Elvis Presley and Austin Butler Star in Striking Side-by-Side Comparison Videos

Baz Luhrmann’s 2022 film “Elvis” has generally received positive reviews, with a 77% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.4/10 score on IMDb. Criticisms of the film often focus on its depiction of Elvis’s domineering manager, a preference for rapid pacing at the expense of depth, and the extravagant Luhrmann-style visuals.

Uncut Magazine suggests the movie is best enjoyed as a kind of theatrical spectacle, with fleeting appearances by well-known figures. One point of consensus among critics is Austin Butler’s impressive portrayal of Elvis, which has been hailed as both “stunning” and “terrific.” The following video demonstrates Butler’s remarkable performance as Elvis.

“Jailhouse Rock” became iconic as the theme of Elvis’s third film, released in 1957. Between 1958 and 1960, Elvis served in the US Army, followed by the filming of “G.I. Blues” and its hit soundtrack. In March 1961, Elvis held a fundraising concert for the USS Arizona memorial, marking his last public performance for seven years. Subsequently, Colonel Tom Parker steered Elvis towards a film career and away from live performances.

As Elvis’s movies became more formulaic and Parker limited him to soundtrack recordings, Elvis grew disheartened. By 1967, with his film career waning, Parker orchestrated an Elvis Christmas special on NBC. Thankfully, TV producer Bob Finkel reoriented the special towards what became the iconic ’68 Comeback Special, featuring performances like “Jailhouse Rock” and the next comparison video, “If I Can Dream.”

The backstory of “If I Can Dream” is fascinating. Originally, the 1968 concert film directed by Steve Binder was to conclude with a spoken word segment in response to the assassinations of Robert F Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr., the latter of which deeply affected Elvis. Instead, under pressure, musical director Billy Goldenberg and lyricist Walter Earl Brown created “If I Can Dream” overnight. Despite Colonel Parker’s preference for “I’ll be Home For Christmas,” Elvis and Binder ensured “If I Can Dream” closed the Special.

Following the Special’s success, Elvis resumed recording non-soundtrack music, leading to the celebrated “From Elvis in Memphis” LP and hit singles like “In the Ghetto” and “Suspicious Minds.”

The comparison videos clearly illustrate Austin Butler’s compelling portrayal of Elvis Presley. Notably, Butler performed his own singing parts, though Lurhmann blended Butler’s and Elvis’s voices for scenes depicting Elvis’s Las Vegas period.

As quoted on Goodto.com, Butler shared his rigorous preparation for the role: “I aimed to make my voice identical to his, which was daunting. This challenge fueled my determination. I underwent voice coaching for a year before filming began, feeling a deep sense of responsibility to Elvis, Priscilla, Lisa Marie, and his global fanbase.”