‘The Responsibility I Felt Was Huge’: Austin Butler Reflects on Elvis & Which Films Make Him Cry

Our entertainment reporter Olivia Marks sat down with the incredibly talented Austin Butler to talk all things Elvis.
Hear Austin talk about which song was the most challenging to sing, when he felt closet to Elvis and which film never fails to make him tear up.

[@valeriabacchitta6649]

of course I knew about Elvis Presley but thanks to this man I fell in love. Im spending my spare nights any time I don't have to go out watching all the videos about Elvis and his story because despite the dark side I can feel I would have loved him and been crazy about him like anybody back then. There is something eternal about Elvis, something charming and heartbreaking at the same time, that was concealed by a layer of bad merchandising and cheap representations. Thanks to Austin Butler for delivering a glimpse of Elvis essence in this movie. Elvis always wanted to be a dramatic actor its almost tragic that he was living through the dramatic part he would have wanted to play in hollywood. And its such an ironic coincidence that his story was the stepping stone for Austin career as an actor. Its a beauiful full circle moment, really moves me. I hope you get that oscar, I hope Elvis is somewhere relieved he has turned into the role that gave another actor the career he always wanted.

[@jn3723]

wow, this sounds so wonderful, I do remember an interviewer at TIFF (?)said the same thing to Austin that he will win the Oscar that Elvis had never won. I guess it will be a win for both of them.

[@elianacarvalhok1593]

It's so true, my dear! 👌

[@justinianus88]

With me, exactly the same :D KZbin is a treasure box for us ;)

[@jimturiello8467]

If you want more about Elvis Presley in the movies please read the brand new Elvis book, Elvis: The Quest for an Oscar. It is big, 536 pages and was written specifically with the goal to finally get Hollywood to recognize Elvis Presley for his immeasurable contributions to the movie industry. Elvis Presley deserves an Oscar, this book will convince you.

[@sandrahernandez569]

What a Truly Insightful and beautiful comment..Elvis's Spirit is Aware of your comment 🥰

[@user-gv1cd9kf2j]

Such a Very Sweet Man , Always so nice to everyone and so Kind and so Adorable Always ! Judy❤!

[@cemcalex]

So nice to get an updated interview!! It was lovely, we are ALL rooting for that Oscar!

[@Naturegirl1976]

He definitely deserves that oscar for his performance in elvis Presley movie. He's got my vote.

[@cemcalex]

@@JaneDiamond-vq3ok Was actually wondering about the timing of the nom announcement. Good to know!

[@monikakoch6309]

He is an awesome young man! 🫶 He is so much talented! Love him at this movie!

[@thatonepersonobsessedwithm4338]

Austin is such an amazing and humble person who gave an incredible performance as Elvis.

[@dollyy333]

god he’s gorgeous

[@midvvest]

I LOVE THIS MAN SO MUCH

[@niaknee-yuh5339]

SAMEE

[@sherrisanders7478]

How can you not

[@memphisflashfan1]

I learned something new from this interview rather than the same stuff! When he talks about the challenge of singing Trouble at Russwood, specifically dancing while up on his toes while singing high notes and the challenge of that. I could have listened to him talk about stuff like that for hours. He made everything look so “Elvis”, ie natural.

[@thonyabelizaire8553]

Austin is so gorgeous omg 😭

[@Spurple2021]

I didn't know about Austin Butler before I watched this Elvis Movie. The only reason I watched the movie is because my mum has always been a big Elvis Fan I thought I would check it out. I loved it Austin Butler is an amazing actor and a really sweet guy.

[@wherearethemarbles]

I truly believe Elvis possessed him at one point 😭

[@sinsinhouhou9311]

I have seen it 5 times, and listen to the soundtrack almost daily. It's incredible how he portrayed Elvis.

[@janicesmith1115]

I’ve now seen it 41 times & it’s still playing in a theatre by me. Absolutely LOVED this movie!!!!Austin was phenomenal!!!!!!!

