Austin Butler’s work schedule sounds exhausting, but also like he's opened Hollywood’s junk drawer and found nothing but prestige projects. The Oscar nominee has a Lance Armstrong biopic, a Park Chan-wook Western with Matthew McConaughey and, maybe most intriguingly for fans of new action movies, the recently confirmed Miami Vice reboot with Michael B. Jordan and director Joseph Kosinski. The actor has finally broken his silence on joining MBJ for the Miami reboot, and it sounds exciting.

It was reported last year that Butler was being eyed to play the role of Det. James "Sonny Crockett in the latest Miami Vice movie alongside Jordan's Det. Ricardo "Rico" Tubbs. Earlier this year, Butler's involvement was reportedly confirmed. During a recent interview with Vanity Fair, Butler was asked directly if he was looking forward to Miami Vice, and his answer was brief but enthusiastic. The actor did not spill plot details, but responded:

That is the first real temperature check we’ve gotten from Butler on the project, and it sounds like he’s very much all in. The reboot, titled Miami Vice ’85, has already drawn attention because of the talent attached. Kosinski is coming off major crowd-pleasing work with Top Gun: Maverick and F1, while newly minted Oscar winner Jordan has continued building a movie-star/director résumé that makes almost anything he joins worth tracking.

Butler Sounds Especially Excited About Michael B. Jordan

Butler and Jordan were previously paired with Paul Mescal for Vanity Fair’s Hollywood cover, and the magazine also featured the trio in a fun video where they watched iconic movie clips together. So Miami Vice ’85 will give Butler and Jordan a chance to actually share the screen. When asked whether he was excited to reunite with Jordan, he kept the praise coming:

For me, the Butler/Jordan pairing is the real draw here. Miami Vice is a known quantity, but nothing I have a particular relationship with, and that may be true for tons of potential theater goers. The reboot will need more than brand recognition. The original TV series has its own neon-soaked identity, and Michael Mann’s 2006 film has a moody, bruising energy that people still argue about. A new version has to justify itself, and casting two actors with serious screen presence is a pretty good place to start.

Miami Vice ’85 Has Some Serious Style Potential

The reboot's title alone suggests the movie may lean into the period setting rather than try to drag Miami Vice into the present day. That could be a smart move. The 1980s are baked into the franchise's DNA. When I think of Miami Vice, what immediately comes to mind is the music, cars, suits, heat, danger and the kind of cool that looks effortless.

Butler feels like a natural fit for that type of world. He has already shown he can carry a very specific aesthetic without disappearing inside it, whether playing Elvis Presley or bringing quiet swagger to The Bikeriders. Or, starring in another period piece, like Darren Aronofsky’s Caught Stealing. Jordan, meanwhile, has the charisma and physicality to make the action side click. One needn't look further than Jordan's celebrated work in Sinners or the Creed movies to get a sense of his talents.

With Kosinski behind the camera, this reboot also has a chance to feel big and very cinematic. If Miami Vice ’85 is going to work, it probably needs to look expensive, move fast and still have enough character tension under the hood to keep it from becoming a music video with badges.

For now, Austin Butler is wise not to give much away. But between his excitement for his co-star, his praise for the director and the sheer “wait, this could actually rip” potential of the project, Miami Vice ’85 is starting to look like one of the more interesting reboots on the horizon.

I have been following the entire Heat 2 development saga since I first heard that Michael Mann was adapting his 2022 novel of the same name into a big screen affair. Over the past few months, it has started to look like the sequel to one of the best ‘90s movies will feature a cast that’s just as stacked as the epic starring Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and the late Val Kilmer that came out 30 years ago this December.

While I am excited about the possibility of Leonardo DiCaprio and fellow Oscar winner Christian Bale getting major roles in the upcoming book-to-screen adaptation, all this recent news has me wondering about something. What’s happening with a pair of actors who were rumored to be starring in Heat 2 when the project started picking up steam, when the hotly-anticipated sequel was announced well over a year ago?

The Idea Of Leonardo DiCaprio And Christian Bale Leading A Crime Epic Has Me Excited

First, the idea of Leonardo DiCaprio and Christian Bale sharing the screen is something that has me even more excited about Heat 2. It’s like our generation’s version of Robert De Niro and Al Pacino finally having a scene together after all those years, with the only difference being that these two have never been in the same movie. Both have worked with directors like Christopher Nolan, Steven Spielberg and Paul Thomas Anderson, but never on the same picture.

Back in October 2025, Deadline reported that DiCaprio, hot off the decorated One Battle After Another, was in talks to play Chris Shiherlis, the character first brought to life by Val Kilmer in the original Heat. The following month, Deadline published a report stating that Bale, who’s set to appear in The Bride! next March, would be playing an undisclosed part. Could he be playing Neil McCauley? Vincent Hanna? Waingro? We’ll have to wait and see, I guess.

Also, What Does This Mean For Those Rumors About Adam Driver And Austin Butler?

Though I am excited to see two of the greatest living actors tear it up on screen and be involved with some high-stakes heists, I can’t help but wonder what this means for those rumors about Adam Driver and Austin Butler being in Heat 2. Over the past couple of years, outlets like The Hollywood Reporter have brought up Driver and Butler’s names as possibilities to play central characters, but nothing’s come of it.

I mean, Driver, who has worked with director Michael Mann on Ferrari, would be perfect as a younger Neil McCauley (the movie has two timelines – one before the events of Heat, the other after the 1995 film). Something similar could be said about Butler, whose skills would be perfect to play Chris Shiherlis. However, there haven’t been any updates about these two, and Butler is now being eyed to lead Joseph Kosinski’s Miami Vice adaptation alongside Michael B. Jordan. As much as I want these to happen, I just don’t know if they will.

It’s not yet known if Heat 2 will take up a spot on the 2026 movie schedule or later on. That said, I’ll be there the day it opens, even if my early actor wishlist doesn’t happen.

When you’re a celebrity, it’s just a fact of life that your personal life is going to become at least a little less personal. This is especially true for young and single celebrities, adding even more interest in who you might be dating. Austin Butler has to be one of the more eligible bachelors in Hollywood right now, and, at least according to him, it appears he’s still available.

Butler has recently been seen with model and actress Emily Ratajkowski. The pair were spotted at a restaurant together in September, so Vanity Fair asked the Elvis actor about their status. While Butler apparently became “sheepish” at the question, he denied there was anything romantic between them, saying they were just friends…twice. Butler said…

If Butler was at all “sheepish,” it may have been because he didn’t know how to answer the question, or it may have simply been that answering questions about your personal life like that is more than a little weird. Assuming he and Ratajkowski are just friends, it has to be weird when somebody asks you for details about a person you had dinner with

Of course, it’s perhaps somewhat understandable when, like Butler, Emily Ratajkowski is somebody whose love life is often the subject of paparazzi. Ratajkowski has previously been linked to Brad Pitt and has had relationships with Pete Davidson, among other celebrities. For Butler’s part, there have been rumors that he may have had something going on with his Caught Stealing co-star Zoe Kravitz, but nothing has been confirmed.

Many actors go to extreme lengths to keep their personal lives away from the public eye. Meanwhile, others have clearly just resigned themselves to the fact that pictures will be taken and stories will be written. Butler says he used to be in the first group, but now it seems like he’s becoming part of the second, as he’s not going to limit himself just because others will have opinions. He continued…

At a certain point, if a celebrity wants to keep the paparazzi away from getting pictures, it's going to mean not going out, and that's not exactly fair. Butler seems to be unwilling to limit himself just to keep people from talking.

In the end, what this probably means is that, whether he’s actually dating or just having dinner with friends, we may start seeing Austin Butler out and about, meaning there will probably be a lot of interest in who he’s out with.

In a world of rumored reboots and sequels, there seems to be one that might see the light of day. Years after Michael Mann’s lukewarm television show-to-movie adaptation of Miami Vice from 2006, Top Gun: Maverick director Joseph Kosinski has been lined up to direct a new big-screen take on the classic '80s show. Not everything seems to be official just yet apparently. However, Kosinski still has some glowing thoughts to share on the two actors reportedly being eyed for the lead roles -- Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler.

Kosinski recently attended the Hamilton Behind the Camera Awards, where he was recognizing the tremendous sound artists that worked on his 2025 movie release, F1. While on the red carpet, Kosinski chatted with Variety about the upcoming Miami Vice film he's been working on as of late. The filmmaker was specifically asked about the prospect of working with Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler, and Kosinski has specific reasons for wanting to join forces with the two A-listers:

It was reported just weeks ago that Michael B. Jordan was linked to Miami Vice, with insiders saying he was up for the role of Ricardo "Rico" Tubbs. Jordan is coming off the massive box office success of Sinners, and he's, of course, been a major star in the industry for years now. A massive film like this could be a nice notch on he Creed star's resume, and he could certainly bring charm and charisma to the role of Tubbs. Quite frankly, it's easy to understand just why Kosinski has admired Jordan for so long.

Of course, another great get for the film would be Austin Butler, who's reportedly in talks to take on the role of James "Sonny" Crockett. Butler has more than proven his acting prowess over the past several years, thanks to his roles in films like Elvis (which landed him an Oscar nomination) and The Bikeriders. As Joseph Kosinski said, he's made some interesting choices, and I think he'd be a solid fit for Sonny.

I personally can’t imagine a better creative team to adapt the beloved show. Joseph Kosinski is a hot director right now, coming off major big screen successes in F1 and Top Gun: Maverick. Additionally, Kosinski is known for the incredible technical sensibilities he brings to his features. I'd love to see what he could do with a detective-based IP like Miami Vice. Also, even more interestingly, Kosinski's film will reportedly be set in the '80s, which is when the OG show aired. Needless to say, this could be a very interesting production.

