Austin Butler is a rising star in Hollywood, and his performance as Elvis Presley in the upcoming biopic Elvis has solidified his status as one of the most promising actors of his generation. Butler’s performance has been praised by critics, and he is already being tipped for an Academy Award nomination.
In 2022, Washington was not involved in the making of the movie Elvis in any official capacity. However, he did still play a role in helping Austin Butler land the titular role in the movie. With stars like Ansel Elgort, Miles Teller, and even Harry Styles having expressed interest in the lead role, it meant they were probably in the running for it, too. So how exactly did Hollywood newbie Butler bag the role?
Austin Butler thanks Denzel Washington in his Golden Globes acceptance speech
In his acceptance speech at the Golden Globes for the award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture for his titular role in Elvis, Austin Butler thanked and credited Denzel Washington with getting him the role. He said,
“I also gotta thank Denzel Washington.” “Denzel, thank you for your kindness, thank you for your generosity and championing me when you didn’t have to. I’m so grateful for all eternity to you.”
Butler and Washington have worked together in a 2018 Broadway show, Eugene O’Neill’s The Iceman Cometh. And this isn’t the first time that Butler has been all praise for Washington, either. He has previously called Washington “the godfather of acting”.
How did Denzel Washington help Austin Butler bag the Oscar-nominated role?
Denzel Washington called Elvis director Baz Luhrmann on Butler’s behalf after seeing Butler’s audition tape for Elvis. In an interview with the folks at Entertainment Weekly, Luhrmann revealed how Butler came into the picture. Upon being asked why Butler was the right man for the job, Luhrmann said,
“He found me. I received this videotape of this young man in a flood of tears playing “Unchained Melody,” and I thought, “Wow, what is that? How is that happening?” And then I got a call from Denzel Washington, who gave me a cold call. I did not know Denzel. And he said, “I’ve just worked with this guy on stage. I’ve never seen a work ethic like it.” And I’m like, “Okay, I must see him.” Honestly, I put him through the wringer, but he lived Elvis. What he’s managed to do is not do an impersonation, but to live Elvis, to the extent that he’s humanized him.”
Washington’s recommendation was a significant boost for Butler’s chances of landing the role. Denzel Washington’s role in the making of Elvis is a testament to his generosity and his commitment to helping other actors. He is a true legend in the industry, and his influence can be seen in the work of many of today’s leading actors.
Elvis is now available to stream on Max.
Source: The Tennessee Tribune
