Actor Austin Butler, fresh off his captivating performance in Dune: Part Two, is set to star in the upcoming crime thriller Caught Stealing, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Darren Aronofsky. The project, based on Charlie Huston's novel, has been acquired by Sony Pictures. The film revolves around Hank Thompson, a former baseball player, who finds himself embroiled in a dangerous battle for survival in the gritty criminal underworld of 1990s New York City.
Charlie Huston is penning the script for Caught Stealing, with Aronofsky producing through his Protozoa Pictures. Butler, who garnered critical acclaim for his role in the Baz Luhrmann biopic Elvis, received his first Oscar nomination for his performance. In Dune: Part Two, Butler impressed audiences with his portrayal of the menacing villain Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen.
Next on Butler's slate is the 1960s motorcycle drama The Bikeriders, scheduled for release in June. He also recently starred in the World War II aviation series Masters of the Air for Apple TV+. Caught Stealing marks another collaboration for Butler with a visionary director, following his work with Denis Villeneuve on Dune 2 and Luhrmann on Elvis.
Aronofsky expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “I am excited to be teaming up with my old friends at Sony Pictures to bring Charlie’s adrenaline-soaked roller-coaster ride to life. I can’t wait to start working with Austin and my family of NYC filmmakers.” Sony Pictures, known for its high-profile projects, is also working on Sam Mendes' Beatles biopics and Danny Boyle's 28 Years Later.
Sony Pictures’ Motion Picture Group President Sanford Panitch praised Aronofsky's storytelling prowess, emphasizing the excitement of adapting Huston's books for Butler's starring role. Aronofsky, represented by CAA, Narrative, and Goodman Genow, most recently directed The Whale, which earned Brendan Fraser an Oscar win in the same year Butler received his nomination.
Butler is represented by WME, Anonymous Content, and Sloane Offer, while Huston is represented by Katz Golden Lerner and Writers House. Deadline was the first to report this exciting news about Caught Stealing, promising an electrifying collaboration between Butler, Aronofsky, and Sony Pictures.
