Some of Hollywood’s most talented young stars were in the running for the role of Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann’s highly-anticipated biopic, but relative newcomer Austin Butler eventually won the role.
The star of TV shows Switched at Birth, Ruby & The Rockits and The Carrie Diaries managed to beat the likes of Harry Styles and Ansel Elgort and convinced Luhrmann he’s the right person for the job.
“I knew I couldn’t make this film if the casting wasn’t absolutely right, and we searched thoroughly for an actor with the ability to evoke the singular natural movement and vocal qualities of this peerless star, but also the inner vulnerability of the artist,” the Australian director said in a statement.
Austin Butler caught his eye with the role in his Broadway debut The Iceman Cometh, and the young actor was on the road to greatness even before he was cast as Elvis. This list of his most recent projects includes Jim Jarmusch’s horror-comedy The Dead Don’t Die and Quentin Tarantino’s latest film Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood.