Still, Miami Vice is currently in the early stages of development, so it could be a while until official updates -- including confirmation on the two leads -- are confirmed. Still, I love hearing just how enthusiastic Joseph Kosinski is about it. In the meantime, though, Michael B. Jordan fans can check out Sinners by streaming it with an HBO Max subscription. And, to see Austin Butler's latest film, Caught Stealing, head on over to Amazon to rent it.

Michael B. Jordan has had a big year, as he headlined the critically acclaimed vampire thriller Sinners, which is now being mentioned amongst other potential awards contenders. It would seem that Jordan is still making serious moves, as he’s reportedly lining up another big franchise in the form of the big-screen Miami Vice reboot. His involvement in the film is exciting enough, but it would seem that another massive movie star is in talks to join the action flick. This would be a major pickup for the film, and I love this casting!

Per reports, Michael B. Jordan has been courted to play the role of Ricardo “Rico” Tubbs in Universal Pictures’ latest big-screen reimagining of the classic ‘80s TV series. The obvious question after that, of course, would be in regard to who’s playing Tubbs’ partner, James “Sonny” Crocket. Well, according to Variety, Austin Butler is now reportedly in negotiations to play the role of Sonny in the flick. According to the trade, neither Butler’s nor Jordan’s deals have been closed, as of this writing, but this is still an exciting bit of news.

I’d be lying if I said I knew every single detail about the Miami Vice franchise. However, given what I do know and have seen of the show, Butler would make just as perfect a Sonny as Jordan would make a Rico. Both stars ooze the kind of charisma that Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas had when they portrayed Crockett and Tubbs, respectively, on the OG show. What we could have with this reboot is an old-fashioned blockbuster that stars two of Hollywood’s premier leading men, and I’m so here for it!

Like his potential co-star, Austin Butler has also been putting in work as of late. This year alone, Butler graced the silver screen by way of Ari Aster’s neo-western, Eddington, and the Darren Aronofsky-helmed crime thriller Caught Stealing. The past few years have also seen Butler land roles in films like Dune: Part Two and The Bikeriders, and he was, of course, nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for her lead performance in 2022’s Elvis.

Should the not-exactly-method actor actually land the role of Crockett in Miami Vice, it would be another major gig for him. It would also pair him up with director Joseph Kosinski, who’s been hired to helm the flick. Kosinski’s hiring is just one thing MV has going for it, as he has plenty of experience handling massive films. Only the Brave and Tron: Legacy are among some of Kosinski’s earlier directing credits but, more recently, he’s dazzled audiences with the box office hits Top Gun: Maverick and F1.

This isn’t the first time Miami Vice has been adapted for the big screen, as Michael Mann helmed a film remake that was released in 2006. Mann’s movie saw Jamie Foxx and Colin Farrell take on the roles of Tubbs and Crockett, respectively. While the action flick didn’t make much of an impression at the box office and wasn’t well received critically, it has gained a bit of a cult following in recent years.

Let’s hope it’s not too long before Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler close their deals for this upcoming reboot. Should this project come to fruition with them at the helm, I firmly believe Universal will be in a position to make copious amounts of money at the box office.

While fans wait for more updates on Miami Vice, they should check out the 2025 movie schedule to stay in the know about flicks headed to cinemas before the end of the year.

After the success of A Complete Unknown, Jeremy Allen White is next in line to take on the challenge of playing a rock legend for a biopic, and fans are anxiously awaiting to see whether or not he pulls it off. The Bear star is to portray as Bruce Springsteen in a musical biopic titled Deliver Me From Nowhere, set to release in theaters October 24 on the 2025 movie schedule. However, White opted not to seek advice from his fellow actors like Timothée Chalamet and Austin Butler in this category, and I’m curious to see if his reason why pays off.

The Shameless actor recently addressed the fact that he didn’t reach out to his fellow actors for advice on making his performance stand out among the many upcoming musical biopics. While talking to the award-winning Chalamet seems like a no brainer, White told Variety there was one reason why he didn’t feel the need to:

We know from past films that preparing for a biopic role is an intense process, especially when depicting beloved musical visionaries. There’s already a fanbase that needs to be catered to, but more importantly, a real person’s life that you are honoring. Actors have gone to all lengths to get it right, like Austin Butler’s method acting, which led to him talking with an Elvis Presley accent for years following filming. Then there's Timothée Chalamet learning to sing and play guitar exactly like Bob Dylan, so much so that his castmates couldn't tell the difference.

Butler, Chalamet, and Malek (who played Queen's Freddie Mercury) have all gone through it to much success, and I’m sure they would have provided helpful tips. After talking with Butler on the set of their new A24 film Enemies, White seemingly regrets not asking.

But this isn’t the After Everything actor first foray into biopics, having portrayed one of the Von Erich brothers in The Iron Claw. Besides, I think his idea of just consulting himself and the “Thunder Road” singer for the role makes sense given the story director Scott Cooper is trying to tell.

Similar to A Complete Unknown, Deliver Me From Nowhere opts to share a specific snippet of Bruce Springsteen’s career instead of trying to tell his whole life story in two hours. The upcoming biopic centers around the making of Nebraska, an album “The Boss” made by himself, alone at home in New Jersey. Sandwiched between heightened moments in his career, Nebraska is a folkier acoustic sound with darker themes compared to Springsteen's other music, and an album he seemingly held very close to his chest.

Much like Springsteen making Nebraska, Jeremy Allen White isolated himself in a way while making this film, only consulting with the one person who could really give him insight to this role. However, the Born In The USA singer admitted to staying home when scenes were more personal.

It’s a very unexpected take for a Springsteen biopic, but much like A Complete Unknown, it should make for a captivating film. White has seemingly put in the work to nail his portrayal of Bruce Springsteen, and has even gotten the stamp of approval from “The Boss” himself, as well as fellow biopic actor Austin Butler. First looks at Deliver Me From Nowhere already have me excited, and I can’t wait to see if White’s process earns him a spot among the best musical biopics.

Austin Butler has been defining his acting career by taking on transformative roles that he strives to push the limits of. Considering the famous actor started as a supporting character in non-challenging TV roles in Zoey 101, Life Unexpected, and Switched at Birth, his new chapter in film gives him the chance to show critics and audiences what he's made of. But would Butler put himself in the category of “method” actors? The Golden Globe winner gives his own honest answer that makes sense to me.

There are plenty of actors who go “method” to take themselves out of the character and fully embody the role. Jared Leto certainly did by trying out his creepy Joker laugh while walking around the streets, and Christian Bale made extreme weight losses and gains for his roles. After Austin Butler went to great lengths to play Elvis, he expressed to THR whether the word “method” applies to him:

The Caught Stealing actor makes a great point. It’s easy for any of us to label an actor’s dedication as going “method.” However, Austin Butler is just doing what any aspiring actor is taught—to “immerse” in the role.

The long-term effects of playing The King had Butler heavily alter his voice for three years of prep work, and he was rushed to the hospital after his body shut down when filming wrapped up. Even for teaming up with Darren Aronofsky for Caught Stealing, the Carrie Diaries actor performed his own stunts, like slamming into a wooden table and allowing himself to get beaten up. But Butler had a different word to describe his technique that’s relatable:

We all have obsessive tendencies when we try to give a top-notch performance in anything we do. But if anything, one can argue that Austin Butler really wants to make sure he puts as much of his efforts into a role that will please anyone watching. Another word I'd pick is "perfectionist." However, his genuine desire to honor his movie and the characters he portrays continues to be performances worthy of applause.

Austin Butler may see himself more as “obsessive” with his craft compared to “method.” But that obsession is what sets him apart from other new stars on the rise by refusing to give dull performances. I'd like to think the leading man would agree that if you choose to dive into uncharted waters, you might as well go all in. You can see Butler give yet another memorable performance in the 2025 movie release of Caught Stealing in theaters now.

Spoilers for Caught Stealing are ahead! Read with caution, and see this 2025 movie schedule entry in theaters now.

I don’t know about you, but the second I walked out of my screening for Caught Stealing, the first thing I wanted to know was: “Did Austin Butler really shave his hair into a mohawk for the final scene?” Well, now the Oscar-nominated actor has addressed that, while also sharing his thoughts on what it was like to go through this hair transformation as production wrapped on this book-to-screen adaptation of Charlie Huston’s novel.

Now, the reason why I wanted to know if Austin Butler really shaved his head was because for a single scene in the film, he had a botched mohawk as he pretended to be Matt Smith’s mohawk-rocking, punk rock neighbor, Russ. Butler’s character, Hank, had to steal Russ's identity and look because he was escaping New York after the disastrous events he found himself in, and he needed to pretend to be someone else.

So, he shaved his hair into a mohawk, rocked all the leather and studded clothing he could find, grabbed his cat, and put on a fake British accent. It’s a jarring look, but a necessary one for him to get out of the States. Butler really committed to it too, as he told EW the following about shaving his head:

It is a very dramatic change that Butler would have to deal with. While he was working on Dune: Part 2, he wore a bald cap to play Feyd-Rautha, which wasn’t “glamorous” considering the heat. However, it also wasn’t permanent. What he did for Caught Stealing was, in a sense, because he couldn’t just go back to his normal hair. He had to live it really short for a while.

However, the Elvis actor ended up really loving it, as he said:

Honestly, after all the intensity that is Caught Stealing, I bet it was freeing to totally change his look and close out this chapter that way. He confirmed that too, as he explained how he and the film’s director, Darren Aronofsky, celebrated the end of production:

This is such a fun way to end a production and close out a big chapter. Caught Stealing is an action-packed movie that was physically demanding. Butler went through the wringer and got injured making it, and getting to close it out in a tropical location with a new haircut feels like the breath of fresh air that was probably needed.

