Baz Luhrmann Austin Butler Young Elvis Presley Movie Tom Hanks Warner Bros – Deadline

EXCLUSIVE: Director Baz Luhrmann has found his Elvis. He confided to Austin Butler the role played by Elvis Presley in the untitled drama that covers the fundamental legend of the perverse singer to the global icon, through the prism of his complex two-decade relationship with Colonel Tom Parker. This last role will be played by Tom Hanks and Warner Bros will be distributed worldwide.

The film will be shot early next year in Queensland, Australia, with the worldwide distribution of Warner Bros. Pictures. The film will trace the rise of Presley to a level of celebrity and celebrity equaled by the Beatles, facing a changing cultural landscape and the loss of innocence in America.

It was a very controversial role. Butler filmed a test for Luhrmann, as did Ansel Elgort, Miles Teller and Harry Styles. It was not an easy choice and Luhrmann took his time. In Butler, he chose an actor who has credit, chops and is ready to take a leap forward. He made his Broadway debut in 2018 in front of Washington with Eugene O'Neill's adaptation directed by George C. Wolfe The ice man comes, obtaining critical acclaim for his role as "lost boy," Don Parritt. He will be seen later this month alongside Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie in Quentin Tarantino's film. Once upon a time in Hollywood. Butler is currently on the big screen alongside Bill Murray and Adam Driver in Jim Jarmusch. The dead do not die. He checked all the boxes for Luhrmann.

"I knew I could not do this film if the casting was not quite right, and we looked for an actor who could evoke the singular natural movement and vocal qualities of this unparalleled star, but also the inner vulnerability of the film. artist, "said Luhrmann in a statement on the deadline. "Throughout the casting process, it was an honor for me to meet such a wide range of talent. I had heard about Austin Butler thanks to his remarkable role facing Denzel Washington in The ice man comes at Broadway, and during many screen essays, music and performance workshops, I knew unequivocally that I had found a person who could embody the spirit of one of the most emblematic of the world. "

Luhrmann will lead the scenario that he wrote with Craig Pearce. Luhrmann will also produce, along with multi-award winning Oscar winner Catherine Martin, his collaborator in The Great Gatsby and Moulin Rouge, who will work as production designer and costume designer, Gail Berman, Patrick McCormick and Schuyler Weiss. Andrew Mittman will be the executive product. The film will be shot in Queensland with support from the Queensland Government, Screen Queensland and the Australian Government's Producer Offset program.

Butler is relaunched by WME and Anonymous Content.