Jacob Elordi as Elvis in Priscilla (2023) VS Austin Butler as Elvis (2022)
Round 1: The Voice
How Austin Butler Prepared to Play Elvis
Early in the production of Sofia Coppola’s “Priscilla,” the filmmakers decided that they didn’t want a flashy Elvis impersonator. You can go to Vegas for that. Rather, they sought to take a grounded approach, putting more emphasis on Elvis the person rather than Elvis the performer. This comes through in Jacob Elordi’s restrained Elvis voice. While maintaining a hint of Elvis’ signature baritone and tenor, Elordi never goes over the top with the Elvisisms we’d expect. This suits the muted sadness of Coppola’s film. At the same time, Elordi leans more into the classic Elvis voice when the press and fans are around, showing two sides of the King. Austin Butler went all in on perfecting his Elvis voice, meticulously studying how Presley said certain words and working closely with dialect coaches. Since Butler had to portray Elvis from his youth to his final years, he also researched how his voice evolved throughout the decades. Butler would fall asleep listening to recordings of Elvis’ voice, allowing it to worm into his subconscious. The voice would infamously stay with Butler by the time the film was released and even well into award season when he picked up a Best Actor Oscar nomination. While Butler’s commitment was almost comedic, he ultimately nailed Elvis’ voice without merely doing an impression. Each actor hits the notes that they need to, but Butler’s Elvis voice is almost indistinguishable from the real deal. Butler rocks this round. Jacob Elordi 0 / Austin Butler 1
Round 2: Physical Transformation
Top 10 Superheroes With Physical Disabilities
Elordi actually dressed as Elvis for Halloween in 2020, accompanying then-girlfriend Kaia Gerber as Priscilla. This was an early sign that Elordi could get the Elvis look down, but it never feels like he’s playing dress-up in Coppola’s film. When portraying Elvis, it’s easy to let the makeup, hair, and costumes do most of the work. Since Elordi is playing a more stripped-down version of Elvis, he’s able to focus on his inner turmoil, conveying a larger-than-life personality who feels repressed inside. Elordi seamlessly transitions between Elvis’ cool cat public persona and the bleak man behind the glamor. Much of this is expressed through Elordi’s body language, finding the subtlety in a towering figure. As seen in Baz Luhrmann’s film, all of the applause and sold-out shows came at the expense of Elvis’ deteriorating health. Although Butler was never pushed to such extremes, playing Elvis did take its toll. His training with movement coach Polly Bennett was equally physical and mental, delving into why Elvis danced rather than how he danced. Butler made karate part of his daily routine, throwing out his shoulder and popping his knee. In and out of rehab, the biggest hurdle came toward the shoot’s end. Butler was rushed to the hospital the day after wrapping, spending the next week in bed. The actor put years into this role, which comes across in every mannerism. Both actors did their homework, although Butler took the time to do all of the extra credit, truly embodying Elvis on stage and off. Another point for Butler. Jacob Elordi 0 / Austin Butler 2
Round 3: Dynamic with Priscilla
Anyone who’s seen “Euphoria” knows that Elordi can play a straight-up monster. Elordi’s Elvis is an idyllic partner compared to Nate Jacobs. However, Elordi doesn’t shy away from Elvis’ obvious shortcomings as a husband. Elvis has little control over what movies he stars in or which songs he sings. He projects this onto Priscilla, controlling what she wears and where she goes, treating her like a doll that must be sheltered. He has violent outbursts toward her, almost immediately regretting each of them. Elordi effectively balances Elvis’ domineering and tender sides, bringing out dimensions that only Priscilla truly understands. For all of his faults, Elordi’s Elvis still loves Priscilla enough to let her go. Elvis’ relationship with Priscilla isn’t given as much attention in Luhrmann’s film. While Butler has natural chemistry with actress Olivia DeJonge during their limited screen time, the film tiptoes around the less flattering aspects of Elvis and Priscilla’s relationship. Her young age never comes up and Elvis’ more abusive moments are omitted. That’s not to say that the film ignores the ugly chapters of their romance. When the marriage inevitably ends, we feel the pain from both parties while sensing the love that’ll never die. Even at its grittiest, the relationship can still feel romanticized, although this is consistent with the rest of the film. Elordi and co-star Cailee Spaeny are not only given more time to explore this dynamic, but their portrayal also feels more honest - not just to Elvis and Priscilla, but to the nature of marriage. Elordi takes this round with Spaeny giving him a boost. Jacob Elordi 1 / Austin Butler 2
