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Many Hollywood actors dream of portraying cultural icons in dramatic biopics, but few are lucky enough to receive this opportunity. Recently, Hollywood’s crop of leading young men got their chance to take on the role of a lifetime: Elvis Presley. By all accounts, the competition to play Elvis in Baz Luhrmann’s rock and roll biopic was fierce. The audition process reportedly took months to complete, and several Hollywood actors tried out for the iconic role. In addition to the actors who tried out, a handful of musicians (Adam Lambert, Shawn Mendes, and more) also wished they could take their shot at playing The King. In the end, Austin Butler ultimately won the role in the film, which premiered on June 24th, 2022. However, all five top contenders came very close to winning the part.
5. Aaron Taylor-Johnson Starred In A Musical Biopic Before
Hollywood actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson is best known for playing the title character in the Kick-Ass films. However, he also once starred as John Lennon in a British musical biopic called Nowhere Boy. His experience with portraying an iconic singer made him an excellent choice for the Elvis movie. He also has plenty of on-screen charisma, which was definitely necessary for this role.
Unfortunately, despite how he would’ve been perfect for the movie, Taylor-Johnson didn’t get the part. Apparently, his audition wasn’t quite as strong as some of the other contenders. Therefore, he was taken out of the running before the final round of selection. However, Taylor-Johnson has another exciting project on the horizon: he will soon star as Kraven The Hunter in the upcoming Sony/Marvel Spider-Man movie. The Golden Globe winner already has many accomplishments to his name and is likely to have a long, very successful career in acting.
4. Miles Teller Was A Fan Top-Pick For The Elvis Movie
When director Baz Luhrmann first announced an open casting call for the Elvis movie, fans across the internet weigh d in on who they thought should play the famous singer. Miles Teller was at the top of many people’s lists, especially for his looks. Side-by-side comparisons of Teller and Presley were heavily circulated on Twitter, and the likeness is uncanny.
However, he ultimately lost the part before the final selection process. Fans of the Hollywood actor have another opportunity to see their favorite performer in action, though. Miles Teller has a major role in the wildly successful sequel Top Gun: Maverick, which has been rapidly climbing the box office ladder since its release in May 2022. Teller plays Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw, the son of Maverick’s deceased friend, Goose, from the original 1986 Top Gun movie. He also stars opposite Chris Hemsworth in a Netflix movie called Spiderhead, which premiered on the streaming service on June 17th, 2022. Needless to say, the actor is having a very busy career, and the future of his career looks bright.
3. Hollywood Actor Ansel Elgort Starred In West Side Story
Ansel Elgort definitely doesn’t look very much like Elvis Presley, but his musical performance chops made him a top contender for the Elvis movie. The Hollywood actor starred in a Steven Spielberg remake of West Side Story. Although the film didn’t perform as well as expected at the box office, it gave the young star plenty of chances to demonstrate his talents as a singer and dancer.
Unfortunately, Ansel Elgort wasn’t quite what director Baz Luhrmann was looking for in the biopic. However, the actor has plenty of other future roles to focus on instead. For example, in 2023, Elgort will star in Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, a reboot of a popular film franchise. The franchise takes inspiration from one of the most widely-recognized role-playing games ever made, so the film is likely to draw a huge audience when it premieres. The young actor faced some controversy in recent years, but movie fans are still excited to see what roles he’ll take on in the future.
2. Harry Styles Has Plenty Of Musical Talent To Use In The Elvis Movie
During his time with the band One Direction, Harry Styles became a very popular leading man in the music industry. Since going solo, his fame has continued to climb. The singer has top-selling records, sold-out concerts, and a Grammy to his credit. All of this super-stardom made him an immediate favorite to play The King in the Elvis movie. Many critics thought Styles winning the role was a sure thing from the moment the auditions began.
However, director Baz Luhrmann has other ideas. Though Harry Styles’ audition was superior to many Hollywood actors, Luhrmann ultimately decided to select a different leading man. Luhrmann reportedly felt that Styles is iconic in his own right and, therefore, wouldn’t be the optimal choice for portraying The King of Rock & Roll. Styles fans will instead get to see the actor star in the Olivia Wilde film, Don’t Worry Darling in September of 2022.
1. Austin Butler Rose Above The Rest
Hollywood actor Austin Butler hasn’t starred in many films yet, but Elvis is sure to put him on the map. The actor has told interviewers that the audition process took a grueling five months but that he was thrilled to win the part. Critics and audiences alike have praised the young actor’s performance in the biopic. Therefore, his efforts in the audition process were well worth it.
Even Elvis’ ex-wife, Priscilla Presley, has spoken highly of Butler’s portrayal of The King. The two were photographed together at the movie’s premiere. In addition to Priscilla, Elvis’ only daughter, Lisa Marie, praised Butler for capturing her late father’s spirit in the film. There is a high possibility that Austin Butler will be in the running for a Best Actor Oscar next year. However, even if he doesn’t receive a coveted Academy Award nod, Butler’s captivating portrayal of Elvis has undoubtedly put him on the map in Hollywood. This film will likely catapult the young actor’s career to new heights. It has established him as a serious leading many in this generation of actors.
