Austin Butler vows to finally stop using his Elvis voice after being called out on social media. Released in theaters last summer, Baz Luhrmann's biopic chronicles the life and career of the rock icon through the perspective of his unscrupulous manager, Colonel Tom Parker (played by Tom Hanks). Butler's performance as Elvis has garnered widespread critical acclaim, including an Oscar nomination. Though after the film's release, Butler seemed to still be using Elvis Presley's deep and sultry speaking voice on numerous occasions which, whether intentional or not, resulted in a strong reaction on social media.
Now, many months after the biopic's release, Austin Butler has finally promised to stop using his Elvis voice.
The Oscar nominee made the announcement on a recent episode of The Graham Norton Show, where Butler said he is working on "getting rid of the accent," but also acknowledged that singing like Elvis for the movie likely had a permanent effect on his voice. Read what he said below:
I am getting rid of the accent, but I have probably damaged my vocal cords with all that singing. One song took 40 takes.
Austin Butler's Elvis Voice Controversy Explained
Austin Butler's Elvis voice has been the subject of controversy ever since the film's premiere at the Cannes Film Festival where the actor appeared to still be using Elvis Presley's voice during press interviews. The quirk received even more attention when Butler later hosted Saturday Night Live and attended the Golden Globes, where he won the Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture Drama award for his Elvis portrayal. During his acceptance speech, it sounded like Butler was still using his Elvis voice and social media exploded in response.
Many questioned why Butler is still using his Elvis voice, claiming it was cringeworthy, while others admired his commitment to the role. Butler has made comments suggesting that his use of the Elvis voice is not intentional and is merely a result of his extensive preparation for the role. Whether it is intentional or not, Butler has finally vowed to lose the accent after being called out countless times. Butler being unable to shed his Elvis voice could have posed a major problem for his upcoming role as Feyd-Rautha, though his Dune: Part Two co-star Dave Bautista has already assured that the villain won't sound like Elvis.
Will Austin Butler Win The Best Actor Oscar For Elvis?
After all the trouble that Butler's commitment to his Elvis role has caused, there is a strong case to be made that he deserves to be awarded with the Best Actor Oscar. After winning a Golden Globe, Butler is one of three frontrunners in the race, though he is arguably pacing behind Colin Farrell (The Banshees of Inisherin) and Brendan Fraser (The Whale), who have picked up a few more important precursor awards. A possible upset should not be ruled out for Butler, whose transformative portrayal of an iconic figure in Elvis should have him in strong contention for the Academy Award come March 12.
Source: The Graham Norton Show