Round 4: Elvis, The Man Behind the Myth
Top 10 Things Elvis (2022) Got Factually Right & Wrong
Elvis is one of the most iconic figures who ever lived. While anyone can instantly recognize his looks and voice, only a handful of people can tell you what he was like behind the scenes. “Priscilla” presents a unique perspective, exploring Elvis through his wife’s eyes. Even with the curtain pulled back, Elvis remains something of an enigma. Elordi nonetheless captures what the cameras didn’t: a charismatic yet melancholy human being who became eclipsed by his own persona and legend. Just as Priscilla feels trapped in Graceland, Elvis feels trapped almost everywhere he goes with others watching his every move. Elvis doesn’t have to be Elvis when he’s alone with Priscilla, but this is also where we find him at his most insecure. Whether he’s performing onstage or enduring a meltdown backstage, Butler goes big as Elvis. While this lacks the subtlety of Elordi’s approach, Butler genuinely encompasses the fear, anger, and heartache that Elvis attempted to hide from the public. The world saw Elvis as a king when in reality, his kingdom was being run by the manipulative Colonel Tom Parker. As powerful as Elvis comes across before an audience, the Colonel is a puppetmaster who won’t cut his strings. Although the Colonel was arguably responsible for Elvis’ downfall, Butler’s version recognizes that Elvis himself wasn’t without personal flaws. We see the addictions and deceit that cost him dearly with Butler still making Elvis sympathetic. Despite being more of a supporting player in “Priscilla,” Elordi puts Elvis the man before Elvis the celebrity, making him this round’s victor. Jacob Elordi 2 / Austin Butler 2
Round 5: Elvis, The Showman
How Elvis Has Been Portrayed Over the Years
Outside of a piano ditty and a TV appearance, Coppola’s film doesn’t give Elordi many opportunities to bring down the house as Elvis. The filmmakers didn’t even get the rights to Elvis’ songs, although this allowed them to get creative in telling this story. Despite rarely singing, Elordi’s Elvis is constantly performing. With adoring fans around every corner, Elvis always has to come off as confident and charming. It’s almost second nature to him, but it’s at least partially an act. It’s a shame that Elvis never got a serious movie role because he was - at least to an extent - method acting every moment of his professional life. Elordi presents the lonely existence of someone born to entertain. Butler absorbed every ounce of Elvis footage he could find to prepare for the role. This shines through in his invigorating performance. Recordings of Elvis were used during the third act when we reach his later years. However, most of the musical numbers rely on Butler’s vocals, which are practically identical to the real Elvis. While Butler had been playing guitar since age 13, this was more of a therapeutic exercise. He had minimal public singing experience before landing the part. He wasn’t a seasoned dancer either. Based on the way Butler moves his legs and throat muscles, though, you’d swear that he had been training for this role his whole life. As different as their interpretations are, Elordi and Butler together deliver a complete portrait of Elvis Presley. Elordi summons Elvis’ understated side, but we see less of the showman. Butler doubles down on Elvis the entertainer rather than Elvis the man, although this approach is arguably more faithful to what Elvis stood for. Above all else, Elvis was a showman, shining brighter than few other stars. For that, Butler sings his way to the winning point. Jacob Elordi 2 / Austin Butler 3 Which depiction of Elvis do you prefer? Performances aside, do you think “Priscilla” or “Elvis” is the stronger film overall? Sing us the blues in the comments.
