Several actors including Ansel Elgort, Aaron Taylor Johnson, Miles Teller and even Harry Styles tried out to play Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann’s upcoming biopic, and we now know who’s landed the role.
The director announced on Instagram that Austin Butler, who's had roles in “The Carrie Diaries,” “Switched at Birth” and “Zoey 101," will play The King in the film, which tell follow the legendary entertainer from his early origins through his rise to iconic star.
“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,” Luhrmann said in a statement. “I had heard about Austin Butler...and through a journey of extensive screen testing and music and performance workshops, I knew unequivocally that I had found someone who could embody the spirit of one of the world’s most iconic musical figures.”
The film, which is expected to start shooting early next year, also stars Tom Hanks as Elvis' manager Col. Tom Parker.
Source: Variety