Austin Butler Recalls Terrifying Feeling While Preparing for 'Elvis' Role — Here's Why

Austin Butler revealed how portraying Elvis Presley was not easy at all.

After outshining Harry Styles and Miles Teller for Elvis Presley's role in "Elvis," Butler opened up about the struggles he went through to make himself become the King of Rock & Roll for Baz Luhrmann's movie.

Speaking in a new interview with Jimmy Kimmel, the actor opened up about the stresses and fears he felt throughout the two-year preparation.

"I would usually wake up every day around 3 or 4 in the morning with this terror," he said during the Jan. 9 episode of "Jimmy Kimmel Live," adding, "It was just such a daunting thing. I really was just guided by my terror."

Among his preparations included listening to compilations of Presley's voice and laugh. He also listened to his songs for hours and worked on his movement to make his portrayal perfect. Singing coaches also helped him with his transformation.

However, his preparation was prolonged after Tom Hanks tested positive for COVID-19 in 2020. At that time, he became worried about losing the progress he had made so far.

To ensure it would not happen, Butler reportedly covered his room with Presley's photographs and studied even the late singer's laugh.

Butler is reaping the fruit of his hard work, as "Elvis" has already received different accolades. Currently, it is up to winning three Golden Globe Awards: Best Picture (Drama), Best Actor (Drama), and Best Director.

Austin Butler Broken After Mom's Death

Aside from "Elvis," Butler also faced a challenge when his mom, Lori, died of cancer in 2014.

In one of The Hollywood Reporter's Actor Roundtable discussions, the actor said he questioned his acting career at that time. Still, he had to make "The Shannara Chronicles" while mourning his mother.

"I owe her for everything because she quit her job and drove me to auditions and took me to acting classes," he said.

Butler said a lot of people enjoyed the MTV show. But for his part, he reportedly went home at all times and cried every night. Although he took a time off, he reportedly found himself sinking "into a deeper and deeper depression."

A few months later, his agent called him and told him to try "The Iceman Cometh." Amid his doubts, he eventually landed the part and let the project change his career.

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