Austin Butler's Struggle To Become Elvis Presley: Karate Every Day Until Injury

Austin Butler (Warner Bros)

JAKARTA - Austin Butler has a way of exploring the character of Elvis Presley in the biopic by Baz Luhrmann. He explained that he practiced karate every day with the coach.

“I practice karate every day with the coach. We study the Elvis movement and the people who inspired it," Austin Butler told AP Entertainment.

In addition, he also learned to dance, especially tap dancing to match Elvis Presley's agile movements when singing. He also practiced singing starting with vocal practice every morning.

“(Learn) some common things like swing and tap dancing for the sake of dexterity. We did a lot of things,” he continued.

"I learned everything from physical exercise to keep my body moving," she says.

This intense training caused Butler to often suffer injuries in the legs. He even had time to be hospitalized after finishing shooting the film Elvis.

“I went through a lot of rehab because I accidentally injured my shoulder and knee. This is something I have to go through,” added Austin Butler.

Baz Luhrmann also saw Austin Butler not only wanted to imitate Elvis but he saw how the actor brought the legendary figure to life. This opinion is also approved by Elvis' ex-wife, Priscilla Presley, who praised Butler's appearance.

"What he (Butler) did was not just imitate but bring Elvis to life, he humanized him," said Baz Luhrmann.

Austin Butler's appearance as Elvis Presley can be proven through the film Elvis, which opens in theaters starting today, Friday, June 24.