Austin Butler stands on the cusp of capturing all eyes in the highly anticipated crime thriller, "Caught Stealing," helmed by the esteemed Darren Aronofsky. The narrative intricately weaves a tale revolving around Hank Thompson, a former high school baseball legend who, upon innocuously accepting the task of babysitting his neighbor's cat, unexpectedly finds himself ensnared in a labyrinthine web of criminality and brutality. Butler, jesting about the film's feline co-star, Tonic, quipped with a grin, "I wasn't even permitted to lock gazes with him—it was a stipulation etched in his paw-sitively ironclad contract. With four years of unspoken drama school under his furry chest, Tonic delivered his unspoken lines with impeccable precision, arriving on set with an aura of feline sophistication that had everyone else in awe, purring with admiration."
Despite his lighthearted remarks, Butler forged a profound connection with Tonic, often pampering the cat with gourmet treats after grueling scenes to ensure its well-being. With a wink and a chuckle, Butler added, "He graduated at the top of his class with honors, his unspoken lines as flawless as they could possibly be."
His co-star, Zoë Kravitz, also sang Tonic's praises, stating, "He was truly remarkable—working with him was far less daunting than we had feared." Kravitz affectionately nicknamed Tonic a "diva," emphasizing the feline's diva-like demeanor behind the cameras.
Dedicated to authenticity, Butler performed all his own stunts, which involved dangling precariously from a six-story building and enduring blows from a fellow actor. "I channeled my inner Jackie Chan… I thrive on dedication and commitment!" he elaborated with a grin. The physically demanding role left Butler bruised from head to toe and came perilously close to fracturing a rib. To embody the physique of a former baseball star, Butler embarked on an intense fitness regimen, incorporating hip thrusts and squats, while indulging in pizza and beer to mirror Hank's struggle with alcoholism.
When prompted about any personal experiences with theft, Kravitz shared a candid anecdote from her youth, revealing, "Alright, there was this one time… I shoplifted earrings from Claire's as a child, but a security guard caught me and asked what was in my pocket. Not something I'm proud of, but it's my one and only confession!"
"Caught Stealing," adapted from Charlie Huston's riveting novel of the same name, boasts an ensemble cast that includes powerhouse performers like Regina King, Bad Bunny, Liev Schreiber, Vincent D'Onofrio, and Carol Kane. Set against the gritty backdrop of 1998 New York City, the film promises breathtaking action sequences and a harrowing journey into a world of gangsters, violence, and the sheer will to survive.