[@lifeissweet9826]

I thought 5 times was a lot.

[@janicesmith1115]

@@lifeissweet9826 can’t see it enough times in the big screen!!!!!!

[@ana-py9pp]

41 TIMES HOLY SHIT i thought i was bad with my 10 times

[@janicesmith1115]

@@ana-py9pp can’t get enough. I’m obsessed/possessed with Austin. Lol

[@ana-py9pp]

@@janicesmith1115 oh same !! loved elvis forever so combination of both 😩😩

[@ChristianSupergirl]

Since being obsessed with the ELVIS movie, seeing Austin in a new interview after the press tour feels like seeing a dear old friend 😊

[@vanessaperez7818]

Aww what a great interview, I will never get over how kind and engaging Austin is with anyone who interviews him!! She did awesome, I would have been blushing and probably shaking the whole time haha! Can't wait to see all of Austin's upcoming projects!!

[@oliviamarks3096]

Thank you so much!

[@yesic7196]

same here! Looks like he's blushing the whole time :)

[@Susieq26754]

Heck I'm watching this on KZbin and I'm blushing.

[@marystarr1236]

Just love him and his humble ways and the great performance. Incredible,,🥰

[@robjones2408]

Austin comes across as a very humble, polite, and gracious man. Rather like the icon he was playing in the film. Sometimes the good guys do win. His portrayal of Elvis was a once-in-a-lifetime performance. Good luck to him.

[@soapnorm]

Excellent questions! It’s great to hear his answers now that some time has passed since the film’s release. Austin is the sweetest human!

[@oliviamarks3096]

Thank you so much!

[@juneb6558]

Were all wanting this to happen, every Elvis fan on the planet wants the Oscar for Austin Butler and many more awards 🏆to go to Baz, the cast and the crew. "Austin is just a gorgeous, talented, humble man!" Killing me with that Elvis voice and that charisma has Elvis written all over it.

[@gericaccavale9637]

That Elvis voice is mesmerizing! Hope Austin retains it!

[@louiseparisotto3630]

Such a great, down-to-earth interviewer; pleasant, kind, easy going; engaging with wonderful questions and comments. Well Done!

[@gailcirillo8311]

Austin your are the greatest

[@1muzikmania]

he really wanted to say he worked hard. Austin, it's okay. You DID work hard. Own that.

[@sarah0031]

I am pretty sure that everyone fell in love with Austin after watching his stunning performance in "Elvis". It was mind blowing and I cannot imagine the amount of work he put into this role. He totally became Elvis and deserves every award under the sun for bringing Elvis back to life in such an incredible way.

[@Gisellesjsjdjd.]

I cant even begin to explain how amazing he was in the movie.

[@denisebodey1817]

Austin, Budapest, Schmudafest! I saw "Elvis" (you!) in theaters 34 times!

[@addihays9566]

stop AS SOON AS HE SAID THE NOTEBOOK I LOST IT. he’s such a romantic 😭😭

[@ankitachoudhury4282]

Apparently, one of his favourite books is 'What We Talk About When We Talk About Love' by Raymond Carver 💜😍 He is definitely a big time romantic!

[@chrism.c9965]

All of Austin's interviews are great, he is such a humble, nice guy, and his performance as Elvis was amazing, he really captured the essence of Elvis better than any other actor who has tried❣

[@wherearethemarbles]

oh my goodness I’m literally blushing just watching him talk 🥹

[@1019q]

Olivia does look like Austin, she could been his cousin. I was ambarrased to admit that I saw Elvis 24 times in the theater but I bet there are a lot more crazy addicts have seen it many as 50 or 100? I still enjoy watching Austin's Elvis on DVD.

[@gericaccavale9637]

Me too 27 times in theater. Would ho 27 more if it were still in the theater. NEVER DID THIS BEFORE. for ANY movie

[@StefWriter]

New Austin Butler interview! Yay! 😃

[@grec.]

He was amazing! You can tell he worked very hard. Congratulations!

