Austin Butler (31) has not seen his family for three years because of his starring role in the acclaimed biopic “Elvis”. The Elvis Presley actor revealed this in a video interview for “Variety” with colleague Janelle Monáe (37).
“I was in New York to prepare with Baz and then I went to Australia,” the actor said of his collaboration with Australian “Elvis” director Baz Luhrmann (60).
In order to transform into Elvis Presley (1935-1977), Austin Butler not only isolated himself from his parents and siblings. “There were months when I didn’t speak to anyone,” he said. “And when I did it, all I could think about was Elvis. I spoke in his voice the whole time.”
The corona pandemic was partly responsible for the fact that the shooting for “Elvis” dragged on – and Butler faced difficulties. Actually, Baz Luhrmann wanted to shoot chronologically, so the actor should adapt to the physical changes of the king of rock ‘n’ roll.
But Corona-related production breaks sparked in between. So Butler didn’t have to accomplish the physical transformations by gaining pounds, just by moving.
The actor worked with movement coach Polly Bennett. He also used it to mimic the back and knee pain that Elvis Presley suffered from in later years.
The reward: Austin Butler earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Drama on Monday (December 12). An Oscar nomination is considered very likely.
