Austin Butler has once again thrown himself wholeheartedly into the depths of method acting, albeit this time acknowledging the endeavor was laced with a palpable sense of trepidation. The 34-year-old thespian stars in Darren Aronofsky's forthcoming cinematic venture, "Caught Stealing," portraying Hank Thompson, an ex-baseball pro who finds himself entangled in a perilous treasure hunt spanning the bustling streets of New York City.
In an interview with Variety, Butler delved into the lengths he went to embody his character, revealing that he actually moved into Hank's East Village apartment set. "I jammed out to music, danced freely, and indulged in Chinese cuisine within those walls," he confided. "It made the place feel like my second home. I spent entire nights slumbering there, only to awaken to the crew bustling in as I was still in my skivvies."
For Butler, these decisions served as a catalyst for staying laser-focused and shutting out distractions amidst filming chaos. "When making a movie, an array of obstacles conspires against you," he remarked, highlighting how cameras, lights, and unfinished sets can shatter the illusion. "Thus, the more I can trick myself into believing, the more crucial it becomes."
Yet, donning Hank Thompson's shoes proved to be a personal uphill battle for Butler. "Portraying a character that mirrored facets of myself left me with no refuge and exposed my vulnerabilities," he admitted candidly. The role necessitated him to inhabit the skin of an alcoholic bartender whose aspiration to become a pro athlete was brutally truncated by injury. "He needed to exude the physicality of an elite athlete, albeit one no longer in his prime," Butler elaborated.
To strike this delicate equilibrium, Butler trained rigorously but also strategically gained weight. "I yearned for a certain robustness. So, I worked out relentlessly, but I also partook in my fair share of beer," he said.
The film, adapted from the graphic novel of the same title, boasts an ensemble cast that includes Zoë Kravitz, Regina King, Liev Schreiber, and Bad Bunny. While Butler has already established his dedication to transformative acting, his heartfelt confession of fear and fragility adds a profound layer to his commitment as he tackles the role in "Caught Stealing."
