Meeting Austin Butler: An Incredible Journey into the Making of 'Elvis'

TLDRIn this interview, Austin Butler discusses the pressure and excitement of playing Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann's upcoming film. He shares insights into his research process and how he tapped into the humanity of the legendary musician. Butler also reveals his experience visiting Graceland and meeting Priscilla Presley, further immersing himself in the world of Elvis. The interview concludes with a lively dance demonstration of Elvis' iconic moves.

Key insights

🔥Playing Elvis Presley was a huge responsibility and a dream come true for Austin Butler, who felt the pressure to do justice to the legendary musician.

🎶Butler's research process involved studying Elvis' interviews and understanding the changes in his voice over the years.

😍Visiting Graceland and meeting Priscilla Presley allowed Butler to connect with Elvis' history on a personal level and made him feel like part of the family.

✌Austin Butler demonstrates Elvis' signature dance moves, showcasing his dedication to capturing the essence of the iconic musician.

👏The film 'Elvis' is praised for its accurate portrayal of Elvis' life, music, and the various stages of his career.

Q&A

How did Austin Butler prepare for his role as Elvis Presley?

Butler extensively researched Elvis' life and studied his interviews to understand his character. He also visited Graceland and met Priscilla Presley, immersing himself in Elvis' world to capture his essence.

Was Austin Butler nervous about playing such an iconic figure?

Yes, Butler felt immense pressure to do justice to Elvis' legacy. He considered it the biggest responsibility of his career and aimed to portray Elvis with authenticity and respect.

What was it like for Austin Butler to meet Priscilla Presley at Graceland?

Meeting Priscilla Presley and visiting Graceland was surreal for Butler. He described Priscilla as a lovely person and felt honored to be welcomed into the Elvis Presley family.

Did Austin Butler learn to dance and sing like Elvis for the film?

Yes, Austin Butler learned to dance and sing like Elvis for the role. He practiced the legendary musician's signature moves and trained to emulate his vocal style.

What can audiences expect from the film 'Elvis'?

The film 'Elvis' is highly anticipated for its accurate portrayal of Elvis' life, music, and the different phases of his career. Audiences can look forward to experiencing the magic and talent of the iconic musician through Butler's performance.

Timestamped Summary

00:01Austin Butler expresses his excitement and gratitude for playing Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann's film.

03:00Butler shares his research process and discusses the changes in Elvis' voice over the years.

08:23Austin Butler reflects on his visit to Graceland and meeting Priscilla Presley, emphasizing the feeling of being part of the family.

09:42Butler demonstrates Elvis' signature dance move, the sidewinder, with Jimmy Fallon's help.

11:01The interview ends with a clip from the film, showcasing Austin Butler's performance as Elvis Presley.