So, to bring it all back around to the question, yes, Austin Butler did shave his head for this movie.

Overall, the Caught Stealing’s reviews have been solid, with critics specifically praising Butler’s performance. He really committed to the role, and even shaved his hair for it, and you can see all that hard work and hair transformation on the big screen now.

The latest Austin Butler movie, Caught Stealing, hit the 2025 movie schedule this weekend, and it did something that I didn’t expect: it made me nostalgic. I am not, by nature, particularly nostalgic. In fact, all the throwbacks to Gen X culture lately have driven me a little nuts, even as a member of that generation. However, the new movie, directed by Darren Aronofsky, had me wistfully remembering my years living in the East Village, right around the time that Caught Steaming is set, 1998.

Alphabet City And Dive Bars

Bulter plays Hank Thompson, a former baseball player (with a nice butt) whose potential career in the pros was sidelined by a knee injury. Hank is working as a bartender in a very typical East Village dive in the late ‘90s. He’s clearly lost, drifting through his city life while remaining distant from the woman he’s dating, played by Zoe Kravitz. It was an existence I knew all too well as someone who moved to New York City in 1999, one year after the movie was set, and spent a lot of my time in the same kind of dive bars.

Eventually, I moved to the East Village from Midtown and lived a couple of blocks away from Avenue A. Alphabet City was still a little seedy, a little sketchy, but it was also on its way to what it is now, which is much cleaner, but much less exciting. Living down there wasn’t as expensive as it is today, but it wasn’t cheap, either. Finding bars that served cheap beer where I could befriend the bartender and score a free drink or two was important. Hank’s bar in Caught Stealing perfectly represents that kind of place. It’s like I already knew it well.

One Brief Scene Really Got Me

In one scene, Hank is seen walking along Avenue A and goes past where the original location of the legendary Kim’s Video was located near 6th Street. For the movie, Aronofsky recreated the iconic sign that hung above the entrance, and in one brief moment, summed up life in the East Village at the time.

Now, when I lived in the East Village, Kim’s had moved a couple of storefronts down from the original location, and the mini-chain had moved the bulk of its collection to what was its most iconic location, Kim’s Mondo on St. Mark’s Street, a few blocks away. The location I knew best, located at 85 Avenue A, was two doors down from where it’s seen in the movie. I used to drink in the basement at a bar called Route 85A. The bartender was a good friend, Michael Hogan, an actor who was most recently seen as the bartender, Mark, in Paradise, which you can watch with a Hulu subscription.

The reason it worked here for me is that nostalgia wasn’t the goal of the movie. That’s what I could use more of, not rehashing my youth with cheap shortcuts like so much of recent nostalgia.

SPOILER WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for Caught Stealing. If you have not yet seen the film, proceed at your own risk!

Throughout Caught Stealing, Austin Butler's Hank Thompson makes a regular habit of calling his mom to make sure she know that he is ok, and in addition to being a sweet aspect of the movie that adds to Hank as a character, it also sets up an amazing cameo. While we never see who the protagonist is talking to on the other side of the line, the actress is revealed in the film's end credit sequence, and it turns out to be none other than the wonderful Laura Dern.

It's a terrific surprise at the end of Caught Stealing – but there is a wonderful bonus surprise to be discovered as well. It turns out that while they've never previously been in a movie or TV show together, Austin Butler and Laura Dern have been friends for years, and that helped lay the groundwork for the latter playing the former's mom in the new 2025 movie. CinemaBlend's Hannah Saulic asked about the special cameo while interviewing Darren Aronofsky earlier this month during the Los Angeles press day for the film, and he explained the past connection between the two actors:

It's perfect casting in all respects. In the movie, Hank has nobody closer to him in his life than his mom, even though she lives 3,000 miles away in California. They talk everyday and have a connection not only as mother and son but as die-hard fans of the San Francisco Giants. While Laura Dern is never shown while she is on the phone, the Caught Stealing mid-credits sequence sees her receive a package from her son in the mail that contains millions of dollars in cash.

After learning about the special connection between Austin Butler and the Jurassic Park star, Hannah followed up by asking the actor about the relationship when she had the chance to talk with him during the press day (where he was paired with co-star Zoë Kravitz), and he explained how she has been a wonderful part of his life in the last few years. Said Butler,

In recent years, Austin Butler has spoken about the fact that his mother passed away from cancer in 2014, when he was 23 years old, and it had an understandable emotional impact on him. In his time getting to know Laura Dern, he has found a special relationship, and he mentioned in our Caught Stealing interview that Dern even physically reminds him of his mom. He and Zoë Kravitz had a sweet back-and-forth about it, as captured in the video at the top of this article:

• Austin Butler: My mother used to always be told she looks like Laura Dern.
• Zoë Kravitz Really?
• Austin Butler: Yeah.
• Zoë Kravitz: Aww, man.
• Austin Butler: So when anybody would talk to my mom, they’d say, “You know, you look just like Laura Dern.”
• Zoë Kravitz: That’s crazy!
• Austin Butler: Isn't that wild?
• Zoë Kravitz: Yeah.
• Austin Butler: So all these years later, I got to actually tell that to Laura. And now she's like this, like, pseudo mom to me
• Zoë Kravitz: Aw, I love that.

It adds a terrific extra layer to what is already a great cameo in a super fun movie (as I detail in my Caught Stealing CinemaBlend review).

Adapted from the book of the same name by Charlie Huston and also starring Matt Smith, D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Regina King, Griffin Dunne, Liev Schreiber, and Vincent D'Onofrio, Caught Stealing is now playing in theaters everywhere.

Few directors have messed with my mind more than Darren Aronofsky. From Requiem for a Dream to Mother!, we’ve gone to some dark places over the years. For his contribution to the 2025 movie calendar, however, the filmmaker may be going down a slightly different path with Caught Stealing. Critics have seen the crime thriller, which has Austin Butler dominating an overall impressive cast, and surprisingly, the word “scuzzy” comes up more than once.

Caught Stealing is an adaptation of the book of the same name by Charlie Huston (who also wrote the screenplay). At the center of the movie is Hank Thompson (Austin Butler), a retired baseball player who finds himself in the middle of New York City’s criminal network in the 1990s. In CinemaBlend’s review of Caught Stealing, Eric Eisenberg says the movie teeters on being derivative but ultimately delivers a mystery that combines thrills and fun. He rates it 3.5 out of 5 stars, writing:

CinemaBlend’s critic also notes that the entire cast is having a lot of fun with their roles, but Austin Butler shines the brightest. That sentiment is shared by Rolling Stones’ David Fear, who praises the cast — particularly Liev Schreiber and Vincent D’Onofrio’s Drucker brothers — but this one is all about Butler proving that he is now a bona fide leading man. Fear continues:

Caryn James of THR calls Caught Stealing an “entertaining, twisty and ultimately bloody caper,” writing:

Peter Debruge of Variety is one of several critics who note how important New York City is as a backdrop to Hank’s story, accentuating the wide range of cultures and personalities that reside there. Debruge calls Caught Stealing a “scuzzy misfit of a movie,” saying maybe it’s not as much of a departure from his other works as it first appears. The critic continues:

It’s not a clean sweep, critics-wise, as IndieWire’s Kate Erbland gives the movie a C+, saying it’s a swing and a miss for this “scuzzy and off-kilter” crime thriller. The final act comes together as what Darren Aronofsky seemed to be attempting, but until then, it just doesn’t pop. Erbland says:

Overall, critics seem to like what Darren Aronofsky has done, and Austin Butler just continues to prove himself. It holds a Certified Fresh 87% on Rotten Tomatoes (an impressive 85% on the Popcornmeter). Could it lead to Oscar nods for the Caught Stealing cast or crew come awards season? Time will tell, and this movie is in theaters now.

There is plenty of intensity in Darren Aronofsky's Caught Stealing, as the protagonist in the story finds himself unwittingly caught in the middle of a dangerous conflict including cops, criminals, and a missing stash of $3 million in cash – but there is also plenty of fun as well (a terrific change from the norm for Aronofsky, as I note in my CinemaBlend review of the new film). In addition to featuring slick action and clever dialogue, the 2025 movie also features some tremendous on-screen chemistry between stars Austin Butler and Zoë Kravitz, and that's perfectly exemplified in a bedroom scene where they race to see which of them can strip down first.

It's not only a great bit in the movie, as CinemaBlend's own Hannah Saulic recently found out during the Los Angeles press day for Caught Stealing that it inspired some healthy competition between the actors. "Winning" isn't actually a big deal for the characters Yvonne and Hank, but Kravitz and Butler both made a sincere effort to out-strip the other on set. As captured in the video above, they had a great back and forth together about it during the junket:

• Zoë Kravitz: I feel like it was genuinely competitive.
• Austin Butler: It was very competitive.
• Zoë Kravitz: Yeah. Yeah.
• Austin Butler: I also was holding a beer and I had a hat.
• Zoë Kravitz: Oh my God. I had a cigarette, I had a lit cigarette.
• Austin Butler: You’re splitting hairs here.
• Zoë Kravitz: Shirt over the head. Lit cigarette.
• Austin Butler: Yeah, that was pretty impressive. Did you keep it in your mouth? How’d you do that?
• Zoë Kravitz: Yes.
• Austin Butler: You kept it in your mouth when you took the shirt off?
• Zoë Kravitz: Yes, doggy. Yes!
• Austin Butler: Wow. That's impressive. That’s very impressive.

