Lately, critics have been praising Austin Butler's performance as Elvis Presley in the much-awaited biopic, Elvis. It all paid off — the actor's whole process of transforming into the King of Rock and Roll, which includes going the extra mile to perfect the singer's voice and accent.

But at the end of the day, what really matters is the Presleys' opinion. Here's what they really think about Butler's portrayal of the legend.

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How Austin Butler Got The Role Of Elvis Presley In 'Elvis'

In an interview with GQ, director Baz Luhrmann said that he was "equal parts confused and intrigued" with Butler's audition tape for the film. There, the actor performed Unchained Melody while wearing a bathrobe. "Was it an audition? Or was he having a breakdown? ... I asked one of my assistants [about Butler's accent]," recalled the filmmaker. "And the guy said, 'Well, he's not Southern. He's from Anaheim.' I don't think, until recently, I actually came to understand how Austin actually sounded."

Denzel Washington also helped in Butler's casting. "I get a phone call out of the blue from Denzel Washington, who I did not know," Luhrmann revealed. "Denzel Washington just said, in the most incredibly emotional and direct way, 'Look, I've just been on stage with this young actor [Butler]. I'm telling you, his work ethic is unlike anything I've ever seen. I've never seen anyone who devotes every single second of their lives to perfecting a role.'" Butler said in the same interview that he was "so grateful" for "this generous thing" Washington did and that "he didn't call me beforehand, he didn't call me after."

The young actor added that the Oscar winner became his mentor while they were working together on the 2018 Broadway production of Eugene O'Neill's The Iceman Cometh. Butler said that one time, Washington waved him over and said he "had an idea" for him. "Then I sat down; it's just Denzel and me in this empty theater," shared the Once Upon a Time in Hollywood star. "He started giving me acting advice and he really took me under his wing. He'd start telling me thoughts about the scene, and suddenly I've got Denzel almost as an acting coach."

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What Elvis Presley's Family Feels About Austin Butler's 'Elvis'

Presley's daughter, Lisa Marie said that Butler "channeled" her dad in the film. "It's almost as if he channeled him," she said in ABC's Exclusively Elvis: A Special Edition of 20/20. "He put everything he had, his heart, his soul, everything he had into researching, reading, watching, learning. He honored him in every way possible." In the special, Butler was also seen telling the singer about the challenges of portraying her father. "Looking at your dad, you watch him onstage and you just go, 'How are you doing that?'" he said.

"It's so remarkable, and it's hard not to feel like you're so small in comparison and that you're not enough," he continued. "And so, for me all those things that I could then find that clicked into his spirit then became the thing that carried me through." Lisa previously wrote on Instagram that Butler deserves an Oscar for his performance. "If Butler does not win an Oscar for the role, I will eat my own foot," she claimed. "You can feel and witness Baz's pure love, care, and respect for my father throughout this beautiful film, and it is finally something that myself and my children and their children can be proud of forever."

Lisa's mom and the Hound Dog performer's ex-wife, Priscilla also said that Butler had Presley's "guidance" throughout the making of the movie. "Austin, you know how we feel," she said during the premiere. "Truly, Elvis morphed into you, I have to say. You had his guidance."

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What Austin Butler Feels About The Reaction Of Elvis Presley's Family

Butler admitted that he felt tremendous pressure taking on the role of Presley despite his family's blessing. "I can't even put into words how much it means to me because I felt so much responsibility to them the entire time," said the 30-year-old. "That's the thing that would shoot me out of bed in the morning every day [during production]. I had no idea how they were going to respond. I was fully ready for them maybe not to want to watch it or not to like it or anything."

He added that it feels surreal to be supported by the family of the late musician. "I feel like I'm in a dream right now because they have been so warm and welcoming," he said of the Presleys. "I'm buzzing. Just getting to experience things that I can't even believe that I'm experiencing right now. ... it is just magic."

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