived to get every facet of Elvis’ distinctive voice down. Whether walking or falling asleep, Butler constantly had Elvis’s music in his ears. Listening to Presley interviews and speeches, Butler made a sound catalog of certain words, studying how he pronounced them. If Butler sounded even slightly off from the real deal, he’d continue to practice until his voice was identical. Butler also focused on different years, observing how Elvis’ voice changed over time along with his body.

During filming, Butler was given freedom to provide feedback on his own performance. For example, after watching the first take for “Hound Dog,” Butler felt he was “doing too much,” modifying his performance before finally being satisfied. Outside of moving, singing, and talking like Elvis, Butler wanted to get into his head. Reading books like “Elvis and the Colonel,” Butler developed a better understanding of Presley’ relationships with his mother, father, and manager. Hanks helped Butler get into character, supplying him with a typewriter. Butler and Hanks wrote messages to each other as Elvis and Col. Tom Parker, respectively. The two-time Oscar winner also gave Butler some helpful advice, telling him that he should read something every day unrelated to work to maintain his sanity.

It was apparent early on that Butler would deliver a dynamite performance, but the most meaningful endorsement came from Presley’s real-life family. Butler and Luhrmann traveled to many of the places that shaped Elvis. Going to Graceland, Luhrmann asked Butler if he’d like to meet Priscilla Presley, Elvis’ former wife. His first meeting with Priscilla ended with a big hug and Butler in tears. Likewise, Priscilla, daughter Lisa Marie Presley, and granddaughter Riley Keough got teary-eyed watching the film. Priscilla has repeatedly praised the picture, singling out Butler as “outstanding.” Halfway through one private screening, Priscilla turned to talent manager Jerry Schilling, saying, “WOW!!! Bravo to him…he knew he had big shoes to fill. He was extremely nervous playing this part. I can only imagine.”

While Elvis has been a breakout role for Butler, his performance didn’t come without great sacrifice. Butler essentially went into isolation for two years, spending more time alone with Mr. Presley than with his friends and family. He threw everything into the emotional demands of the role. But the physical demands came with their own cost. Even after shooting wrapped, Butler wasn’t able to resume life where he left off. The following day at 4:00 AM, Butler woke up “with excruciating pain.” At the hospital, it was found that Butler’s appendicitis has been affected by a virus. He’d spend a week in bed as a result. Butler’s body has since bounced back, but his mind was perhaps the main concern.

When you spend years engaged in a project, moving on can be difficult. Butler confided in Luhrmann and Hanks, fearing that he might sink into depression once “Elvis” was over. Luhrmann sensed that Butler was searching for a new purpose, suggesting that he “just jump right into something else.” Having landed roles in the World War II miniseries “Masters of the Air” and “Dune: Part Two,” Butler is sure to remain busy in the years to come. Before jumping back into work, though, Butler made another trip to Graceland. Although Butler “felt like an impostor” when he initially visited, it now felt like he “was coming home,” sensing Elvis’ spirit.

The past three years have brought Butler numerous challenges with his blood, sweat, and tears shining through in the final product. The film has been a critical and audience success with Butler’s performance being the main source of praise. Butler has already won Best Actor from the Hollywood Critics Association Midseason Film Awards. We’d be shocked if he didn’t garner a few more notices when award season kicks into high gear. Lisa Marie Presley wrote, “If he doesn’t get an Oscar for this, I will eat my own foot.” Elvis never got to act opposite Barbra Streisand, but it’s safe to say that a star has been born in Butler. The King lives on through him.