I love that even months after production wrapped, they are still debating the race and deciding which of them had the biggest handicap as they worked to remove their clothes. Having seen Caught Stealing this week, I can confirm that they both recount the scene well, as Austin Butler had to contend with holding a beer and wearing a hat while Zoë Kravitz had the challenge of handing a lit cigarette.

In the finished film, it's worth noting that there isn't any real debate between the characters about who manages to take off their clothes the fastest (instead, the impromptu race is more of a lead in to the characters having sex). But just because Yvonne and Hank weren't making that a focus doesn't mean that the stars weren't paying attention:

• Austin Butler: She didn't win all the time. I sort of let her win on the…
• Zoë Kravitz: Well, it was…no, it wasn’t scripted who won.
• Austin Butler: Was it not scripted that way?
• Zoë Kravitz: I don’t think it said who won. It was a genuine, yeah.
• Austin Butler: Yeah. But it was a competition as you can see… because we’re still debating about it.

While the editing and the performances leave it up to the viewer who wins the race, you'll be able to make a judgement call of your own when Caught Stealing arrives in theaters this Friday, August 29.

Not only did Austin Butler team up with Darren Aronofsky for their movie Caught Stealing, but he shared some steamy scenes with Zoë Kravitz, who plays his girlfriend in the crime-thriller. But is there anything more going on between the two off-screen? Well, Butler was seen getting a little flirty with his co-star about her “chocolate” eyes, and that’s certainly not going to help the rumor mill at all.

When Zoë Kravitz attended the New York premiere of the upcoming book adaptation, giving A-level noughties with her little black skirt and top, she was all smiles with Butler on the red carpet. But does the on-screen chemistry between the two exist when the cameras are off? After all, there are rumors that they're dating.

While speaking to MTV UK, it seemed like the two co-stars were “caught stealing” some glances and bantering while guessing each other’s eye color. While the Divergent actress described her co-star’s as a “dangerous” blue, here was the Elvis actor’s swoonworthy answer about Kravitz’s eyes that’s not gonna help the rumors that they might be dating at all:

The Batman actress sure looked pretty satisfied with that answer. And the Golden Globe winner has apparently spoken to her about her eyes before. I would be blushing too if anyone described my eyes as something delectable. No wonder Butler was cast as The King. He really does know how to make the ladies melt with that sultry voice and charisma of his. And I have to assume this isn't going to help quell the chatter that the pair of actors is actually dating.

There may be a bit of a snag that can put a stop to those rumors, though. After Zoë Kravitz and Channing Tatum called off their wedding in October, her latest alleged romantic entanglement was reported a few days ago when she was seen with Harry Styles. People reported (via Deuxmoi) that the two were seen kissing at Rita’s in London after a promotional event for Caught Stealing.

A fan also posted the day before about the pair being in Rome and walking down the street with Kravitz’s arm wrapped around the singer’s. Despite People’s source claiming that they’ve allegedly been spending time together during the crime movie’s press run, nothing has been confirmed or denied between the two celebs.

Harry Styles wasn’t the only A-lister that the High Fidelity actress has been around this year. On February 13th, Kravitz spent time with To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before’s Noah Centineo, as they were seen leaving Danielle Haim’s birthday party together in New York City. They were also seen a month later, leaving an L.A. bar, and then again in NYC in May. With these high-profile outings, it’s unclear if Kravitz is actually dating any of them.

The Caught Stealing co-stars haven’t confirmed or denied that they’re dating, either, but Austin Butler saying Zoë Kravitz’s eyes are like “chocolate” can make anyone wonder. Until the moment comes when the record is set straight, we can still gush at the two’s sweet off-screen exchanges. Feel free to watch their on-screen chemistry in their 2025 movie release in theaters on August 29th.

Rumors and celebrity go together like nothing else, with famous folk being a hot topic of conversation for nearly everything they do (or could do). As the 2025 movie schedule prepares to bring us Darren Aronofsky’s latest film, Caught Stealing, star Austin Butler has just revealed that the rumors which floated around about his butt in the movie are completely true.

What Did Austin Butler Say About His Caught Stealing Booty?

When people talk celeb gossip, topics like who they’re dating, feuding and working with frequently come up, but so do things like their bodies. Oscar-nominee Austin Butler has long since moved on from his Elvis starring gig to roles in movies like Dune: Part 2 and another book-to-screen adaptation, Caught Stealing.

The film will see him portray a former baseball player who gets wrapped up in New York’s criminal underworld after cat-sitting for a neighbor, and the talk going around was that Butler was encouraged to develop his gluteus maximus to baseball player bubble-dom for the role. When speaking with Entertainment Tonight recently, he was asked if he and his trainer really “worked on getting that baseball player booty just right,” and whether or not the director actually sent him photos of butts for inspiration. He replied:

Well, I suppose we should just call him Austin Butt-ler, amirite? (I had to, it’s right there!) It’s worth noting that the actor is known for his commitment when playing roles like Elvis Presley (and we all remember how hard it was for him to shake that accent), so it makes a lot of sense that a request from Aronofsky as simple as pumping up his hind quarters would be an easy one.

When watching the clip, I couldn’t help butt notice (sorry) that the actor (who’s next starring in one of the upcoming A24 movies, Enemies, with Jeremy Allen White) seemed a bit bashful when speaking of his booty transformation. Though the Caught Stealing trailer doesn’t show off his hard work in that area, there are a few spicy scenes where the full film may make it possible for fans to enjoy his dedication to his craft in a whole new way.

It was just a few days ago that the star’s trainer revealed how he’s gotten into “peak shape” for his films, and it includes a lot of running, cycling and squatting to help define what appears to be every muscle in the former child actor’s body. Luckily, the game plan is to focus on “strength and longevity” when it comes to his training and diet, so that nothing he does to transform physically for his roles will negatively affect his health.

You know what’s also lucky? That the star listened to his director and upped his game when it came to firming up that butt, and viewers will get to enjoy the fruits of that labor on August 29.

My relationship with the works of Darren Aronofsky is much different than the relationships I have with all of my other favorite modern directors. I celebrate those latter filmmakers by buying all of their movies in various physical media formats and making a habit of rewatching them, but I’ve never been able to do that with Aronofsky. I’ve been fascinated by his talents ever since I saw Pi when I was in high school, and I’ve been wowed by his entire filmography… but it’s rare that I can bear more than one viewing. I know I will never own a copy of Requiem For A Dream because there is a zero percent chance of me ever watching it again.

This is the nice bonus of Caught Stealing. After spending the better part of three decades becoming a master of bleak cinema, Aronofsky’s adaptation of Charlie Huston’s novel of the same name is a refreshing change of pace tonally, and it showcases a new dimension of his tremendous skills. There’s no question that it still has its dark moments, from which it’s able to develop its character arcs and intense stakes, but the filmmaker allows himself to be a bit slick and cool while unfurling his comedic neo-noir thriller full of colorful personalities.

Only further solidifying Austin Butler as leading man material, the Elvis star plays Hank Thompson: a former talented baseball prospect whose destiny was changed to serving drinks at a New York dive bar after a car accident shattered his dreams. Albeit a functional alcoholic, he lives a relatively happy life and has a blossoming romance with an EMT named Yvonne (Zoë Kravitz) – but everything in his world becomes chaos after he acquiesces to an innocuous cat-sitting request from his punker neighbor Russ (Matt Smith), who is dealing with a family emergency.

Hank, who describes himself as more of a dog person, isn’t particularly fond of the feline, but cat bites and fur on his bed becomes the least of his problems when a pair of Russian mobsters (Yuri Kolokolnikov, Nikita Kukushkin) visits his building and end up savagely beating him because of his association with Russ. Following a brief stay in the hospital, he reaches out to a detective (Regina King) who leaves her card with his doctors, and he discovers that he has been accidentally roped into a cartel conflict between the Russians, a criminally connected Brighton Beach club owner (Benito A Martínez Ocasio), and a pair of Hasidic gangsters (Liev Schreiber, Vincent D’Onofrio).

Not all of the story ingredients are super fresh, but Caught Stealing delivers a mystery that blends thrills and fun.

With an extra boost from 1998 setting, Caught Stealing is narratively reminiscent of movies you’d see in the filmographies of Shane Black, Guy Ritchie, or Joel and Ethan Coen, and while it wouldn’t be viewed as the sharpest, best, or most original work coming from those creative minds, it has some engaging and fun tricks up its sleeve. The various trailers for the movie unfortunately give away the answer to one of the bigger questions pushing the story forward (namely why it is that Russ has a target on his back), but Charlie Huston consistently keeps other irons in the fire that keep things interesting – setting up other mysteries that radiate from some shocking twists and keeping the audience questioning who in the ensemble of characters can be trusted.

Not every swing is successful, as the movie ends up using more than a couple well-used tropes in propelling Hank’s dark adventure through the crime world of New York in the late 1990s. It teeters on being too derivative, but it’s ultimately able to coast thanks to the film’s style and the talent involved.

The whole cast is having a lot of fun, but it’s Austin Butler’s turn that anchors the film.

Having directed multiple actors to Oscar-nominated/winning performances, Darren Aronofsky stuffing Caught Stealing with on-screen talent is far from a surprise (on top of having the expansive cast, there are a number of fun cameos as well) – and while not everyone has the opportunity to play with a wide array of dimensions, they have vivid personalities to bridge the gap. Scene-stealers include Matt Smith, who brings the mohawk-sporting Russ to life with a shocking and entertaining range of emotions, and Nikita Kukushkin, as the off-the-charts weird Russian enforcer Microbe, but at the end of the day, this is principally an extension of Austin Butler’s on-going spotlight moment.

