Austin Butler Transforms Into Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann's 'Elvis'

The first look at Baz Luhrmann's highly anticipated Elvis Presley documentary is here.

The upcoming feature, simply titled Elvis, stars Austin Butler in the titular role and follows the King's rise to fame under the wing of his longtime manager, Colonel Tom Parker, played by Tom Hanks. While plenty of historic Presley pop culture moments are included in the film's official trailer — including the singer's debut, the crowds of fainting women, and his marriage to Priscilla Presley — the film also promises to unearth more overlooked aspects of the musician's career. The trailer begins not with Elvis as the handsome, blue-eyed, raven-haired heartthrob the world knew him to be, but rather a blonde little boy, enamored by the power and gospel of the Black church and its music. Other famous faces in the world of rock and rhythm and blues, such as Little Richard, B.B. King, and Sister Rosetta Tharpe, will also be featured in the film.

Butler previously opened up about taking on the role of such a massive American music icon, stating during a press event earlier this year, per People, that he wanted to "explore the humanity of somebody who has become the wallpaper of society in a way."

Below, everything we know so far about Elvis.

When is the release date?

Elvis will hit theaters this summer, June 24, 2022. It marks Baz Luhrmann's first feature since 2013's The Great Gatsby.

What is Elvis about?

According to Warner Bros. the movie is set to "delve into the complex dynamic [between Presley and Colonel Parker] spanning over 20 years, from Presley's rise to fame to his unprecedented stardom." The biopic will also explore the evolving cultural landscape following Presley's explosion and how it caused "the loss of innocence in America."

It was a competitive casting process.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Harry Styles, Miles Teller, Aaron Johnson, and Ansel Elgort were all in the running to portray Presley in the biopic, but Luhrmann was eventually sold on Butler's winning performance.

Who else is in the cast?

• Austin Butler stars as Elvis Presley

• Tom Hanks as Colonel Tom Parker

• Dacre Montgomery as Steve Binder

• Maggie Gylenhaal as Gladys Presley

• Rufus Sewell as Vernon Presley

• Olivia DeJonge as Priscilla Presley

• Yola as Sister Rosetta Tharpe

• Alton Mason as Little Richard

• Kelvin Harrison Jr. as B.B. King

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