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Austin Butler ‘Went Home in Tears’ While Filming Elvis Biopic

Left Photo Credit: Jeremy Chan/Getty Images; Right Photo Credit: Warner Bros Pictures via MovieStillsDB
Left Photo Credit: Jeremy Chan/Getty Images; Right Photo Credit: Warner Bros Pictures via MovieStillsDB

Of the estimated 400,000 Elvis Presley impersonators worldwide, many critics believe that only one man has successfully done the impossible: transformed into the King of Rock and Roll himself. Austin Butler, who plays the titular role in Baz Luhrmann’s film Elvis, has quickly become a frontrunner for the 2022 Academy Awards for his awe-inspiring depiction of Elvis Presley. One thing Butler wants fans to know is that becoming Elvis was far from easy.

Butler landed the role while singing in a robe

The beginning of Austin Butler’s Elvis journey began when director Baz Luhrmann received a video of Butler singing “Unchained Melody” in a robe. Luhrmann was taken aback by the out-of-the-blue message but fascinated by the young actor’s talent, asking “Was it an audition? Or was he having a breakdown?”

Austin Butler as Elvis Presley
Austin Butler as Elvis Presley in Elvis. (Photo Credit: Warner Bros Pictures / MovieStillsDB)

The director brought Butler into the studio to rehearse potential scenes. Butler’s commitment to the role was at times so intense that not even Luhrmann could tell if he was in character. With an endearing Southern accent, many people on set were surprised to learn Butler wasn’t Southern at all – he was from Orange Country, California.

In an interview with GQ magazine, Butler shared how he struggled to keep Elvis separate from himself: “You can lose touch with who you actually are. And I definitely had that when I finished Elvis – not knowing who I was.”

The Elvis star’s immersive method was intensified when the Australia-based film set was shut down in March 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Rather than pack his bags and head home to LA, Austin Butler stayed in Australia for six months and researched every aspect of Presley’s life.

Blood, sweat, and tears

When filming wrapped in March 2021, Butler’s dedication to his role had taken a toll on his health. “The next day I woke up at four in the morning with excruciating pain, and I was rushed to hospital,” said Butler.

Side by side photo of Austin Butler as Elvis standing in a purple suit, and Elvis in black pants and a blue suit holding a guitar.
Austin Butler as Elvis Presley, and Elvis Presley c. 1955. (Photo Credit: Warner Bros Pictures / MovieDStillsDB and Hulton Archive/ Stringer / Getty Images)

Filming the nearly three-hour-long movie was just as emotionally exhausting as it was physically. In an interview, Austin later opened up about a particularly overwhelming experience on set that left him “in tears” after Lurhmann and other executives heckled him on his first day of recording the music for the film. 

Butler believed that the heckling was done on purpose to emulate how Presley would have felt as audience members hurled insults during his first live performance, which is depicted in the film. When we were filming this moment when Elvis first got on stage and he’s getting heckled by the audience, I knew what that felt like,” Butler recalled. “I went home in tears that night. I really did.”

Austin Butler and Tom Hanks pursued by fans in the film 'Elvis'
Austin Butler as Elvis Presley and Tom Hanks as Col. Tom Parker in Elvis. (Photo Credit: Warner Bros Pictures / MovieStillsDB)

This wasn’t the only time that Baz Luhrmann pushed his actors a little too far. Apparently, Leonardo DiCaprio even warned that Baz would likely “push you in ways you didn’t know somebody could,’” Austin said. “‘He’s gonna push you off balance and keep you off balance.’”

On a recent podcast, Luhrman had nothing but praise for Butler’s depiction of Elvis, even saying he was practically born to play the role. “He just happened, like, two years nonstop living and breathing as Elvis,” Baz said. “He’s now going through a…deprogramming thing because he’s been a long time since he’s known who he was.”

Baz Luhrmann talks with Austin Butler while filming a scene for 'Elvis'
Director Baz Luhrmann and Austin Butler behind the scenes while filming Elvis. (Photo Credit: Warner Bros Pictures / MovieStillsDB)

Even Butler’s voice has a hard time letting go of the King’s Memphis accent. After confusing fans with an on-and-off Southern accent in interviews, Austin finally addressed the issue with ELLE Australia: “I mean, that was the voice that I spoke in for two years… It is so habitual at the end, you get done and you kind of don’t remember what your natural voice is.” 

Austin’s Oscar buzz

Priscilla Presley and Austin Butler at the Cannes Film Festival
Priscilla Presley and Autin Butler at the 75th annual Cannes film festival at Palais des Festivals on May 26, 2022 in Cannes, France (Photo Credit: Joe Maher/Getty Images)

Judging by the 12-minute standing ovation Elvis received during its premiere at Cannes Film Festival, it’s no wonder that Hollywood is abuzz with rumors of an Oscar win for Austin Butler. Even Lisa Marie Presley, Elvis’ daughter, announced via Twitter that Butler’s performance was “unprecedented and FINALLY done accurately and respectfully.”

More from us: Here’s What 8 Characters from ‘Elvis’ Look Like in Real Life

Butler has a promising career ahead of him, but the immense physical and emotional labor that came with the role, similar to the same price the real Elvis had to pay for fame, took a toll on the 30-year-old actor. Over one year since filming Elvis, a fresh-faced Austin is back and busier than ever shooting new projects including Masters of Air, a mini-series set in World War II, and the highly anticipated sequel to Dune.

Elisabeth Edwards

Elisabeth Edwards is a public historian and history content writer. After completing her Master’s in Public History at Western University in Ontario, Canada Elisabeth has shared her passion for history as a researcher, interpreter, and volunteer at local heritage organizations.

She also helps make history fun and accessible with her podcast The Digital Dust Podcast, which covers topics on everything from art history to grad school.

In her spare time, you can find her camping, hiking, and exploring new places. Elisabeth is especially thrilled to share a love of history with readers who enjoy learning something new every day!

The Digital Dust Podcast

linkedin.com/in/elisabethcedwards