Austin Butler beats Harry Styles to role of Elvis Presley in biopic

Baz Luhrmann's Elvis Presley biopic has found its King. After a competitive casting contest, 27-year-old actor Austin Butler has been cast as Presley.

Ansel Elgort, Harry Styles and Miles Teller all reportedly tested for the role ultimately won by Butler, who last year appeared in the Denzel Washington Broadway revival of The Iceman Cometh.

Luhrmann, who has found success with musical film Moulin Rouge! as well as The Great Gatsby, said the casting had  been "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."

Butler's appointment has set the ball rolling. "I knew I couldn’t make this film if the casting wasn’t absolutely right, and we searched thoroughly for an actor with the ability to evoke the singular natural movement and vocal qualities of this peerless star, but also the inner vulnerability of the artist."

Butler confirmed the news on his Instagram account, quoting a Presley lyric in the process.

Tom Hanks co-stars as Presley's controlling manager Colonel Tom Parker, with whom Presley endured a turbulent 20-year-long relationship.

Luhrmann has co-written the screenplay along with Moulin Rouge! and The Great Gatsby collaborator Craig Pearce, and the director also produces. His partner, Catherine Martin, will serve as production and costume designer.

Production is to begin early next year on the Luhrmann-directed film, which will be shot in Queensland, Australia.

Following in the footsteps of Bohemian Rhapsody and Rocketman, which earned Oscar nominations and acclaim for lead actors Rami Malek and Taron Egerton, respectively, the Elvis biopic could be a star-making turn for Butler. He also has a role in Quentin Tarantino's forthcoming Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood.

Is Austin Butler a good fit for the King of Rock and Roll? Share your view in the comments section below.