The actor chosen to play Elvis Presley in a new movie has been revealed

16 July 2019, 11:28 | Updated: 9 January 2024, 12:23

Elvis Presley fans have been anticipating who will play their favourite singer in the upcoming Baz Luhrmann biopic, but now the wait it finally over.

After a little less conversation and a little more action, it has now been revealed that Austin Butler has been cast as Elvis in the new biopic.

Austin beat fellow contenders Harry Styles and Ansel Elgort to the role.

The 27-year-old was picked to play the Elvis Presley, with Warner Bros Pictures announcing the news in a statement on Monday night.

Director Baz said: “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.

“Throughout the casting process, it was an honour for me to encounter such a vast array of talent.

“I had heard about Austin Butler from his standout 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.”

Nickelodeon and Disney Channel alumni Austin will also star as the Manson Family’s Charles ‘Tex’ Watson in Quentin Tarantino’s upcoming Once Upon A Time In Hollywood.

The actor posted the news to Instagram, quoting a line from Elvis hit 'Love Me Tender': “You have made my life complete, and I love you so.”

Austin’s partner Vanessa Hudgens wrote on Instagram: “I am over the ******* moon. I can’t wait. So proud of my honey!”

Tom Hanks is set to play Elvis's manager Colonel Tom Parker, with the 62-year-old confirming filming will begin in 2020.

"That’ll be sometime next year," he told the BBC. "My make-up man, Danny Striepeke, who did my make-up for I think, 17 films - had done Elvis on, among others, Viva Las Vegas… and Harum Sacrum and Kissing’ Cousins. So he had made some really lousy Elvis movies.

“He told me stories about both Elvis and also Colonel Parker. So I was a little bit hip to what that union was… that odd kinda like… Mephistophelian bargain."