[@shoelover6]

Excellent, heartfelt, honest interview. There’s something amiss if you can’t connect with Austin Butler. Never known a more genuine actor. Oscar, Oscar, Oscar. ❤

[@oliviamarks3096]

So glad you enjoyed it 💞

[@priscillaaa_j]

Austin's morning baby look is the absolute cutest, and this interviewer was great!!

[@dianeloveselvis]

Your hard work has definitely paid off Austin! I saw Elvis in Memphis in 1974 and 1976. At times in the movie, I thought I was watching Elvis again. And I cried tears of happiness. Thank you so much for bringing Elvis back to #1 again. Love ya!

[@catherine233]

I'm 30 seconds in and blushing 😭😭😭😂❤

[@betholivemusic]

How is this man making me blush and he’s not even talking to me? 😂😂😂

[@joyceapetterson4560]

He is just AMAZING in this Elvis film! And very respectful and adorable to say the least. He seems to be an exceptional man! Think he deserves the OSCAR for Best Actor! Rooting for him. The time he spent just wanting everything to be right and to be able to show us the “Essence” of the real Elvis Presley. The Presley family seemed to be happy with his performance. Kudos to #AustinButler‼️♥️

[@tiebaojin]

What a doll! Not to mention so talented! It is very good to see an updated interview -- I think I've seen every interview he gave -- this one is very good. About that Oscar, he certainly deserves one but it is a very scary thing for an actor; what do you do for an encore? Many actors who won that award couldn't do anything that matched it after, and Austin is SO young. Hopefully he will win (I am certainly rooting for him!) and even more hopefully that he will have a long and distinguished career and beats out the Academy Award "curse".

[@robjones2408]

Totally agree with your observations. If Austin walked away from acting forever, he can look back on his performance as "Elvis" in the knowledge it will never be matched. He is in the forthcoming sequel to "Dune". I think he will choose future roles very carefully.

[@tiebaojin]

@@yvonnemarks2054 He certainly could be James Dean, another tragic figure. But I think he should walk away from any biopic and not get typecast as the go-to guy for this type of role He beautifully played the villian, Tex Watson, in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. At this moment the world is open to him: I think he is smart enough to grab it!

[@Marie84353]

both austin and the interviewer are so lovely :)

[@oliviamarks3096]

🥰🥰🥰

[@phantomvideowatcher]

What a lovely interview! I’m so thrilled to see fresh content about the movie too!

[@oliviamarks3096]

💞💞

[@aysiaharris6143]

I loved her outfit, it’s giving very much 80’s. And of course I enjoyed Austin, he seemed comfortable and relaxed with her. Great interview ❤

[@oliviamarks3096]

Thank you so much 💞

[@littlesister7021]

Austin was so perfect to portray Elvis. I really loved the movie. I watched it 40 times in the movie theater, I just couldn't get enough of it. Austin had Elvis's moves spot on, he actually sang the early Elvis songs. Austin is such a sweet guy, very talented, and gorgeous. He deserves nothing but the best. I believe Elvis himself would have been very impressed by Austin's performance. Thank You so much Austin and Baz Lurhmann. Elvis lives on.

[@GillianGeraldine]

I’ve watched it for 5x in a week and have been fangirling Elvis now. Thank you Austin for introducing me to this amazing figure I otherwise wouldn’t know if it weren’t for this movie. First i fell in love with Austin and then Elvis!!❤

[@keetonplace]

Gillian Geraldine...Once you fall in love with Elvis, it never goes away. Loved Austin in the movie and in interviews. Elvis was sweet and humble like that in the few interviews he ever did.

[@ruths4940]

I could have written this exact comment!! Adored the movie, adore Austin and am also now a completely obsessed Elvis fan.

