• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Austin Butler didn’t see his family for three years while filming Elvis

Home> Film & TV

Published 10:33 12 Dec 2022 GMT

Austin Butler didn’t see his family for three years while filming Elvis

The actor was fully focused on nailing the part as the King of Rock and Roll

Jake Massey

Jake Massey

Austin Butler didn't see his family for three years while making Elvis.

The actor played the iconic singer in the Baz Luhrmann biopic, shutting out the rest of the world - even his nearest and dearest - as he concentrated on nailing the role.

With Butler tipped as a contender for Best Actor at the Oscars for his transformation into the 'Jailhouse Rock' singer, it seems like his extreme measures paid off - but even he reckons he went too far in hindsight.

Speaking to Janelle Monáe for Variety's Actors on Actors series, Butler opened up about taking method acting to the extreme.

"During Elvis I didn't see my family for about three years," the 31-year-old said.

Advert

"I was prepping with Baz [Luhrmann], and then I went to Australia.

"I had months where I wouldn't talk to anybody. And when I did, the only thing I was ever thinking about was Elvis.

Austin Butler went to extreme lengths to play Elvis.
Variety

"I was speaking in his voice the whole time."

Advert

Wow, you'd think cutting off your loved ones like that might leave you feeling all shook up.

Indeed, going forwards, he plans to avoid going to such extremes.

Speaking to E! News Daily Pop in June, he said: "What I'm trying to learn is how to balance real life with when you're giving in to the obsession of a role 'cause I didn't see my family for, it turned out to be three years.

"I didn't see any one of my friends for that entire time. So, it was like the rest of my life, suddenly, I compartmentalised."

Advert

Butler was showered with praise for his performance.
Moviestore Collection Ltd / Alamy Stock Photo

Weirdly, just as shooting on the movie finally wrapped and Butler could get back to his normal lifestyle, he was hospitalised.

He was diagnosed with a virus simulating appendicitis symptoms, and was confined to bed for a week.

He told British GQ in May: "The next day I woke up at four in the morning with excruciating pain, and I was rushed to hospital.

Advert

"My body just started shutting down the day after I finished Elvis."

Lord almighty, he must have felt his temperature rising.

Hopefully it was all worth it for Butler though, as he was heaped with praise following the release of the film.

In fact, none other than Elvis' daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, said he deserved to be put forward for the Academy Award.

Advert

Asked by Extra if the actor deserved an Oscar nom for his work, Presley's only child said: "A thousand percent... I mean, truly. You know, I’m a bit biased, but absolutely, 100 percent... I can look at it objectively as well, sure.

"I think that he did such an incredible job."

Featured Image Credit: Variety / WARNER BROS. PICTURES

Topics: Celebrity, Music, Film and TV

Jake Massey
Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

X

@jakesmassey

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
a day ago
2 days ago
  • an hour ago

    93% rated Netflix mini-series keeps fans hooked as they search for the next Squid Game

    'South Korea does it yet again'

    Film & TV
  • a day ago

    Secret Netflix code finds 100% rated mini-series you didn't know existed

    'A definite must-see'

    Film & TV
  • 2 days ago

    Underrated Netflix mini-series labeled 'beautiful and relatable' as viewers watch for 9.4 million hours

    Idris Elba stars in the 'refreshing' eight-parter

    Film & TV
  • 2 days ago

    Fans can't stop watching 'underrated' Ryan Reynolds movie that's one of the best 'made in the last 10 years' and is now on Netflix

    Ryan Reynold has a whole lot of films under his belt but many think this gem is underrated

    Film & TV
  • Carmen Electra reveals she was told to lose weight while filming Baywatch
  • Jennifer Aniston gets oil savagely thrown over her while filming for The Morning Show
  • Rob McElhenney announces major name change and his wife and kids are extremely 'unhappy' about it
  • Katy Perry under investigation for possible environmental damage while filming ‘unauthorized’ music video