Austin Butler Embraces Action-Packed Stunts in Upcoming Film "Caught Stealing"
Austin Butler is no stranger to taking risks for his roles, often stating he’ll "just deal with the bruises later." In a candid interview with Men’s Health, the Oscar-nominated actor shared his intense experiences while filming fight scenes for his latest movie, Caught Stealing, directed by the acclaimed Darren Aronofsky.
Butler revealed that he "almost cracked" a rib during one particularly challenging scene. “Darren really put me through the ringer on this film,” he admitted. “There’s a lot of running from people chasing me in cars and getting beaten up repeatedly. I get into it with two Russian characters, and one of my co-stars, Nikita Kukushkin, is a powerhouse. At first, he hesitated to kick me too hard because he felt bad. I kept urging him, ‘Just kick me! Hit me harder!’ But when I reviewed the footage, I realized it didn’t look real enough.”
Eventually, Kukushkin took Butler’s advice, delivering a more authentic performance that included a headbutt that nearly cracked Butler’s rib. "I was genuinely impressed!" he remarked.
Butler also recounted a scene where he was thrown onto a specially designed soft foam table by his co-star, Bad Bunny, and the Russian actors. “Every time they slammed me down, the table would bend,” he explained. “Since I was wearing minimal padding, it was tough to hide any protection. Darren insisted it looked fake, so they decided to switch to a wooden table. Suddenly, I found myself being slammed onto this hard surface without much protection!”
Butler emphasized that due to specific camera angles, he often forgoes using a stunt double. “I did have an amazing stunt double, but for the most part, I’m willing to say, ‘Let’s go for it! I’ll take the bruises,’” he stated.
In a lighthearted moment, Butler joked about the scale of his stunts compared to those of action star Tom Cruise. “I feel a bit ridiculous talking about my stunts when Tom Cruise is out there hanging off airplanes. I’m just getting slammed onto tables! He’s the true peak of action,” he laughed.
Caught Stealing, which also features Zoë Kravitz, tells the gripping story of Hank Thompson, a former baseball player who unexpectedly finds himself embroiled in a perilous fight for survival in the criminal underbelly of 1990s New York City. Mark your calendars—the film hits theaters on August 29.
Stay tuned for this thrilling adventure, where Butler showcases his commitment to authenticity and action!
