Austin Butler got so into playing Elvis Presley that he said he felt like he was possessed by the character.
He studied and copied his hip-swiveling hero for Baz Luhrmann’s £120 million biopic coming out in 2022.
Butler, who is 31, said that he thinks the King’s “energy” never went away, and that he had strange feelings when he tried to copy his moves.
He said, “I had many of those moments, whether it was a dream or something like a “out-of-body experience,” or yeah, there’s that thing where energy is neither created nor destroyed and you can feel things.
“It’s hard to put into words because these are such strong feelings.”
He felt the same connection when he looked into the eyes of Elvis Presley’s ex-wife Priscilla, who is now 77 years old, while researching the role for which he is up for an Oscar for Best Actor.
Butler said: “I met Priscilla beforehand. And we hung out for a while. And that was so emotional.
“Well, even just looking into her eyes. He has loved her for a long time, and she has loved him since she was very young. It’s just amazing. It’s hard to believe that when you look into her eyes, you see the same eyes that made him fall in love with her.
“So, yeah, and then after the movie, you know, we’ve spent more time together, and just hearing how it’s moved her and the times when she says, ‘You know, if he were here today, how he would feel…’ has made me realize how much I care about her.” I just get chills.”
Butler spent his time in lockdown by himself, surrounded by pictures of Elvis. During that time, he didn’t see anyone.
He also said, “I didn’t get a hug for three months. I was locked inside my apartment for three months.
“I put pictures of Elvis on the walls in a time line. And all I did was watch his movies and interviews and be obsessed with him.
“I’d set up a camera and record myself. Then I’d play back the video and try new things. It gave me time to just follow my interests.’
“Every day, all I could think was, ‘Where is my curiosity taking me?’” When we were finally let out after three months, I met Baz and we went surfing.”
Butler can’t get rid of the southern accent of the singer, who was 42 when she died in August 1977. Since the project ended, he has felt empty, and he said, “Yeah. You don’t really know what to do when you’re done.”
»Austin Butler, who played Elvis Presley, had a “out-of-body experience” where he felt the King.«
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