Baz Luhrmann on not casting Harry Styles as Elvis: "He's already an icon"

The Baz Luhrmann-directed Elvis biopic arrives in cinemas later this month, and after Styles spoke about trying to get the lead role in the film last month, saying, "if a director feels like I’m not the best person for the role then it’s better for them and it’s better for me," Luhrmann has discussed Styles not getting the part and giving it to Austin Butler instead.

He told Ryan ‘Fitzy’ Fitzgerald and Michael ‘Wippa’ Wipfli on Sydney's Nova 96.9, "Harry is a really talented actor. I would work on something with him ... the real issue with Harry is, he’s Harry Styles. 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," Luhrmann added. "He’s such a great spirit and I have nothing but great things to say about Harry Styles."

He also spoke about how he didn't hold auditions for the lead role, and instead hosted "really rich workshops".

Luhrmann said of Butler getting the lead role, "The thing about Aust was that he will tell you himself, I didn’t pick him, it’s as if he was drawn like the role drew them in because he was almost born to play it."