Austin Butler, who was nominated for an Oscar for his Elvis Presley biopic directed by Baz Luhrmann, recently spoke to the Los Angeles Times about his rise to fame and connections with legendary musicians.
In the interview, Butler referenced a comment on The Hollywood Reporter’s Actors Roundtable, recounting a “friend” who was told to play Elvis just before hearing about Luhrmann’s film.
Butler reveals that the friend in question is not a psychic, but someone he knew in the past.
“The month before I heard that Baz was making the movie,” Butler stated.
“I was going to look at Christmas lights with a friend, and there was an Elvis Christmas song on the radio, and I was singing along, and my friend looked over at me and goes, ‘You’ve got to play Elvis.’ I said, ‘Oh, that’s such a long shot.’ Then my agent called and said, ‘So Baz Luhrmann is making an Elvis film …’ The hairs just stood up on my arms.”
The actor, who has been establishing himself in Hollywood over the past few years, also spoke about his modest upbringing and how he never forgets where he came from. He said that even when he’s on the big screen, his family and friends are there to support him and keep him grounded.
The biopic featuring Butler as Elvis Presley has already garnered praise from critics and fans alike, and many are excited to bring the legendary musician to life. The film hits theaters in 2022 and is already causing an Oscar craze.
Girl “Friend”
Austin Butler, who was nominated for an Oscar for the Elvis Presley biopic directed by Baz Luhrmann, was recently confirmed to be in Los Angeles.
Times that the friend who told him he should play Elvis was none other than his then-girlfriend, Vanessa Hudgens.
“We’d been together for so long and she had this sort of clairvoyant moment and so I really, I owe her a lot for believing in me,” Butler stated.
The couple had been dating since 2011 and broke up in 2020. Since then, he has been dating model Kaia Gerber, daughter of Cindy Crawford.
Butler’s portrayal of Elvis Presley in the upcoming biopic has already garnered praise from critics and fans alike, and many are excited to see him bring the iconic musician to life on the big screen. The film was released in 2022 and is already generating Oscar buzz.
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Butler Films
The actor, who has come a long way since his days on Nickelodeon and Disney, is facing off against four other first-time nominees in the Best Actor category: Brendan Fraser (The Whale), Colin Farrell (The Banshees of Inisherin), Bill Nighy (Living), and Paul Mescal (Aftersun).
“Three years ago I got the role of a lifetime and have been living in a dream ever since,” Butler said of his nomination in a statement.
“It has been my honor and privilege to take on the role of the icon, father, husband, and son — Elvis Presley. This was a labor of love for everyone involved. Thank you to the Academy for recognizing our film and so many of the creatives involved.
“I share in this surreal moment with Baz, Catherine, Tom, Olivia, Mandy, Gail and the entire cast and crew of Elvis. To my fellow nominees, your work is inspiring and I am proud to be in this moment with you. My overwhelming gratitude to the Presley family is immeasurable.
“You opened your arms to me and I will never forget it. No words can describe the profound impact you have had on me. This is a dream I will never forget.”
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Hard Working Industry
Butler’s nomination is a testament to his hard work and dedication to his craft, and it is clear that he is grateful for the opportunity to play such an iconic role.
He will be competing against some tough competition, but it is clear that he is honored to be in the company of such talented actors. With the release of the Elvis biopic on the horizon, it will be interesting to see how the film fares at the Oscars and how Butler’s performance is received by audiences and critics alike.
Butler, who began his career as a child actor on Nickelodeon and Disney shows, has come a long way since his days on the small screen. He has proven his versatility as an actor with roles in various genres, including drama, comedy, and fantasy.
His breakout role came in the popular CW series “The Carrie Diaries” where he played the role of Sebastian Kydd. Furthermore, he had a recurring role in the hit series “Zoey 101” and “Switched at Birth”
Photo: Tell Us Daily
