If Austin Butler wasn’t so passionate on bringing late legend Elvis Presley to life on the big screen, Elvis may never have seen the light of day. Released in theaters last year, Elvis introduced Butler as the King of Rock ’n’ Roll under the creative direction of director/co-writer Baz Luhrmann. The film was a big hit at the box office and has drawn widespread critical praise for Butler as Elvis as well as co-star Tom Hanks as Colonel Tom Parker.

But the Elvis movie almost crashed and burned in development hell, as Luhrmann admits he came very close to canceling the project entirely in the early days of the pandemic. Per Variety, the filmmaker addressed the situation at the Friday brunch at the Parker Palm Springs where he was bestowed with the Creative Impact in Directing award. Butler was also on hand to present the award, referring to Luhrmann as a “filmmaker who knows how to create a spectacle like no other.”

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Luhrmann explained in his acceptance speech that the film was nearly nixed, and it was Butler who played an instrumental role in saving Elvis. Comparing his movies to a parent’s children, Luhrmann says he loves all his films equally, but it’s different with Elvis given how close he came to trashing the movie. Early into production, the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, and Tom Hanks was one of the first celebrities to be diagnosed, having contracted the virus on the set of the film. That wound up putting the project in jeopardy, but Butler’s refusal to give up on Elvis inspired Luhrmann to hold on as well.

Elvis Was a Big Hit

     Warner Bros. 

It all worked out in the end, as Elvis was a big success, resulting in these continued accolades. It is the second highest-grossing musician biopic of all time behind only Bohemian Rhapsody. It was named one of the year’s best films by the American Film Institute and is expected to garner some nominations at the Oscars after first getting attention at other awards shows like the Critics’ Choice Awards, Golden Globes, and People’s Choice Awards.

Elvis is streaming on HBO Max. It will also screen for free in ten cities on Jan. 8 in honor of Elvis Presley’s birthday.