Priscilla Presley Isn’t Sure If She Approves of Austin Butler Playing Elvis in Upcoming Biopic: ‘I Don’t Know’

A little over a week after it was announced that actor Austin Butler would be portraying the role of Elvis Presley in his upcoming biopic, the late rocker’s former wife, Priscilla Presley, revealed whether or not she’s happy with the choice.

“I don’t know,” the 74-year-old beauty told RadarOnline.com about the casting while out and about on Wednesday, July 24. When asked who she wants to play her character in the highly anticipated film, Priscilla laughed and then agreed with photogs after they suggested singer Lana Del Rey be cast for the role. “I like Lana a lot,” the Dallas actress said. 

News that Austin, 27, was gearing up to put on a pair of blue suede shoes first made headlines on July 15. Warner Bros. Pictures made the exciting announcement that he landed the role of Elvis in Baz Luhrmann‘s upcoming biopic.

Although Priscilla — who was married to the “Jailhouse Rock” singer from 1967 to 1973 and remained close friends until the icon’s death in August 1997 — doesn’t seem to be the biggest fan of the choice, Austin obviously couldn’t be more over the moon.

“I am just profoundly honored that Baz has invited me on this journey with him,” the actor, best known for his roles in shows like The Carrie Diaries and Zoey 101, marveled to Entertainment Tonight at the red carpet premiere of Once Upon a Time In Hollywood on July 22. “It’s an extraordinary privilege. And I just feel so blessed to be working with such singular directors like him and Quentin Tarantino.”

The choice might not make sense to fans of Elvis — and apparently Priscilla too — considering Austin is a former Nickelodeon star, but the biopic’s director released a statement explaining how he delicately chose an actor for the high-profile leading role.

“I knew I couldn’t make this film if the casting wasn’t absolutely right, and we searched thoroughly for an actor with the ability to evoke the singular natural movement and vocal qualities of this peerless star, but also the inner vulnerability of the artist,” Luhrmann said in a statement. “I had heard about Austin Butler from his stand-out role opposite Denzel Washington in The Iceman Cometh on Broadway, and through a journey of extensive screen testing and music and performance workshops, I knew unequivocally that I had found someone who could embody the spirit of one of the world’s most iconic musical figures.”

We have no doubt that Austin is going to absolutely nail his impression of the beloved “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.” If you’re interested in seeing him on the big screen before the Elvis biopic is released, you can see him in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, which hits theaters July 26!