Following his riveting performance in the 2022 Oscar-nominated biopic about the iconic singer Elvis Presley, Austin Butler engraved his position in the hearts of millions. But while the actor rose to prominence and gained popularity, Butler made Tom Hanks grow concerned about his mental health, after Elvis.
The veteran actor was apparently so concerned about Austin Butler, that he immediately offered the rising star the Apple TV miniseries, Masters of the Air. Being an executive producer of the World War 2 saga, alongside Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks handed a starring role to Butler, due to his concerns about the actor’s mental health.
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Tom Hanks Was Concerned About Austin Butler After Elvis
Appearing in someone’s biopic isn’t every actor’s cup of tea, for there’s immense pressure and expectations associated with the project. But surprisingly, Austin Butler stole the spotlight with his riveting performance in Elvis Presley’s 2022 biopic Elvis. Playing the role of the iconic singer, the actor portrayed Presley’s life story and stunned his audiences.
Thereafter, Austin Butler‘s 2022 movie even got nominated for an Oscar during the 95th Academy Awards. Receiving eight Oscar nods for different categories, the film was helmed by a global audience. However, while netizens and the entertainment industry at large appreciated Butler’s film, veteran actor Tom Hanks had a different concern.
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According to Austin Butler’s recent interview with The Times of London, the actor discussed how Tom Hanks was feeling concerned about Butler’s mental health after his appearance in Elvis. With the actor sharing how his 2022 biopic forced him to “go to the very edge of what is possible”, he stated how that very exploration made Hanks grow concerned about him.
Tom Hanks’ Concern Benefitted Austin Butler’s Career
Speaking with The Times of London, Austin Butler discussed his filming experience associated with Elvis. Claiming to have gone deeper into his role, than expected, Butler noted how his preparation and performance made Tom Hanks concerned about his mental health.
“[Elvis forced him] to go to the very edge of what is possible, and not every experience will be like that. I don’t think I’ll ever have an experience like that again, but if I have to really dig, it makes me feel alive.”
Therefore, this intense dedication and the process of immersing himself into the role made Tom Hanks worry about Austin Butler. Thus, the actor discussed what Hanks did further, to help Butler overcome Elvis. According to the rising star, Hanks offered him a starring role in the Apple TV miniseries Masters of the Air, which he was co-producing with Steven Spielberg.
“You have immersed yourself so deeply in ‘Elvis’ that, for your mental health, it would be wise to go straight into something else. If you just jump off the train, you might have emotional whiplash… and, you know, I’ve got this thing I’m producing.” Hanks told Butler.
Thus, it seems Tom Hanks’ concern for Austin Butler benefitted the star’s career in a great way. Butler nabbed the opportunity to appear in Hanks and Spielberg’s third installment in their long-running World War II saga that includes Band of Brothers and The Pacific.