From his work as a Manson-influenced killer to the King Of Rock and Roll to a sadistic intergalactic fascist, Butler has spent recent years impressing with his range, and Caught Stealing continues that trend as he is able to bring his impressive charisma to what is a much more down-to-earth part. As a character, Hank is smart, capable, likable, and flawed, all of which make him compelling as he tries to escape his deadly predicament, and Butler perfectly plays all of the highs and lows of emotion that strike along the way.

While still working with some grisly material, Darren Aronofsky shows a flair for action and period storytelling – demonstrating smart comedic timing as well.

Having Butler as his lead allows Darren Aronofsky to properly explore the darker sides of his sensibilities, as Hank is haunted by the traumatic accident that devastated his career in addition to dealing with the nightmare of happenstance that has abducted his life, but there is also a clear intention in the work for the director to do something new. Between Hank leading a bar sing-a-long to Meredith Brooks’ “Bitch,” nimble chases through the streets of New York, and Russ’ adorable cat playing a key supporting role in the whole ordeal, there is a pursuit of fun that doesn’t interrupt the drama. Aronofsky makes skilled use of the story’s time and place (in addition to its soundtrack full of 1990s hits, I, as a New York Mets fan, particularly love a sequence that sees characters racing through crowds at the now-gone Shea Stadium), and collaboration with cinematographer Matthew Libatique and editor Andrew Weisblum yields a thrilling collection of dynamic action beats.

Within the full spectrum of Darren Aronofsky’s directorial canon, Caught Stealing is a title that rates toward the middle of the pack – but that more than anything speaks to the exceptional quality of his other works, and it’s nonetheless refreshing to see him take on something so different. It doesn’t dig down to extreme emotional depths like Requiem For A Dream, The Wrestler, Black Swan or The Whale, but that’s counterbalanced by it being a cool, occasionally sexy, fun diversion.

Austin Butler’s career is going nowhere but up. As a former child star known for playing supporting characters on TV shows, wowing everyone in Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis biopic certainly turned him into a leading man. So, in order to be in “peak shape” for Hollywood, Butler’s trainer showed off videos of the shirtless actor working out, and it’s the gift that keeps on giving.

Considering the great lengths Austin Butler went through to portray The King, it should be no surprise that he’d do the same thing to get ripped for roles. After wrapping up the upcoming book-to-screen adaptation of Caught Stealing, trainer Roy Chan posted on Instagram a video of the Golden Globe winner getting in “peak shape” for the upcoming A24 movie Enemies. I’ve gotta say, what you’re about to watch is the stuff dreams are made of:

I don’t know about you, but I’m getting some serious Wolverine vibes watching the Once Upon a Time…In Hollywood actor getting fit. He’s lifting and shredding it on that cycling machine like it’s no one’s business.

But, of course, I'm most impressed by his six-pack. To quote a Crazy, Stupid, Love line, it’s like he’s “photoshopped!” Those 14 weeks did Austin Butler well. Roy Chan got real in his Instagram caption about why fitness was so important to his client for his next movie too, writing:

It’s a good thing that Austin Butler is choosing to focus on his health, considering the scares he went through while filming his movies. After wrapping Elvis, the BAFTA winner was hospitalized after waking up in the middle of the night in “excruciating pain.” At the hospital, Butler was diagnosed with a virus that mimicked appendicitis and was bedridden for a week.

Also, the talented actor experienced temporary blindness while shooting The Bikeriders, per Men's Health, which he concluded could have come from sleep deprivation. With these health scares behind him, the Masters of the Air actor is making the right call, prioritizing his health so he can deliver powerful performances for years to come. Plus, his good looks that come from it are always a treat for us to see too.

If you want to know just how dedicated the Zoey 101 actor is to his flawless physique, Men’s Health reported Butler had been training six to seven days a week for Enemies. His diet consisted of omelets, chicken kebabs, and occasionally steak. Instead of going straight to bed after filming was over, the award-winning actor would choose to go to the gym, hit the treadmill, relax in the sauna, and then go to sleep after a cold shower. Butler’s commitment to his fitness regimen proves that his dedication goes far beyond his work on-screen.

In Butler’s upcoming crime film, Enemies, he and Jeremy Allen White are in a cat-and-mouse game with a detective pursuing a fugitive contract killer. According to his interview, the Dune: Part Two actor will be portraying the antagonist fugitive contract killer. If he’s going to be like a threatening force against The Bear star, he’s gotta have the body to match.

My jaw was on the floor seeing how ripped Austin Butler looked training for Enemies. He’s an example of a truly devoted actor and human being for pushing his body to the limit for his roles and to live a full life. Make sure to see Butler give it his all in the 2025 movie release of Caught Stealing in theaters on August 29th.

Austin Butler has gone toe-to-toe with Elvis Presley’s legacy, played a murderous biker in 2024’s The Bikeriders, and embodied Feyd-Rautha in Dune: Part Two. But in 2019, he was cast in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, where he squared off against none other than Brad Pitt. For The Dead Don’t Die actor, who grew up on the best ‘90s movies like Fight Club, the chance to spar with “Tyler Durden” himself felt like a dream come true. The reality of filming that sequence, however, came with a painful reminder of just how intense Pitt really is — and how dangerous a certain pitbull could be on set.

In a recent interview with Men’s Health’s YouTube channel, Butler broke down the process of tackling stunt-heavy roles in projects such as Caught Stealing, The Bikeriders, Dune: Part Two, and, of course, Quentin Tarantino’s Hollywood epic. Reflecting on the climactic brawl, he described what it was like to go toe-to-toe with Fight Club’s iconic brawler, Brad Pitt:

The actor, 34, recalled the bloody climax where his character, Tex Watson, faces off against Brad Pitt’s Cliff Booth and Booth’s loyal pit bull, Brandy. The Elvis star revealed that to prepare, the stunt team wrapped his hand in leather so the 80-pound dog could safely bite down. But during one rehearsal, the pitbull clamped on with enough force to tear his rotator cuff. He continued:

For the actual shoot, the Eddington actor switched to his right arm, while his stunt double, Braxton McAllister, took over for the most painful beats of the sequence, including Brandy’s jaw-dropping attack on Tex’s groin.

Few endings in recent memory have been as wild and cathartic as Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. The 2019 film closes with an alternate-history twist on the infamous Manson Family murders, sending four of Charles Manson’s followers, including Austin Butler’s Tex Watson, to the home of Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt). What follows is pure Tarantino excess, as the would-be killers are destroyed in a brutal, cartoonishly violent showdown.

That choice left Tex with a terribly violent beating. And while Cliff Booth was the primary punisher, he had help from his pitbull, Brandy, and Butler still bears the scars of that collaboration.

Butler’s showdown with Pitt and Brandy was shortened for story reasons, but even a brief clash with Cliff Booth was more than memorable. After all, Pitt’s role in Fight Club as Tyler Durden has been etched into pop culture for decades, and the Dune veteran admits that just sharing the screen in a fight sequence with him was a dream come true.

Now, both actors have moved forward and taken part in even more action. Austin Butler’s most recent work, Ari Aster’s neo-noir western Eddington, already hit the 2025 movie release schedule, and Caught Stealing lands in theaters on August 29th. And if you want to revisit Pitt’s iconic Fight Club, you can stream it with a Hulu subscription.

When it comes to films about musicians, few upcoming music biopics have cinephiles quite as excited as Jeremy Allen White’s turn as Bruce Springsteen in Deliver Me from Nowhere. Ahead of the film hitting the 2025 release schedule, first looks have shown White transforming himself into “The Boss,” and his performance already looks stellar. Fellow musical biopic leading man Austin Butler, of Elvis fame, recently revealed he’s already gotten to check out the movie ahead of its release.

Butler's been doing press for Darren Aronofsky's next film, Caught Stealing, which he stars in alongside Zoë Kravitz. Next up, he'll star in the A24 crime film Enemies with Jeremy Allen White, and in a new The Tonight Show clip, he admitted he's already had the privilege of checking out White’s performance as Bruce Springsteen. In fact, the actor was pretty complimentary, though he may have stepped across some boundaries saying so.

Coming from the Bikeriders star, this is pretty high praise. Not many performances have gotten quite the amount of positive attention in the last few years that Butler’s dedicated transformation into Elvis Presley for Baz Luhrmann’s 2022 film did. The actor truly became the music superstar, and I felt he was pretty unrecognizable in the role. It’s a pretty ostentatious, maximalist production, but Butler somehow is able to stand out amidst all of it, and watching the performance is truly breathtaking. For him to acknowledge another actor's prowess in taking on a similar task is a true compliment.

When it comes to starring in musical biopics, Jeremy Allen White has some big shoes to fill. Not only is he playing one of the most beloved iconic musicians of all time, but musical biopics have been a place for actors to truly shine over the last several years.

Famously, Rami Malek won the Oscar for playing Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody and Timothée Chalamet was recognized by SAG for his critically acclaimed turn as Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown last year. Not to dismiss Taron Egerton in Rocketman, either.

Butler also revealed in his interview that a lot of these actors have discussed these endeavors with each other and offered some guidance, so I guess biopic actors have almost their own community, which is pretty sweet.

If I wasn’t already excited enough to see White as Springsteen, this Butler endorsement has me even more hyped. The film is set to cover the recording of the Nebraska album, a pivotable moment in Springsteen’s early career. White has already proven his talent in shows like Shameless and The Bear, and films like The Iron Claw truly expanded his range. Also supporting performances by acting heavy-hitters like Jeremy Strong and Paul Walter Hauser make Deliver Me From Nowhere even more of an exciting prospect. I have a feeling we will be talking about this one all throughout Oscar season.

