The biopic ‘Elvis’ has become a worldwide hit and premieres on HBO Max next Friday, September 2nd. In a new promo video for the stream, Austin Butler reveals how he became the iconic King of Rock.
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“Explore that humanity and explore the mundane things and the daily life of somebody that we can just see as this icon I wanted to be able to challenge myself in ways that I didn’t think was possible and stare my fears in the eyes that told me it wasn’t possible”, says Butler about why he wanted to tell the Elvis story.
He goes on to say that he now has the feeling that Elvis is his best friend. “hear his music and né like, ‘oh, there you are, man’. You know, that’s really special”.
As for what was the most challenging part of playing the star, Butler says the pressure to play a character that everyone already replicated the mannerisms and already had a certain conviction about Presley’s truth was difficult. The actor says he doubted his talent wasn’t enough for the job.
“There’s also the feeling personally when portraying somebody like that where you can feel like you are so small compared to them”, Austin said.
Directed by Baz Luhrmann, the film explores the life and music of Elvis Presley (Butler), seen through the prism of his complicated relationship with his enigmatic manager, Colonel Tom Parker (Hanks). The story delves into the complex dynamics between Presley and Parker over the 20 years since their rise to stardom.