Austin Butler nominated for first Oscar for Actor in a Leading Role for Elvis

Austin Butler has been nominated for a Best Actor in a Leading Role award at the 95^th Academy Awards.

Butler got the nod in one of the top categories for his role as Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis.

Butler took on the role of The King for one of the big hits of the year, helmed by Romeo & Juliet director and sunscreen enthusiast Baz Luhrmann.

He has already picked up the Golden Globe and will be amongst the frontrunners to pick up the Best Actor gong when the glitzy award ceremony rolls around on March 13.

Warner Bros.

Butler will definitely face some stiff competition, though.

Also nominated in his category are Colin Farrell for The Banshees of Inisherin, Brendan Fraser for The Whale, Paul Mescal for Aftersun, and British acting legend Bill Nighy for Living.

Butler actually attracted a lot of attention for his acceptance speech at the Golden Globes, with many on social media jibing him for his accent upon picking up the trophy.

However, his speech coach has since spoken out to defend him, saying that he was just talking how he usually talks.

Irene Bartlett, who worked closely with Butler to develop his Elvis impersonation, said: “What you saw in that Golden Globes speech, that’s him.

“It’s genuine, it’s not put on.”

“I feel sorry people are saying that, you know.

“Because of Covid shutdowns, he was working on it all the time and it’s difficult to switch off something you’ve spent so much focus [and] time on.”

She went on to explain that Butler had taken his Elvis voice ‘on board’ and said that the twang could ‘be there forever’ in his speech.

PA

That could get interesting if he ever takes on another role that isn’t Elvis Presley.

Speaking of his own vocal situation, Butler said: “I don’t think I sound like him still, but I guess I must ’cause I hear [people say that] a lot.

“I had three years where that was my only focus in life, so I’m sure that there’s just pieces of my DNA that will always be linked [to Elvis] in that way.”

Well, he's obviously done something right to be recognised by the Academy as he has.

Speaking of recognition, the big winners from the nominations, and those most likely to take the most awards home, include Martin McDonagh's The Banshees of Inisherin and Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert’s Everything Everywhere All At Once.

But we'll have to wait until March 13 to find out who gets their hands on the famous statues, though.