It will be a while before fans will get to see Austin Butler and Jeremy Allen White together in Enemies considering the movie isn’t set to come out until next year. However, you will be able to see White in Deliver Me From Nowhere very soon, as the movie will be in theaters nationwide on October 24th, 2025. You can also see Butler in his latest film, Caught Stealing, when it heads to the big screen on August 29th.

They say that seeing is believing... but we also can't always believe what we see. Case in point: a recent video that went viral from the Eddington red carpet during the Cannes Film Festival, which saw stars Emma Stone, Austin Butler and Pedro Pascal temporarily harassed by a bee. Watching the clip, one might get the impression that Butler is using his breath to blow the bee toward his co-star's face, but that is a take on the situation that Stone has amusingly and vehemently denied.

With Eddington (the latest film from filmmaker Ari Aster) set to be released by A24 on July 18, Emma Stone popped by Jimmy Kimmel Live! this week for a sit down with guest host Diego Luna, and among the subjects discussed was the aforementioned viral video. The Andor star suggested to the actress that Austin Butler was making a specific effort to get the buzzing insect to fly into her face by blowing it in her direction, but Stone refused that idea because she doesn't believe that action fits Butler's disposition. Said the two-time Oscar winner,

From the Charles Manson cultist Tex in Once Upon A Time In Hollywood to the ready-to-rumble Benny in The Bikeriders to the sadistic Feyd-Rautha in Dune: Part II, Austin Butler has a history of playing dark and shady characters on the big screen at this point in his career – but Emma Stone's thoughts suggest that his performances don't represent his personality. He play be able to play dark and evil well, but he isn't the kind of guy who would intentionally try and get someone stung by an insect.

Doubling down, Diego Luna comedically suggested that Austin Butler not only tried to blow the bee in Emma Stone's direction, but that he even brought it with him to the carpet. Not only did Stone refute that idea, but she even went as far as to suggest that there was someone else present far more likely to unleash that kind of nefarious plot: Pedro Pascal. Said Stone,

Pedro Pascal got a lot of nice attention from seeming to help protect Emma Stone from the bee... but could it all have been a setup for a taste of internet glory?!?! Conspiracy theorists: perhaps you should look into this.

If you haven't seen the video for yourself, you can check it out in the Instagram post down below:

On a more serious note, audiences will soon get to see Emma Stone, Pedro Pascal and Austin Butler on the big screen together in Eddington – part of a terrific ensemble cast that also includes Joaquin Phoenix, Deirdre O'Connell, and Luke Grimes. The movie, the third feature from the director of Hereditary, Midsommar and Beau Is Afraid, is set during the summer of 2020 and focuses on a small town in New Mexico where the local sheriff (Phoenix) decides that he is going to run against the mayor (Pascal) in an upcoming election.

You'll be able to catch it in theaters this July – and stay tuned here on CinemaBlend for our interviews with Ari Aster and the cast. In the meantime, as the warm weather continues, be sure to look out for buzzing bees.

Some of the most extraordinary performances in movie or TV history have seen the actor completely disappear into a role, not only changing their appearance but also adopting a voice almost entirely different from their own. Take a look at some of the most impressive voice alterations that an actor took on to perfect their unique portrayal of a now iconic character (or characters).

Robert De Niro (Cape Fear)

One thing that makes the 1991 remake of Cape Fear one of the most amusing Martin Scorsese/Robert De Niro collaborations is the actor's approach to playing Max Cady. The Academy Award-winning Italian-American dons a thick, over-the-top Southern accent but is still no less chilling as the sadistic, recently released convict seeking revenge on the defense attorney (Nick Nolte) who put him away.

Lupita Nyong'o (Us)

One of the scariest modern horror movie villains is Red (Lupita Nyong'o) from writer and director Jordan Peele's 2019 sophomore feature, Us. The Academy Award winner brilliantly differentiates the vengeful, "tethered" person from her above-ground double, Adelaide, and gives her an even more unsettling presence, with a raspy voice inspired by a condition called spasmodic dysphonia, which inhibits airflow and is commonly a symptom of traumatic experiences.

Daniel Day-Lewis (Lincoln)

As he would with any other role, Daniel Day-Lewis went to great lengths to become the sixteenth President of the United States for his Oscar-winning performance in Steven Spielberg's 2012 biopic, Lincoln. He even made sure to match Honest Abe's voice, which was high-pitched and reedy (according to the Library of Congress), as opposed to the low bellow many previous portrayals mistakenly attempted.

Mel Blanc (Looney Tunes)

To this day, it is almost shocking to learn that most of the original Looney Tunes characters were brought to life by just one actor. Until he passed away in 1989, Mel Blanc provided the diverse voices of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd, and plenty more favorites under the Warner Bros. animation umbrella.

Austin Butler (Elvis)

The key to portraying Elvis Presley is nailing his distinct Southern drawl, which Austin Butler went to great lengths to perfect when he was cast as the influential musician in Baz Luhrmann's 2022 biopic. The work he put into the voice seemed to have a lasting effect on the actor, whom audiences could not help but notice continued to speak in the same accent during public appearances.

Seth MacFarlane (Various)

In addition to being one of the creative forces behind two of TV's longest-running hit animated shows for grown-ups, Seth MacFarlane is also responsible for bringing many of their most important characters to life. He voices Peter, Stewie, and Quagmire on Family Guy and plays Stan and Roger on American Dad – all of whom require him to be completely unrecognizable, while Family Guy's Brian is no different from his real voice.

Catherine O’Hara (Schitt's Creek)

What makes Moira Rose (Catherine O'Hara) one of the funniest characters on Schitt's Creek is the way she pronounces certain words with her over-the-top, posh accent. Classic examples include "baby" (beh-beh) and "enchiladas" (ahn-chuh-lah-dahs).

Jim Carrey (How The Grinch Stole Christmas)

It is still sometimes hard to believe that it is Jim Carrey playing the title role in Ron Howard's live-action adaptation of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas from 2000. Not only is he covered head-to-toe with green skin and matching fur in the Christmas movie classic but the comedic mastermind disguises his voice with an accent that earned comparisons to Sean Connery, as he told Entertainment Weekly.

Eddie Murphy (Coming To America)

Eddie Murphy started a career staple of playing multiple roles in the same movie with 1988's Coming to America. He dons an African accent to play Prince Akeem and brings his voice to higher octaves as Randy Watson and Clarence, but he undergoes the most intensive alteration of both his appearance and voice when playing elderly barber shop patron, Saul.

Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight)

The Dark Knight is a superhero movie that won Oscars for Sound Editing and for Heath Ledger's astonishing, transformative performance as The Joker. No matter how many times you watch Christopher Nolan's acclaimed 2008 sequel to Batman Begins, it is always shocking to hear that wheezy, menacing voice coming from the late Australian actor.

Dan Castellaneta (The Simpsons)

If you have ever seen any of comedian Dan Castellaneta's live-action acting credits, it might shock you to learn that his most famous role is Homer Simpson. However, the Simpsons cast member provides the voice of plenty more characters than the infantile, Duff-swilling family man, including Grampa Simpson, Krusty the Clown, and Groundskeeper Willie.

Bill Skarsgård (Nosferatu)

Bill Skarsgård is no stranger to dramatically altering his appearance and his voice for the sake of scaring the living daylights out of audiences, having played Pennywise in back-to-back creepy clown movies, It and It Chapter Two. However, his transformation into Count Orlok for Robert Eggers' 2024 reimagining of Nosferatu was an even more challenging process, requiring a month-and-a-half of vocal training to perfect the vampire's dread-inducing growl.

Joaquin Phoenix (Walk The Line)

Joaquin Phoenix did all of his own singing when portraying Johnny Cash in James Mangold's acclaimed music biopic, 2005's Walk the Line. While appearing on Late Night with Conan O'Brien that year, the future Oscar winner told the late night talk show host that he worked with a dialect coach to replicate the Man in Black's deep baritone voice as authentically as possible.

Amanda Seyfried (The Dropout)

For her Emmy-winning performance on the Hulu original true crime miniseries, The Dropout, Amanda Seyfried had the challenge of imitating the infamous low voice of Elizabeth Holmes, the founder and CEO of the fraudulent blood-testing company Theranos.

Hugh Jackman (X-Men)

Many have been shocked to learn that Hugh Jackman is an Australian as his most famous role is the Canadian-native, Adamantium-clawed mutant, Wolverine. Of course, the Tony winner does more than just drop his natural accent for the X-Men movies but also incorporates a deep, nigh-animalistic growl.

Stephanie Beatriz (Brooklyn Nine-Nine)

When Stephanie Beatriz debuted in the Brooklyn Nine-Nine cast, she used her natural, higher-tone voice to play Det. Rosa Diaz. However, over time, the character's voice became progressively deeper until the actor settled on a low, more gruff tone that better suited the cop's hard-edged exterior.

Christian Bale (The Dark Knight Trilogy)

To play the lead in Christopher Nolan's beloved live-action Batman movies, Christian Bale pulled double-duty on changing his voice. In addition to dropping his Welsh accent when appearing as Bruce Wayne, he adopted a gravelly, identity-concealing growl when patrolling Gotham as the Dark Knight.

Kristen Stewart (Spencer)

Kristen Stewart did more to earn her Academy Award nomination for portraying Princess Diana in the 2021 biopic, Spencer, than donning a blonde hairdo and an English accent. The actor revealed to Howard Stern that she went so far as to dramatically evolve her vocal inflection by opening her mouth more widely than she normally would and, as a result, practically altered her physical appearance in the film.

