Tom Hanks Offered Austin Butler ‘Masters of the Air’ Role After Concerns Over His ‘Mental Health’ Following-‘Elvis’

In the wake of the extensive awards season for “Elvis,” Austin Butler is on the verge of showcasing his talents in two highly anticipated projects: Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune: Part 2” and the upcoming Apple TV+ miniseries “Masters of the Air.”

The latter miniseries, produced by industry titans Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, stands as the latest addition to their esteemed World War II chronicles, which already boasts the acclaimed achievements of “Band of Brothers” and “The Pacific.” Recently, Butler shared in an interview with The Times of London that his leading role in “Masters of the Air” came about due to Hanks’ genuine concern for his mental health in the aftermath of “Elvis.”

Butler recounted Hanks’ words: “Your deep immersion in ‘Elvis’ has me worried about your mental well-being. It would be prudent to transition into something new for your emotional stability. If you suddenly step away, the potential emotional jolt might be overwhelming… and, well, I have this project I’m producing.”

Reflecting on his “Elvis” experience, Butler noted, “The role pushed me to explore the limits of my capabilities, and not every venture will replicate that intensity. While I don’t anticipate encountering something quite like it again, the prospect of delving deep into my roles makes me feel invigorated.”

The 31-year-old actor gained recognition with an Oscar nomination for Best Actor, a testament to his exceptional performance in “Elvis.” A three-year journey prepared him for the role, encompassing the mastery of Elvis’ distinctive southern accent. Additionally, he committed to consuming melted Häagen-Dazs ice cream to attain the necessary weight for the character. Last year, Butler revealed to GQ magazine that his dedication to the role was so all-encompassing that he contracted a virus immediately after wrapping production on the musical biopic. This virus mimicked appendicitis symptoms, leaving Butler confined to his bed for a week.

“The day after wrapping ‘Elvis,’ I woke up at four in the morning in agonizing pain and had to be rushed to the hospital,” Butler recounted. “My body seemed to shut down right after completing the film.”

Presently, “Elvis” is accessible for streaming on the Max platform.