A new Elvis Presley biopic being directed by Baz Luhrmann has found its “King” and its Colonel.
Per Deadline, Austin Butler has been cast as Presley in the yet-to-be-titled film, while Tom Hanks has been cast as Presley’s manager, Colonel Tom Parker. Butler is best known for roles on The Shannara Chronicles, Arrow and The Carrie Diaries and also has a role in the new Quentin Tarantino film Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood. Hanks is best known for…well…being Tom freaking Hanks/an American treasure.
In a statement to Deadline, Luhrmann said, “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. Throughout the casting process, it was an honor for me to encounter such a vast array of talent. I had heard about Austin Butler from his stand-out role opposite Denzel Washington in The Iceman Cometh on Broadway, and through 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.”
While a release date hasn’t been announced, the film will cover Presley’s career over the course of two decades alongside Parker, from his early days to being a massive star.