Phil LaMarr (The Adventures Of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius)

Prolific voice actor Phil LaMarr, in addition to his transformative characters as a MADtv cast member, has made himself unrecognizable for countless iconic animated roles, such as John "Green Lantern" Stewart on Justice League or the title hero of Samurai Jack. However, no blip on his resume is nearly as surprising as the recurring role of foreign exchange student Bolbi Stroganofsky on Nickelodeon's The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius.

Mark Hamill (Batman: The Animated Series)

There are two different kinds of Mark Hamill fans. There are those who know the actor as Luke Skywalker from the Star Wars movies and then there are those who know him as The Joker on Batman: The Animated Series and many subsequent animated Batman movies. The voice he puts on for the role – a wonderful mix of comically over-the-top theatrics and scintillating intimidation – has been recognized as the definitive portrayal of the Clown Prince of Crime in the eyes of many DC fans.

Robin Williams (Popeye)

Robin Williams proved that he was the perfect choice to lead director Robert Altman's live-action adaptation of the Popeye comic strip. He matched the brave, spinach-swilling sailor's fast-paced growl, as originated by voice actor Billy Costello, to a tee in the 1980 film.

Maggie Wheeler (Friends)

Maggie Wheeler stole the show from the Friends cast with her recurring role as Janice Hosenstein, who was famous for her signature catchphrase, "Oh. My. GAWWWWWD!" What sold the character was her thick, nasally Brooklyn accent, which the actor came up with when she auditioned to play the character, as she revealed to Access Hollywood.

Idris Elba (Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom)

Idris Elba earned rave reviews for his portrayal of Nelson Mandela in the Oscar-nominated 2013 biopic, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom. Being raised by West African immigrants helped the English-born actor develop an appropriate dialect to play the influential South African President, as he revealed to Oprah Winfrey.

Mia Goth (X)

Mia Goth played dual roles in Ti West's acclaimed A24 horror movie, 2022's X – both of which required her to conceal her mousy English accent. She spoke with a raspy Southern drawl as young aspiring starlet Maxine Minx and sounded similar, but significantly aged up, when playing homicidal elder, Pearl.

Megan Mullally (Will & Grace)

Megan Mullally absolutely earned her two Emmy Award wins for her committed performance as Karen Walker on the classic TV sitcom, Will & Grace. The key to the spoiled socialite's scene-stealing presence was her ear-piercing voice, which truly sounds nothing like the actor in real life.

Ana De Armas (Blonde)

Cuban-born actor Ana de Armas is known for having a strong accent, which she concealed in order to portray Marilyn Monroe in Blonde. Her commitment to matching the Hollywood icon's dialect in the 2022 Netflix original biopic would earn her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role.

Billy West (Various)

Billy West could be called the Mel Blanc of his generation as he can claim to have played about as many memorable animated characters as the iconic voice actor behind much of the Looney Tunes line-up did. To list just a few of West's best-known credits, he was both of the title characters from The Ren & Stimpy Show, took over as Popeye at one time, led Futurama as Fry, and plenty more.

Nicole Kidman (Being The Ricardos)

Nicole Kidman's Academy Award-nominated portrayal of Lucille Ball in 2021's Being the Ricardos was achieved with more than just makeup. The actor shed her Australian accent and added a smokiness to match the I Love Lucy star's natural voice but was also challenged to imitate the more high-pitched tone of the comedy icon's onscreen alter ego.

Melissa Rauch (The Big Bang Theory)

Dr. Bernadette Maryann Rostenkowski-Wolowitz easily boasts one of the most impossibly high-pitched voices in sitcom history. However, The Big Bang Theory cast member Melissa Rauch actually sounds nothing like Howard Wolowitz's bride, yet maintained the façade convincingly for 10 seasons on the hit CBS comedy.

Chris Pratt (The Super Mario Bros. Movie)

Despite making "total sense" to the directors of Illumination's The Super Mario Bros. Movie, fans of the original Nintendo video game series had some initial hesitation over Chris Pratt's casting as the older Mario brother. However, the actor wisely avoided the plumber's stereotypical Italian dialect from the games in favor of a Brooklyn accent that effectively masked his natural voice.

Robert Pattinson (Mickey 17)

Robert Pattinson plays the title role of Bong Joon-ho's 2024 sci-fi comedy Mickey 17 with an entirely unrecognizable and, admittedly, kind of goofy voice. According to IndieWire, the English actor based the voice for his "expendable" character and his many clones off of comedian Steve-O.

Johnny Depp (Charlie And The Chocolate Factory)

Say what you want about Tim Burton's 2005 adaptation of Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory but you have to admit that Johnny Depp did try something amusing with the role of Willy Wonka. To play the eccentric chocolatier, he adopted a high-pitched wheeze that almost makes you question if it really is the same guy who played Capt. Jack Sparrow under that top hat.

The idea of Austin Butler as Patrick Bateman in an American Psycho remake was an exciting one, even with all the other viable actor picks, since it is by far one of the best movies of the 2000s. But now Bret Easton Ellis, the author of the book, seems to debunk the Dune 2 actor’s involvement, and explains why he believes the viral casting is ‘fake news.’

When the announcement of the 2000 classic remake of American Psycho with Luca Guadagnino (Challengers/Suspiria) directing got people excited quickly. The tapping of Austin Butler to lead in the following months really got fans going, to the point where the casting decision went viral. The choices have been exciting, to say the least until Ellis shared on his podcast, The Bret Easton Ellis podcast, that he feels that it is "fake news." Per Bloody Disgusting, the writer explains that he heard from sources that there aren’t contracts in the works, saying:

The author and screenwriter seem to really believe that the announcement and the people involved aren’t in negotiations yet, if at all. It’ll be interesting to see what comes of the 60-year-old’s musings and how Butler and those involved will respond. I hope that there is a remake in the works and that things are moving slowly, or if there isn’t, that someone confirms the writer’s words.

Regardless of what may be true, Butler has been busy. The young star was in Dune 2 last year which was one of the best movies of 2024. Along with it, he’s now in pre-production for a Butler's new racing movie with Tom Holland called American Speed, which should be as thrilling as the title sounds.

Meanwhile, Ellis is in the process of working on writing for two projects. The first is called The Shards and is being adapted into a series from his book of the same name. Relapse is the other and had Joseph Quinn attached until a scheduling conflict arose with the upcoming Beatles movie. The latter of the two will be Ellis’ directorial debut and will be interesting to see him jump fully behind the camera.

"Fake news" or not, I hope that we see Austin Butler as Bateman, the casting did go viral for a reason after all. It’ll be interesting to see what comes of the American Psycho writer’s explanations and who may respond to the ruminations.

Catch the 2000 thriller classic with a Hulu subscription or Amazon subscription.

Through his roles in Dune: Part Two and The Bikeriders, actor Austin Butler has made quite a dent in the 2024 movie schedule. So it’s no surprise that his knack for playing both a violent villain and a cool guy will both be put to use, as he’s now been cast as the lead in Luca Guadagnino’s new American Psycho movie. While this casting is something that I’m greatly looking forward to, there are two other actors I was hoping would be considered.

In reporting from Variety confirming Butler in the role, one of those actors was directly named as Butler’s rival for the part, thanks to rumors that Euphoria star Jacob Elordi was also in the running. Which isn’t a bad alternative to have mentioned in the same conversation as Mr. Butler.

In particular Elordi’s casting as Frankenstein’s Monster in Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein for Netflix says to me that the young Australian thespian isn’t afraid to wrestle with the material. Also, if the Mary Harron version of author Bret Easton Ellis’ controversial best seller is any indication, there’s going to be tons of potential gore and nudity to dig into.

Another actor that I feel would be equipped for American Psycho’s unique challenges is actually a vet of the Luca Guadagnino School of Psychosexual Fun and Games: Mike Faist. Through his role in the 2025 Golden Globe nominated picture Challengers, Faist is already an accomplished partner that has worked with the Queer director who’ll be re-adapting the original text into a fresh take.

What's more, the West Side Story cast member occupies the same sort of sweet spot that Austin Butler does. Playing both feral and street wise, but also polished and aloof, I've felt he'd be a fantastic candidate for the role. Of course, Challengers may have a sort of recency effect over my mind at the moment.

But of course, Austin Butler is the actor currently slated to slip on some Oliver Peoples glasses, hang a David Onica on the wall, and make a reservation at Dorsia - if he can get one. And while I had some alternate casting dreams in my head, I have to say I’m really excited to see Butler get to return some metaphorical video tapes.

That is, of course, if Mr. Butler's dance card doesn't provide too many challenges. With the man tapped to be a part of that Tom Holland co-starring race car movie, as well as being the subject of constant rumors he'll play young Chris Shiherlis in Heat 2, there could be a chance that a replacement will be needed if either of those gigs becomes the priority.

Of course, if you still want to make your own comparisons with my choices, you can contrast with two of the films mentioned above, as they’re streaming for Prime Video subscription holders. For Austin Butler fans, The Bikeriders is available for perusal, whereas Mike Faist fans can catch him in Challengers on that same platform.

Tom Holland and Austin Butler are two of Hollywood’s brightest young stars, and the only thing bigger than a new movie starring one of them would be a new movie starring both of them. Not only are we now on track to get just that, but the film itself sounds quite exciting, as the pair are set to star as brothers who are also race car drivers.

Amazon MGM Studios has picked up the new movie American Speed from producer Charles Roven. According to Deadline, the film is based on the story of the Whittington Brothers, three famous race car-driving siblings. In the 1980s, two of them were involved in a scandal that resulted in charges of money laundering and drug smuggling as part of a scheme to finance their racing.

