Austin Butler Didn't See Family For 3 Years When He Was Filming 'Elvis'

Austin Butler has revealed the extreme lengths he went to during the filming of Baz Luhrmann's "Elvis."

The 31-year-old rising star recalled his intense preparation to play the King of Rock and Roll during his recent "Actors on Actors" interview for Variety with "Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery" actress Janelle Monáe.

He admitted that it wasn't easy as the journey of playing Elvis Presley prevented him from seeing his family for three years and sometimes involved him not speaking to anyone for months at a time.

"During 'Elvis,' I didn't see my family for about three years. I was prepping with Baz, and then I went to Australia. I had months where I wouldn't talk to anybody," Butler said. "And when I did, the only thing I was ever thinking about was Elvis. I was speaking in his voice the whole time...This is what it takes."

According to Butler, the "Elvis" production initially planned to film in sequence, so that he could gain some weight and come back as an older Elvis. However, the actor revealed that "the whole schedule got turned upside down" thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We ended up working a lot with finding subtle ways that you can age. Elvis ended up experiencing a lot of pain in his knees, in his back, and I felt that completely," he explained.

Butler filmed Presley's big comeback performance on the second day of production. Looking back, the actor said it was "so nerve-racking" despite having a year and a half to prepare up to that point.

"And all the preparation is for nothing if you don't get it. Before walking out onstage, I really had the terror: 'My career feels like it's on the line in this moment,'" Butler explained. "But at that point in Elvis' life, his career was on the line and he had terror."

Butler's preparation appeared to have been successful as he is nominated for best actor in a drama film at the upcoming Golden Globe awards. "Elvis" is also nominated for best drama film, while Luhrmann is nominated for best film director.

Prior to his acting nod, Butler received praise for his performance in the biopic from the late icon's daughter, Lisa Marie Presley.

"I have seen Baz Luhrmann's movie 'Elvis' twice now, and let me tell you that it is nothing short of spectacular. Absolutely exquisite," she wrote on Instagram in May.

"Austin Butler channeled and embodied my father's heart and soul beautifully," she continued. "In my humble opinion, his performance is unprecedented and FINALLY done accurately and respectfully. If he doesn't get an Oscar for this, I will eat my own foot, haha."

After it premiered in June, Hugh Jackman also praised the movie as "incredible."

"Everyone went crazy. The music, the visuals, the acting, the production design – everything about is just so beautifully done. It is just so much fun and I highly, highly recommend you all go out to see it," the "X-Men" star wrote.