[@Lightdion]

Girl me too! The same lol

[@mariaap.haddad6526]

I'm a Brazilian fan who was simply delighted with his work, I was very moved and I can only thank Austin for everything

[@andreafrancolopes1174]

🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷👍😉

[@thewordofl7425]

I just love and adore this man. I’m so proud on how far he has come from his career. Truly a great actor ⭐️💋

[@carolinederry7465]

Austin Butler such an Amazing young Man. So handsome and polite he's such a Fantastic actor. Austin took my breath away watching him in the Elvis Movie

[@carolynshuluk8161]

He was amazing

[@pedrocarvalho6492]

Austin rocked as Elvis. Amazing performance.

[@josie4peace]

She mentions at the end how she's bombarded on TikTok about how much she looks like him. I was thinking that too, plus the vibe of them both having a sweet, gentle, and authentic spirit.

[@L_O27]

I am glad she said she looks like the Windsor princesses...that's more accurate than looking like Austin. But she is prettier than the Windsors, at that. :)

[@oliviamarks3096]

Thank you 💞💞

[@Lpslover863]

I love you Austin 😘😘🥰🥰😍🥰😊💓🤩

[@user-ly9bu4df1w]

He did a awesome job ❤ Elvis was blessed by Notebook is my favorite movie ❤

[@star0177]

Seems like a lovely bloke really

[@dianenotch2471]

Austin was amazing in this movie!! We went twice.

[@doreenm4987]

Sweet man 🖤⚡️ I don't know if anyone else notices, but I see Elvis is still a big part of him. Even after being involved in other projects. He was perfect for this role of a lifetime ❤️

[@kerriebeckett6648]

I adore Elvis all my life, he is the greatest of all time and i was so impressed by Austin, he was brilliant, he put his heart and soul into this, and I'm so thankful to him, and as individual, he's seems like a fabulous person also, I saw Elvis in the cinema 10 times ❤️❤️⚡⚡he deserves an award🥰

[@cheryldipietro1076]

Amazing performance.

[@Nicholas_Chen_]

It’s impressive his actual voice is so deep and he seems so introverted and nice like Keanu Reeves!

[@sylvialawing6118]

Austin there are many who have seen the film more than thirty times...........Yes, that is how wonderful it was...I myself, saw it 25 times in the theatre and 4 times at home.....It will be my go to movie when I need to see something with depth and meaning. Thank you sir, thank you very much.

[@chamalismith]

I loved this interview so much, it was so wholesome and mutually respectful 😍 two very kind humble and down to earth people having a talk about a film that has evolved into a phenomenon 😍 amazing xx

[@shellyg7136]

Great job, Olivia! Go get that damn Oscar, Austin!

[@oliviamarks3096]

Thank you!

[@vicodincreamer4831]

He's been answering the same tired old Elvis "how did you get into your role?!" questions since June...God bless him...

[@elizabethkusce2718]

I cried when I saw the movie and he hit it on spot. I was born three months before Lisa Marie and I have been a fan of Elvis I know all of his songs and movies. Austin you are so awesome.

[@StefWriter]

"I'm flattered that anyone would think that I look like you." 🥺 That's true though! They do resemble each other. lol

[@oliviamarks3096]

🥺💖

[@Fairybloodsucker]

FUCK HE IS SO GORGEOUS

[@RyanG0sl1ngL0v3r]

he is sooo cute

[@Honeyablover]

AUSTIN I WATCHED IT 41 TIME HONEY

[@shannonglynice1142]

I'm on about 10/15 😄🤭☺️

[@sarahkolly9499]

So sweet how he complimented her outfit at the beginning ☺️

[@hawtmess66]

Austin Butler deserves an Oscar for this. He took that role and ran with it. His career is going to skyrocket

[@haileydrahota6511]

i’m so in love with him

[@blahblahblah7186]

SLAYYYYY KING IS BACK TELL HIM HOW MUCH WE ALL LOVE HIM GIRLY. the interview was amazing !

