Baz Luhrmann Reveals Why Harry Styles Was Not Cast As Elvis In Biopic

Harry Styles was a serious contender to land the lead role in this year's Elvis biopic, directed by Baz Luhrmann. 

Instead, Luhrmann cast Austin Butler, revealing on radio podcast Fitzy & Wippa why he chose Butler over Styles.

“Harry is a really talented actor. I would work on something with him [but] the real issue with Harry is, he’s Harry Styles,” Luhrmann said.

"He’s already an icon. Harry and I came to a place, genuinely I mean, he was just desperate to put the suit on and explore. He’s such a great spirit and I have nothing but great things to say about Harry Styles.

"The thing about Austin was that he will tell you himself, I didn’t pick him: It’s as if he was drawn, like the role drew him in, because he was almost born to play it.

"You know, we can talk about it now, he like loses his mom at the same age that Elvis did. He sends a video to me with this thing and… He just happened like two years non-stop living and breathing as Elvis. He’s now going through a sort of, it’s like, deprogramming thing because he’s been a long time since he’s known who he was.”

Styles' acting career is still set to explode later this year, with roles in films including Don't Worry Darling and My Policeman.

The biopic stars Austin Butler and Oscar-winning Tom Hanks and will explore the life and music of Elvis Presley (played by Butler) seen through the lens of his enigmatic manager, Colonel Tom Parker (played by Hanks).

The story sees the relationship evolve and span 20 years, from Presley's rise to fame to his unprecedented stardom.

The film is set to be released in Australian cinemas on the 23rd of June.