Harry Styles, Ansel Elgort, Miles Teller, and rapper G-Eazy were all in consideration to play The King.
But it was Vanessa Hudgens’ boyfriend Austin Butler who took the throne.
The 27-year-old actor has been cast as Elvis Presley in the upcoming Baz Luhrmann directed biopic according to Deadline on Monday.
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Meet the new King: Vanessa Hudgens’ boyfriend Austin Butler (seen together last month) has been cast as Elvis Presley in the upcoming Baz Luhrmann directed biopic according to Deadline on Monday
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Legend: Elvis is regarded as one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th Century as he was nicknamed the ‘King of rock and Roll’
Australian filmmaker Luhrmann, 56, later confirmed the news on Instagram as he shared an image of Presley followed by one of Butler.
Vanessa was definitely proud of her man as she took to Instagram to share a screenshot of the headline from the publication with a gushing caption.
The 30-year-old actress wrote: ‘I AMMMM OVERRRR THE F***ING MOOOOOOOOONNNNN. I CANT WAIT [six heart eyes emojis] SO PROUD OF MY HONEYYYYY!!!’
Vanessa Hudgens in gold dress at 2019 Vanity Fair Oscar Party
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Big shoes to fill: The 27-year-old American actor compared to the legendary musician in 1964
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Big reveal: Australian filmmaker Luhrmann, 56, later confirmed the news on Instagram as he shared an image of Presley followed by one of Butler
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‘I AMMMM OVERRRR THE F***ING MOOOOOOOOONNNNN’: Vanessa was definitely proud of her man as she took to Instagram to share a screenshot of the headline from the publication with a gushing caption.
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Loved up: Austin and Vanessa have been dating since 2011
Austin and Vanessa have been dating since 2011.
The actor – who was born in Anaheim, California – has been acting since 2007 as he is best known for his role as James ‘Wilke’ Wilkerson in ABC Family drama Switched At Birth which aired for five seasons from 2011 to 2017.
More recently he starred alongside Bill Murray, Selena Gomez, and Adam Driver in horror comedy The Dead Don’t Die and can be seen in Once Upon A Time In Hollywood with the likes of Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Margot Robbie.
Vanessa Hudgens and Austin Butler out ahead of the new year
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Signature role: The actor – who was born in Anaheim, California – has been acting since 2007 as he is best known for his role as James ‘Wilke’ Wilkerson in ABC Family drama Switched At Birth which aired for five seasons from 2011 to 2017
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Gaining fame: More recently he starred alongside Bill Murray, Selena Gomez, and Adam Driver in horror comedy The Dead Don’t Die
Tom Hanks is currently on board to play Presley’s manager Colonel Tom Parker, who died in 1997 aged 87 and spotted Elvis when he was relatively unknown in the 1950s, initially helping him with bookings and promotion before becoming his manager.
He went on to arrange the music legend’s deal with RCA, and the singer’s first single with the label, ‘Heartbreak Hotel’, set him on the way to stardom after it was released in January 1956.
Big name stars had been considered for the leading role with Harry Styles, Ansel Elgort and Miles Teller who were among those that were in consideration for the forthcoming biopic.
Tom Hanks dons a casual polo for the ‘Toy Story 4’ premiere
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Leading man: Tom Hanks is currently on board to play Presley’s manager Colonel Tom Parker
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Starring role: Hanks will play Colonel Tom Parker, who died in 1997 aged 87 and spotted Elvis when he was relatively unknown in the 1950
The One Direction hunk, the Baby Driver actor and the Whiplash star were all in the running for the lead role.
According to The Wrap, each contender has screen tested to play the iconic singer.
Luhrmann will direct the movie and has penned the script alongside Craig Pearce, and the filmmaker previously said he was keen to hire a newcomer to play the late musician, who died in 1977 aged 42.
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G-Eazy – real name Gerald Earl Gillum – has made no secret of his admiration of the singer (pictured here) who passed away in 1977
Starring role: Harry Styles, Ansel Elgort and Miles Teller are among those being considered to play Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann’s forthcoming biopic
In 1987, Parker admitted he didn’t get involved in Elvis’ musical decisions, but did urge the star to record his 1969 hit ‘Are You Lonesome Tonight’ because he felt the tune was “good for him”.
Hanks is no stranger to playing real-life figures, having starred as Walt Disney in Saving Mr. Banks and astronaut Jim Lovell in Apollo 13, among others.
Harry was met with praise for his acting debut in Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk in 2017 and in January it was reported that he was keen to focus on his acting career instead of making music, as it was also revealed he has ‘no desire’ to reunite with 1D.
G-Eazy flies out of NYC to go to Minnesota for Lakers game
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Here he comes! The One Direction hunk, the Baby Driver actor and the Whiplash star are all in the running for the lead role in the forthcoming movie about the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll
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One Direction to the big screen? Harry’s edgy retro styling is not a million miles away from Elvis
A source speaking to The Sun, explained: ‘Since stepping away from 1D, Harry has really enjoyed life outside that pop bubble. Acting is something he really enjoys and he’s been working behind the camera on a number of different projects.
‘Harry has a base in LA and is ensconced with James Corden and his producer Ben Winston there. And right now he has absolutely no desire to get 1D back together.’
The publication also claimed that Harry has started to take steps to close his Erskine Touring Company later this year, as it is set to be taken off the register at Companies House.
One Direction went on a hiatus in January 2016 and the five members (Liam Payne, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Harry and Zayn Malik) have all enjoyed hugely successful solo careers.
Miles Teller with Keleigh Sperry at Vanity Fair’s Oscars party
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You’ve got Miles to go! Miles Teller is hot on the heels of the 1D hunk in the running
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Not a million Miles away? All the contenders have dabbled in Elvis’s styling in the past
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Hmm… Ansel Elgort has made it into the running for the biopic
The casting news also comes just days after it was reported that Oakland-born rapper G-Eazy was in talks to play the legendary singer though he was not among the big names revealed earlier this month who were being considered for the iconic role but he reportedly pitched himself to play the King of Rock and Roll.
TMZ reports that G-Eazy, 30, had thrown himself into the mix, meeting with studio execs at Warner Bros. and also spent some time with director Luhrmann in New York last month, making it clear how serious he is about portraying Presley.
G-Eazy – real name Gerald Earl Gillum – has made no secret of his admiration of the singer, who passed away in 1977, and in recent weeks he sported an Elvis-style outfit in a selection of Instagram snaps while quoting lyrics from the late heartthrob’s Don’t Be Cruel.
Harry Styles lets loose at Met Gala after storming the pink carpet
In the running: Ansel has been added to the list of stars alleged to be vying for the part
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Throwing his hat in the ring: Last week it was reported that G-Eazy had pitched himself to play Elvis Presley in the upcoming biopic directed by Baz Luhrmann
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Can he pull it off? The Oakland-born star definitely has Elvis’ hairstyle nailed