[@joannemurdock7899]

AUSTIN YOU have a HEARTMELTING smile, go fell for u when u were on the Ferris wheel and you smiles and said "im ready to fly" OSCOR for u young man! ALL THE BEST AUSTIN, 🥰FR.AUSTRALIA

[@ruthnagarya2028]

THANK YOU AUSTIN you still have that Southern accent and, frankly, I hope you retain it. You were amazing in ELVIS or rather you WERE ELVIS your hard work has been rewarded., the film and you have all ready nominations for the film at People's Choice awards and there WILL be nominations for an OSCAR and a WIN for Austin, Tom and Baz, I can feel it.

[@rachelborowyckyj626]

I pre ordered the movie and got the DVD last week, I almost cried when it got delivered .

[@maryvernooy1330]

Austin did his own singing, playing his own instruments, dancing along with embodied Elvis essence I hope he is nominated for the oscar and better yet wins it. Knowone this year has done all that in the movies this year except Austin Butler.

[@RhondaGarzaAirforce98]

A great interview

[@oliviamarks3096]

💞

[@thischickkej]

i watched it for the first time a few weeks ago and it completely changed my opinion on elvis. incredible film and incredible interview!

[@hollynewey9342]

this is 1 of my fav interviews cuz of the questions asked. you get alot of the interviews ask the same old questions but she switched it up a bit and i like that. austin is just a god mate

[@oliviamarks3096]

Thank you so much ❤

[@michaelajuanitatogonon40]

People are like "OMG HE IS STILL DOING THE ELVIS VOICE!!!" No, he said the proscess was 2 years so he is like in away stuck with the voice but if I'm being honest I did see him in once upon a time in Hollywood

[@keetonplace]

Not a bad voice to be stuck with. One of the big magazines did a survey of what part of the country women thought men had the sexiest voice. They, in fact, used Elvis as an example because the south won by 39%, with the next places far, far behind. Worst was northeast.

[@carolynwhite6217]

I'm watching the film and listening to this Interview to compare the voices, the voice he now is only deeper than his normal voice before Elvis, to me here, his doesn't sound like Elvis

[@jdyn322]

Oscar 4 Austin!🎉👑🎶

[@lisa-cp8kx]

Such a nice humble young man that is so talented!

[@mattgalpin4682]

I already falling in love with austin butler when he talks it sounds like elvis presley

[@vanflor7159]

Love this interview ❤ he’s so humble & down to earth 🥰 she did an awesome job & he answered so nicely 💯😍😇 loved her questions and the way he answered was awesome 😄

[@oliviamarks3096]

Thank you so much I’m so glad you enjoyed 💞

[@tomk9890]

This is one of the best interviews I've seen. you asked great and different questions from other interviews. Great job!!!

[@oliviamarks3096]

Thank you so much!

[@crystalharris7394]

He deserves an Oscar that was a wonderful performance💗💗💗

[@nicolepartridge_]

Lovely interview 👏🏻 I love you guys ❤

[@oliviamarks3096]

💞💞

[@sallybenda4337]

Elvis was a remarkable entertainer. I never saw him in person because being 16 I didn’t have money. Of course I went to all his movies. I could afford that. He was real big before the army. Those 2 years off didn’t help his popularity. The movies were ok after he came home

[@abbeydawn8321]

So happy to have some new Austin content, I've been waiting so patiently since you posted your tiktok teasing it. Such a lovely interview!!

[@MalinaIrene]

I’m pretty late to this seeing as how it came out in like 2022, but I just recently watched Elvis and LOVED it and am now obsessed with the movie and have watched it 2-3 more times since then AND ordered the movie and just got it today so I am OBSESSED with this movie now and intend on watching it all the time!!

[@theresamacias291]

Happy for Him! 😍😎😁

[@doctogram11]

Like If Austin Butler Should Win An OSCAR!

