Vanessa Hudgens and Denzel Washington encouraged Austin Butler to audition for the titular role in Baz Luhrmann's film Elvis.
Austin Butler's journey to embodying the legendary Elvis Presley was an unconventional one, significantly shaped by the encouragement of two influential figures.
Key Encouragers for Austin Butler's Elvis Audition
- Vanessa Hudgens: Butler's former partner, actress Vanessa Hudgens, was instrumental in urging him to pursue the role of Elvis. Her encouragement was a crucial initial push on his path to securing the iconic part.
- Denzel Washington: Esteemed actor Denzel Washington also provided encouragement to Butler regarding the Elvis audition. This support came at a pivotal time, adding another layer of significant backing to Butler's decision to pursue the role.
These endorsements were part of an extensive process that characterized Butler's unique approach to landing the role. His unconventional path also involved five months of collaborative meetings with director Baz Luhrmann, where they delved into the character and the project. A memorable moment in his audition process was a compelling, middle-of-the-night audition video he submitted, famously filmed while he was wearing a bathrobe. This dedicated and distinctive approach ultimately helped him secure the highly sought-after role of Elvis Presley.