Austin Butler to take care of business as Elvis for Baz Luhrmann’s biopic

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

"When things go wrong, don't go with them."

– Elvis Presley

A bam bam boom! After an exhaustive search to cast The King of Rock and Roll in Baz Luhrmann's upcoming biopic focusing on the life and times of Elvis Presley, it's been announed that Austin Butler (THE SHANNARA CHRONICLES, ARROW) will shake his hips as the sneer-lipped legend.

When Luhrmann's Elvis drama shines on the big screen like rhinestones caught in a spotlight, the film will explore the icon's journey from piss poor singer to illustrious idol, as seen through the prism of his complex relationship over two decades with manager Colonel Tom Parker. (via Deadline) Lined up to play the part of Colonel Tom Parker is CAPTAIN PHILLIPS and SAVING PRIVATE RYAN alum Tom Hanks. The project is scheduled to roll cameras early next year in Queensland, Australia, with Warner Bros Pictures set to distribute the film worldwide.

Before Butler was was cast as the gyrating rocker, stars such as Ansel Elgort, Miles Teller and Harry Styles had auditioned for the part. Word has it that in addition to being impressed by Butler's take on the King, Luhrmann feels as if the YOGA HOSERS actor is overdue for a breakout role. Most recently, Butler was cast as Tex for Quentin Tarantino's ninth feature film ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD, which stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, and Margot Robbie, among several other marquee-worthy actors.

“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 told Deadline. “Throughout the casting process, it was an honor for me to encounter such a vast array of talent. I had heard about Austin Butler from his stand-out role opposite Denzel Washington in The Iceman Cometh on Broadway, 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.”

Luhrmann is directing the Elvis biopic from a screenplay he wrote alongside Craig Pearce. Luhrmann will also produce, as part of a partnership with multiple-Oscar winner Catherine Martin. In the past, both creatives have teamed for THE GREAT GATSBY and MOULIN ROUGE, of which Martin was a production and costume designer. When considering how elaborate, rhythmic, and visually compelling both of the aforementioned films were, it's easy to see why Luhrmann would want to work with Martin again to bring the dynamic stage presence of Elvis Presley to the silver screen. Gail Berman, Patrick McCormick and Schuyler Weiss. Andrew Mittman will also executive produce.

Wow! First there was BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY, and then ROCKETMAN, and now Elvis is coming to take care of business on the big screen. Who's next? What musical icon or band do you think should make their way to cinemas in the near future? Let us know in the comments section below.