Photos: The Cast Of Elvis Compared To Their Real-Life Counterparts
Elvis Presley fans have been waiting for the highly anticipated release of the Elvis, the biopic directed by Baz Luhrmann that even has Priscilla Presley speaking out. See what she thought about Austin Butler's portrayal of Elvis on the big screen, what the cast looks like alongside the real-life people they portrayed, plus bonus photos from the film.
Austin Butler as Elvis Presley
Austin Butler is an American actor and singer born in 1991. Butler landed a major role when he was cast to play the King himself in the highly anticipated biopic Elvis.
The actor's singing and dancing skills were put to the test when he stepped into the iconic white leather boots.
Austin Butler as Elvis Presley
While Butler is sometimes known for his signature sandy blonde hair, his transformation into Elvis began when he dyed his hair jet black for the role.
Even being an actor with multiple credits, living up to Elvis's legacy in front of his living family and friends is not an easy feat. But according to early reviews, Butler managed to pull it off.
Olivia DeJong as Priscilla Presley
Australian-born actress Olivia DeJong was cast to play a young Priscilla Presley in the Elvis biopic.
Priscilla is well-remembered for her tendency to drastically change up her look over the years using fashion and hairstyles. DeJong embodies more than one iconic Priscilla style over the course of the film.
Austin Butler and Olivia DeJong as Elvis and Priscilla Presley
The couple met when Priscilla was only 14 years old and Elvis was stationed in West Germany during his stint in the U.S. Army. In 1959, Priscilla's father was also stationed in Germany where the two met for the first time.
Elvis and Priscilla continued their budding relationship over the course of the next 8 years before deciding to tie the knot.
Tom Hanks as Colonel Tom Parker
Colonel Tom Parker was Elvis Presley's notoriously intense manager. He was a Dutch musical entrepreneur who managed Presley's uniquely successful career from 1955 until his death in 1977.
Parker is played by two-time Acadamy Award winner Tom Hanks who always delivers his own spin on a character and is sure to do the same with the Colonel.
Dacre Montgomery as Steve Binder
Dacre Montgomery is an Australian actor who is most well known for his role as Billy Hargrove in Stranger Things. Montgomery landed the role of Steve Binder in the Elvis biopic.
Steve Binder is an American Producer and director. When he was young, Binder directed Elvis's NBC television event that became referred to as the '68 Comeback Special.
Kodi Smit-Mcphee as Jimmie Rodgers
Kodi Smit-Mcphee began acting at the age of 9 and has multiple major film credits to his name.
Mcphee can now add Elvis to that list because he's playing the man known as "the Father of Country Music," Jimmy Rodgers. Elvis was once quoted saying that Rodger's music was an important influence on him.
Luke Bracey as Jerry Schilling
Luke Bracey is an Australian actor who is frequently cast in action films. He's shifting gears for the Elvis biopic where he plays Jerry Schilling, Elvis's personal talent manager and a member of Presley's "Memphis Mafia."
Schilling's success as a manager wasn't limited to Elvis— he also represented The Beach Boys, Jerry Lee Lewis, and eventually, Lisa Marie Presley.
Helen Thomson as Gladys Presley
Helen Thompson is an Australian actress who landed the role of Elvis's ill-fated mother, Gladys.
Thomson has shared promotional photos of herself in character filming alongside her co-stars (keep reading to see). One caption explains "Gladys Presley, who I had the great honor of playing in Baz Luhrmann's soon to be released #elvismovie, was never happier than when she was with her son."
Richard Roxburgh as Vernon Presley
Richard Roxburgh is an Australian actor, producer, director, and writer who has spent time both on-screen and in the theatre.
He plays the role of Elvis's father Vernon Presley who was very close with his only surviving child throughout his life and iconic career. He affectionately referred to Elvis as "the boy".
Kelvin Harrison Jr. as B.B. King
Kelvin Harrison Jr. landed the role of the legendary blues guitarist B.B. King in the Elvis biopic.
B.B. King was one of Elvis's musical idols when they eventually met and became close friends and musical collaborators. Their relationship had an impact not only within the music industry but culturally as well.
Xavier Samuel as Scotty Moore
Xavier Samuel was cast to play the role of Scotty Moore, who was Elvis's first guitarist and manager.
Moore was a significant part of Elvis's career playing alongside the superstar from 1954 through 1964. He also reunited with Elvis for his 68' Comeback Special.
David Wenham as Hank Snow
David Wenham is an Australian actor who has appeared in television, film, and theatre productions. He plays the role of Hank Snow who was a Canadian-born country music singer/songwriter.
Snow was a regular at the Grand Ole Opry where he convinced his directors to allow rising rockabilly star Elvis Presley to be his opening act. Even though Elvis wasn't invited back, it was where he met his future manager Colonel Tom Parker.
Natasha Bassett as Dixie Locke
Australian actress Natasha Bassett was cast to play Dixie Locke, a young woman who was Elvis's first serious girlfriend in Memphis when he was still 19-years-old.
The couple dated for about two years from 1953 until October 1955 when Dixie recalls their relationship naturally suffered as a result of Elvis's growing career success.
Kate Mulvany as Marion Keisker
Kate Mulvaney is an Australian actress and screenwriter cast to play Marion Keisker, the influential Sun Records secretary who is best known as the first person to record an Elvis Presley song.
In 1953, an 18-year-old Elvis wandered into Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee to record a song he had written for his mother called "My Happiness." Marion Keisker was the only person working at the store and recorded Elvis for a standard $4 fee. It was Marion who convinced Elvis to return and play for the owner, Sam Phillips. Sam would go on to make Elvis's first record.
Tom Hanks as Colonel Tom Parker
This first look at Tom Hanks as Colonel Tom Parker in Elvis shows the actor in his character's southern cowboy-style costume typical of the Memphis area at the time.
Hanks appears to be wearing prosthetics on his chin and neck. After viewing the film in a private screening, Priscilla Presley shared on Facebook, "Tom Hanks was Col Parker in this film. What a character he was. There were two sides to Colonel, Jerry [Schilling] and I witnessed both."
Characters Gladys and Vernon Presley with Colonel Tom Parker
This still from the film shows Tom Hanks as Colonel Tom Parker in a scene alongside characters Gladys and Vernon Presley, played by Helen Thomson and Richard Roxburgh.
Priscilla Presley said "This story is about Elvis and Colonel Parker's relationship. It is a true story told brilliantly and creatively."
Austin Butler as Elvis Presley
Austin Butler's portrayal of Elvis Presley was never going to be a cakewalk, so to speak. The young actor had incredibly large rhinestone shoes to fill and he somehow managed to pull it off.
Priscilla Presley wrote: "Austin Butler, who played Elvis is outstanding. Halfway through the film Jerry [Schilling] and I looked at each other and said WOW!!! Bravo to him."
Austin Butler as Elvis Presley
Knowing Elvis still has a massive and dedicated fan base added significant pressure to Butler when it came to playing the role.
Butler told The Hollywood Reporter, "I feel such a responsibility to Elvis and to Priscilla and Lisa Marie and all the people around the world who love him so much."
Austin Butler and Priscilla Presley At The 2022 Met Gala
In addition to Priscilla's stamp of approval shared on Facebook, she attended the 2022 Met Gala alongside Austin Butler and the cast of the Elvis movie.
Priscilla concluded her review by saying "The story, as we all know, does not have a happy ending. But I think you will understand a little bit more of Elvis' journey, penned by a director who put his heart and soul and many hours into this film."
