Los Angeles: After a competitive casting contest, 27-year-old actor Austin Butler has been cast as Presley.
To land the role, Butler beat out hundreds of young actors vying for the part, including many famous stars. Several young actors were in the running for the role as the multitalented but troubled music icon, who died at the age of 42 in August 1977.
Reportedly, Luhrmann had narrowed down his hopefuls to Butler, Harry Styles, Ansel Elgort, Miles Teller and Aaron Taylor-Johnson. TMZ reported that G-Eazy also made a strong push for the part, although he was not a top contender.
In a statement, Luhrmann said that 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."
Production is to begin early next year on the Luhrmann-directed film. Tom Hanks co-stars as Presley's manager Colonel Tom Parker.
Butler also has a role in Quentin Tarantino's upcoming 'Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood.'
With inputs from APTN
