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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Scarlett O'Toole

Austin Butler reveals he didn't see his family for 3 years while filming Elvis

Austin Butler went to extreme lengths to get into character for Baz Luhrmann's Elvis and admitted he didn't see his family for three years because of his starring role.

The 31-year-old actor had around a year and a half to prepare before they started filming the biopic and said Elvis Presley was the "only thing" he ever thought about.

When he eventually did speak to his family, Austin said he couldn't shake off Elvis’s southern drawl and revealed he had lost touch with his own personality as he became engrossed in becoming the King of Rock and Roll.

"During Elvis, I didn't see my family for about three years. I was off in New York prepping with Baz and then I went to Australia.

Austin Butler took on the iconic role of Elvis (PA)

"I had months where I wouldn't talk to anybody - and when I did, the only thing I was ever thinking about was Elvis," Austin said in an interview with Variety.

The film documents Elvis' rise to superstardom and explores his turbulent relationship with manager Colonel Tom Parker (Tom Hanks).

Austin's performance received widespread critical acclaim, as well as praise from the Presley family.

The star has said that he loved every minute of filming, but said there were some negative aspects of the role and explained how he ended up "not knowing" who he was by the time filming wrapped up.

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The actor said he lost touch with who he was (Getty Images)
Elvis' family praised the film (NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)

"You can lose touch with who you actually are, and I definitely had that when I finished Elvis," he told GQ magazine.

Since starring in Elvis, Austin's success has continued to soar.

On Sunday, the actor was announced as Lizzo's guest host for Saturday Night Live, with Austin sharing the news on Instagram.

The Hollywood actor was inundated with congratulations, with actress Ashley Tisdale writing: "So so so proud follow you!!!!"

Austin's popularity is continuing to grow (NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)

Breaking Bad star Aaron Paul commented three black heart emojis and comedian and former Saturday Night Live star Kevin Nealon added: "Love it!!!"

Austin has also recently landed a role in the sequel of Dune. He will appear as Feyd-Rautha alongside Timothee Chalamet and Zendaya in Dune: Part Two.

Speaking about his new role on the red carpet at the 2022 Governors Awards, Austin said he "felt really honoured" to have been cast.

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