The King, theDedication, and a Whole Lot of Hip Shaking: How Austin Butler Became Elvis (Without Stealing His Hairpiece)
Let's face it, playing Elvis Presley is a tall order. The man was a cultural icon, a musical legend, and, let's not forget, possessed some seriously fancy dance moves. So, when Austin Butler landed the role in Baz Luhrmann's epic biopic, it was clear he wasn't in for a walk in the Graceland park. Buckle up, because we're about to delve into Butler's wild ride to becoming the King of Rock and Roll (minus the questionable sideburns).
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| How Did Austin Butler Prepare For Elvis |
From Sunset Boulevard to Sun Studios: Butler's Boot Camp Begins
Forget those Hollywood quick-fix transformations. Butler dedicated a whole year (with a pandemic bonus round!) to becoming Elvis. We're talking a full-on immersion course that would make even the most dedicated Elvis impersonator envious.
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Building the Base: First things first, Butler assembled a dream team of coaches. There was a movement coach to get those hips swinging, a dialect coach to nail that Southern drawl, an acting coach to channel Elvis's inner turmoil (because apparently, being the King wasn't all sunshine and blue suede shoes), and, of course, a singing coach to help Butler find his own Elvis growl.
Obsessive Elvis Research: 101 Butler wasn't just learning the moves and the music; he was diving headfirst into Elvis's soul. We're talking devouring every scrap of footage he could find, from classic movies to concert documentaries, even late-night fan compilations on [insert mysterious internet video platform]. Imagine falling asleep to the soothing sounds of young Elvis singing "That's All Right," only to wake up and do it all over again. Dedication, people, dedication!
Beyond the Impersonation: Finding the Man Under the Mane
Here's the thing: Butler wasn't out to be a cheap Elvis impersonator. He wanted to capture the essence of the man, the struggles, the dreams, the whole Elvis package.
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Finding Inspiration in Unexpected Places: One source of inspiration? A photo of a caged lion at the Memphis zoo. Apparently, Butler saw a flicker of something akin to Elvis's trapped spirit in those sad eyes. Who knew lions and rock stars had so much in common?
Living and Breathing Elvis: This wasn't just a role; it became a way of life. Butler reportedly spoke in a Southern accent for so long that even his family started giving him funny looks. Let's just hope his grocery orders weren't a constant stream of "fried catfish and a whole lotta nothin'."
So You Wanna Be an Elvis, Huh? How-To Tips (with a Wink):
How to channel your inner Elvis: Start with the classics! Dust off those old LPs (or, you know, stream them on your phone) and crank up the volume.
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How to master the Elvis wiggle: Practice makes perfect (and slightly embarrassing for your neighbors). Find a mirror, put on some Elvis tunes, and let loose. Just remember, it's all about confidence (and maybe a little hip flexibility).
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How to talk like The King: Dialect coaches are expensive, so here's a free tip: watch old Elvis interviews and try to mimic his Southern drawl. Bonus points for working in phrases like "Thank you very much" and "Uh-huh."
How to dress like Elvis: Well, this one depends on the era. Jumpsuits? Sure. Bejeweled belts? Absolutely. But for a more low-key approach, a simple white T-shirt and a pair of blue jeans will do the trick.
How to avoid accidentally becoming an Elvis impersonator: Remember, there's only one Elvis. Focus on capturing his spirit, not just copying his moves. And for the love of Graceland, please don't bleach your hair!
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