Jacob Elordi Only Knew About Elvis Presley Because Of “Lilo & Stitch”
Last year, Austin Butler made headlines for his portrayal of Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann’s biopic Elvis. However, before being cast in the role, Butler’s former girlfriend Vanessa Hudgens had predicted his resemblance to the music icon. This prompted Butler to audition for the role, eventually leading him to immerse himself in all things Elvis during the COVID-19 pandemic. On the other hand, Euphoria star Jacob Elordi had a different experience preparing for his role as Elvis in A24’s upcoming film Priscilla.
During an appearance on the Tonight Show, Elordi admitted that his knowledge of Elvis was limited to the 2002 Disney film Lilo & Stitch. Elordi’s casual approach to the audition process involved watching a clip of Elvis and quickly preparing the lines before submitting a self-tape. His goal was to approach the role as a relationship drama, much like the movie Blue Valentine.
Elordi’s comments sparked comparisons to Butler’s dedicated approach to playing Elvis. However, fans pointed out that the two performances were for different types of movies and required different levels of research. Additionally, Butler was stuck in the role for a longer period due to the pandemic.
Interestingly, many Gen Z individuals, including Elordi, learned about Elvis through Lilo & Stitch. The Disney movie, set in Hawaii, featured Elvis’s songs and portrayed Lilo’s interest in older music, like Elvis, as a defining characteristic. Elvis’s estate was heavily involved in the film, even hosting a luau party in celebration of its release.
In conclusion, while Butler and Elordi took different approaches to playing Elvis, both actors have contributed to keeping the music icon’s legacy alive on the big screen.
