In a recent interview Baz Lurhmann spoke about casting Austin Butler as Elvis and how he went about the very important task of doing so with Priscilla Presley who indubitably had very high standards and expectations as to who would play her husband in his biopic.
Turns out when Austin first auditioned she had been quite “cynical” about the young actor. In the interview Baz states that “[Priscilla] was quite cynical about how this young kid could, in fact, manifest her husband,” he said. “I remember Priscilla said, ‘I know I was hard on you,’ she wrote me an email… She said, ‘Every wink, every move, if my husband was here he would say, ‘Hot damn, you are me!””

He added that Priscilla also asked him about how Austin knew “‘about Elvis’ rage, his stillness, his inner life, his complex inner life?’ Because that’s not out there. That’s not in a biography.”  Which lead Baz to compliment the now Golden Globe winner on his acting props saying “I think you can’t overstate the level of acting achievement for Austin Butler,” he said. “I’ve been around it a long time and even I’m a bit mystified by what he achieved — and I was there!”. Butler has been nominated for over 50 awards for the role including a BAFA, Academy Awards and a People’s Choice Award which he won earlier this year.