[@savannahmonet9582]

Great questions! I hate when I watch all the interviews and it’s the same questions lol

[@aracelyb.727]

I enjoy soo much every single interview with Austin. He is such a Beautiful person and I said this so many times HE DID SO AWESOME in Elvis!!! I have always been a fan and Loved Elvis since I was a young teen ager and now I am same age as LisaMarie P. The crazy part is, ever since I watched the movie Elvis I started to watch all his movies again and to listen to all his songs and even planning my very first trip to Graceland And who is making all this happen -> the one and only Austin Butler 👏🏻👏🏻🥰👍👍

[@Pablorcct]

Great interview, Austin did an amazing performance and looks like he knows that he deserves the Oscar... really this movie is one of the greatest i've ever seen on my life ❤️🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@channelabdullaev]

Just finished Blue Valentine… didn’t make me cry but it was sooooo relatable (been married ten years so far) and gosh, what an insight into what resonates with Austin. A hopeless romantic and deep soul.

[@lifeissweet9826]

I don't remember if I can dream from the 68 special. I was in college and probably only saw parts of the TV show. Celine Dion performed If I can dream witb a hologram of elvis performing it, on AMERICAN IDOL, and I saw it then. I was shocked at elvis performance so I found it on you tube. Wonderful. For Austin to perform THAT ONE SONG SO PERFECTLY, then he should get an Oscar. Thank goodness, even in October people are still doing interviews with him about this fabulous movie.

[@banditelvis721]

he performed it but didnt sing it, it was all elvis

[@user-crxfmuf]

@@banditelvis721 What we hear is a mix of Elvis and Austin (Elvis being the dominant voice) but he did sing all the songs during the shoot and recorded his voice which was then used for the mixing. Variety also confirmed this in their article. Him even deciding to sing those songs and not lip sync is a brave thing.

[@lifeissweet9826]

@@user-crxfmuf yes from what I could understand to avoid lip synching he recorded his own voice matching elvis way of singing it, and only if needed to fill a gap would they mix the two voices. The reason is modern movie sound is leaps ahead of 1968 sound systems. You can't put an old soundtrack in a new movie musical. However, most of If I can dream is definitely Elvis because I can hear his vibrato. Austin actually sings along with elvis, prevents lip synching, which is always obvious. With Austin's voice recorded, they play elvis and give Austin a muted mic so Aust can belt it out but it's elvis voice we hear. ELVIS had one evening to learn and perfect this song. The colonel said no and elvis said I'm doing it and ran roughshod over the lyrics, as only Elvis could do. And created a classic.

[@lifeissweet9826]

@@banditelvis721 when I say perfectly I don't mean voice, I mean his movements. I've never seen Elvis perform like that for a song that was not rock and roll. It was jerky, seemed on the fly due to his feelings taking him over, and totally emotional at the moment. It's such a classic and had everyone in tears in the studio.

[@keetonplace]

Please know that Austin sang by himself before 1960. After that, it was a blending of ELVIS and Austin. I heard mostly Elvis.

[@carolinederry7465]

I was so taken by The movie and Austin's performances I rented the movie 3 times on Dish Demand. . Probably will rent it again

[@milianiruiz9036]

forcing myself to cry after watching the notebook tonight

[@nataliecook2055]

This comment got me 🤣

[@shannonglynice1142]

😃😄😁😆😀😉🙃

[@Verbsdescribeus]

Due to this movie, I discovered 8 cinema theaters and saw Elvis in a new light , as a 20+ years fan :)

[@jn3723]

I think Austin loves London, loves England since he spent one year there filming Master of the Air and made friends. When you say he may look like a Winsor, he does look a bit like the young prince William .

[@cadesfamilytime1675]

Good lord 😮❤what a perfect interview . I wound be speechless absolutely wordless . He’s to good looking to talk to

[@oliviamarks3096]

Thank you so much 💗

[@cadesfamilytime1675]

Yes your welcome !!! You definitely were composed . Were you a bit nervous ?

[@joannemurdock7899]

STORY OF A MUCH LOVED AMERICAN LEGEND AND ICON LOOKS AND SOUNDS AMERICAN ENTIRELY FILMED IN AUSTRALIA AMAZINGLY WELL DONE MOVIE BRILLIANT AWESOME OSCORS GALLORE FOR ELVIS THE MOVIE IS SENSATIONAL BRILLIANT AWESOME