Photograph by way of Warner Bros.
Austin Butler is a newly-crowned BAFTA winner within the Finest Actor class for his portrayal of Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann’s musical biography Elvis.
Butler’s transformation into the person, the parable, the legend himself was one thing otherworldly. Shutting the world out for years, he studied all the things Presley did; he was on a path to not simply lead a movie however to change into a pupil of Presley’s life, legacy, and larger-than-life profession.
The emotional and considerate speech on the BAFTAs was a ravishing have a look at Butler, who remains to be so humbly shocked by the popularity he receives for giving his all to the journey of changing into Elvis Presley for Luhrmann’s movie. Whereas Elvis allowed us a have a look at virtually three hours of the metamorphosis he skilled, it was nothing in comparison with the three years he spent as the person who broke our hearts and mended them with songs like Suspicious Minds, Are You Lonesome Tonight, and Can’t Assist Falling In Love.
“Thanks all a lot. Thanks, BAFTA, for this super honor to my fellow nominees: I’m in awe of you. I’m so so grateful for all these instances that we’ve been capable of spend collectively. Brendan (Fraser), you’re proper there. I really like you.”
Butler had an extended listing of thanks to present to those that helped him on the journey, together with Luhrmann, Polly Bennett (Butler’s motion coach), James Farrell (his agent), Patrick McCormick, Jack Ravenscroft, and plenty of others. When thanking Ravenscroft, Butler defined that he used to come back in and inform the forged and crew that it was going to be nice. Butler returned the emotions when giving his speech, telling Ravenscroft that it was, actually, nice.
He additionally thanked the household that made all of it doable; those that beloved Presley probably the most.
“I need to thank the Presley household; I can’t thanks guys sufficient on your love and for sharing with me who Elvis actually was. I hope I’ve made you proud. This implies the world to me. Thanks all a lot.”
Probably the most vital takeaways for the actor was his relationship with the Presley household and the profoundly private bond he was capable of expertise with Elvis by them. Butler’s BAFTA win for Elvis isn’t his first award win, and followers are hoping it gained’t be his final. With the Academy Awards lower than a month away, there’s extra buzz than ever concerning the alternative for him to come back out on high within the Finest Actor class.