Dan Wiedenhaupt, who previously penned the pre-historic “Boy and his dog” movie Alpha, is writing the screenplay. This certainly sounds like a compelling premise for a movie and with the movie starring two popular young stars there will surely be a lot of interested eyes on this one.

Austin Butler And Tom Holland Are Two Stars In High Demand

Following his Oscar nomination for Elvis Austin Butler’s star has continued to rise. He’s currently slated to appear in the new films from Ari Aster and Darren Aronofsky. He’s also been rumored for roles in major tentpole releases from the next Pirates of the Caribbean movie to the live-action Hercules from Disney. Even if those rumors don’t turn out to be true, the fact that Butler is being rumored for such high-profile roles shows just where he is in the eyes of Hollywood.

Tom Holland’s career has never been stronger either. While he’s getting geared up to star in the upcoming Spider-Man 4, with Destin Daniel Cretton taking over directing duties from Jon Watts, he’s also set to star opposite Martt Damon in Christopher Nolan’s next movie. While Holland is still Spider-Man first in the eyes of pretty much everybody, he’s been able to avoid total typecasting and has found plenty of roles outside the world of superheroes.

American Speed's Theatrical Prospects

It’s too early to tell if American Speed will receive a theatrical release or if it will be directed to streaming. Another Amazon MGM/Roven collaboration, Mercy starring Chris Pratt, is set for a theatrical release next summer. Amazon made the decision to release the Dwayne Johnson Christmas movie Red One in theaters, and in the same year it declined to give the Road House remake the same treatment, which brought the studio under fire by the film’s director.

Certainly with two big stars like Butler and Holland, American Speed would be the sort of movie that demands a theatrical release. One piece of the puzzle that’s currently missing is a director, but with stars like this, there will probably be no shortage of interested parties.

It’s been all quiet on the Zendaya front for a few months. The actress was everywhere this summer popularizing the tenniscore look for her movie Challengers. But since she gave fashion serves at Wimbledon we haven’t seen much of her. That is until she popped up at a Dune 2 event in New York this weekend and showed off two gorgeous and quietly luxurious looks.

Zendaya was in New York this weekend along with her Dune: Part Two co-stars Timothée Chalamet and Austin Butler. They were there to attend a “For Your Consideration” screening of Denis Villeneuve’s popular sci-fi film. She left her hotel in a chic white jacket and matching maxi while heading to the theater in Midtown, and it was certainly another memorable celebrity fashion moment. You can take a look at the gorgeous ‘fit, below.

To note, not only did we get one great Zendaya look, we got two. After stepping out in the black and white combo, she went out on the town in a silky, satiny number that’s the kind of dress you absolutely want to touch with your fingers when it’s hung on a store rack. The deep emerald color made it pop even more. She paired this look with the Christian Louboutin shoes she frequently is seen wearing for events.

Timothée Chalamet and Austin Butler also attended the event, though their more casual looks were pretty well outshined by their female co-star.

Dune: Part Two came out back in March, and as such will be eligible for the 2025 Oscars. While nominations won’t be out for some months, For Your Consideration screenings are starting to be pushed to get more movies in front of more eyeballs – at least for those who vote for the awards. And there have been some rumblings Dune: Part Three might come to theaters sooner than expected, so interest is still pretty high on this property and what could happen come Oscars season.

Next up Zendaya will be filming The Drama with Robert Pattinson, an A24 movie that’s being described as a “romance,” but one with a twist. As noted prior, Zendaya and her stylist partner Law Roach have been pivotal to bringing method dressing to the red carpet, and moments like this tennis-themed dress and shoes and the full body armor she wore to the Dune 2 premiere have been pivotal to setting this reputation. Now she’s earned it, I’m so excited for her next fashion era and what she chooses to film next.

I finally got around to watching The Bikeriders, one of the 2024 movies I missed on the big screen over the summer, and I was blown away by Austin Butler’s performance especially. While watching the movie, which chronicles a Chicago motorcycle club in the ‘60s and ‘70s, I couldn’t stop thinking about Butler and all those rumors about him being eyed for Michael Mann’s Heat 2, the long-awaited sequel to one of the best ‘90s movies.

I’ve long thought that Butler, who has given some commanding performances in the likes of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Elvis, and Dune Part 2 in recent years, would be perfect for the upcoming book-to-screen adaptation, and after watching The Bikeriders, I’m convinced he’s perfect for Heat 2, especially considering who he’s rumored to be playing.

Oh, and before we get started, there are going to be some massive spoilers for both The Bikeriders and Heat throughout. That said, let’s get started!

Austin Butler Has Long Been Rumored To Take Over Val Kilmer's Part In Heat 2

When Heat 2 eventually comes out, it will serve as both a prequel and sequel to one of the best heist films of all time. That means younger versions of characters like Rober De Niro’s Neil McCauley and Val Kilmer’s Chris Shiherlis are going to need to be cast. I could go on an on about all those Adam Driver rumors, but for the sake of this story, I’ll just focus on Austin Butler reportedly being the top choice for Shiherlis in his younger days.

Throughout much of 2024, outlets like Deadline have reported that the Golden Globe winner is being eyed for the part, and those reports were given some credibility when footage of Butler going through weapons training (via GamesRadar) surfaced a few months ago.  However, the actor has gone to great lengths to avoid giving a straight answer, as seen during an interview conducted by CinemaBlend’s Mike Reyes ahead of The Bikeriders’ release.

I’m not going to say it’s a sure thing that Butler will be playing Shiherlis in Heat 2, because you know how those things go, but I still think it’s a real possibility.

Benny And Chris Shiherlis Feel Like They Were Cut From The Same Cloth

There are so many parallels between Benny and Chris Shiherlis, it’s not even funny. While watching The Bikeriders I honestly kept wondering if they were based on the same guy, because it feels like they were cut from the same cloth. Like kindred spirits or something like that.

On the surface, both characters are objectively handsome men with their dirty blonde hair and rugged yet innocent appearances. They walk, talk, and almost act the same as they go about their lives with their respective gangs – the McCauley crew from Heat, the Vandals in The Bikeriders – and I think these similar appearances, body language, and physicality make Butler perfect to take over the role.

At the same time, Benny and Chris’ stories have a lot of parallels that add so much to the comparison. Both are the most trusted men in their respective gangs, both find themselves being torn in multiple directions, and both go through a crisis of faith between the start and finish of their stories. 

I Loved How Well Austin Butler Was Able To Pull Off A Tortured And Conflicted Character In Bikeriders

One thing that I’ve noticed about Butler in the past is that he can pull off tortured and conflicted characters really, really well. This is especially true for his portrayal of Benny in The Bikeriders. While other members of the Vandals have a devil-may-care attitude and seem to having nothing on their minds besides booze, drugs, fights, and women, it’s a different story when you look into Benny’s eyes.

Here’s a man fighting a battle of fight or flight every single day of his life, and at multiple times throughout the movie, he straight up disappears because of it all. The vulnerability of his performance has me hoping he’s officially cast in Heat 2, because that richness would be perfect for Chris Shiherlis. 

He Also Had This Explosive Energy, Which Would Be Perfect For A Young Chris Shiherlis

From the first time I saw the first Bikeriders trailer, I had a feeling the movie was going to have some explosive scenes. Though the movie is more vibes than plot, as we pointed out in our official review, there are some great moments where characters show off some wild energy, specifically Austin Butler’s Benny.

There’s one scene in particular (though revisited multiple times) in the movie where Benny refuses to remove his “colors” (his Vandals patch) at a bar and then gets the shit kicked out of him by two goons. I swear I saw shades of a young Chris Shiherlis when Benny pulls out the knife and slashes one of his attackers after fighting them in the street. It takes a lot to get the kid going, but when he does, he doesn’t mess around. 

Austin Butler Has Proven He's A Dedicated Actor Who's Able To Lose Himself In A Performance

No two Austin Butler performances are alike, and that’s because the actor has a history of being able to lose himself in a performance. I mean, the internet gave the guy a lot of grief for his Elvis voice, especially after he kept using it long after production wrapped. However, that just shows me that he was so dedicated to his portrayal of the real-life figure that he fully submerged himself in the body, mind, and spirit of the King of Rock n Roll.

The same can be said about Dune Part 2 and The Bikeriders, two movies where he looked less like an actor playing sociopath and biker, respectively, and more like two characters come to life. Personally, I would love to see how Butler would lose himself in the famous Heat character if he, in fact, joins the prequel/sequel. 

Even Before Watching Bikeriders, I Thought Austin Butler Had An Energy And Presence Similar To Val Kilmer's 

Though The Bikeriders, and Austin Butler’s performance in it, has me excited for what could happen if he ends up joining the Heat 2 cast, I was making comparisons between the actor and Val Kilmer before I pressed play. Just like their famous characters, the two Hollywood stars have a similar presence in that they have some serious range when it comes to acting and seem to have a thirst for meaning and growth in their lives. 

It will be interesting to see where Butler’s career takes him in the coming years, and what kind of roles he’ll take on next. He seems to be selective with his projects (five movies since 2019), and I think Heat 2 could take him to the next level. 

Though Heat isn't currently streaming, you can check out The Bikeriders with a Peacock subscription if you haven’t already.

Stream The Bikeriders on Peacock.

Whether it's in biopics or in other historical movies, playing an important person often leads to some of the most amazing performances put on film. There are far too many to count, much less list here, but we do think you'll agree that this list of 32 actors playing famous people rank among the best. 

Ben Kingsley - Gandhi

The 1982 epic Gandhi starring Ben Kingsley as the revered leader of India and icon to peaceful protestors all over the world is an amazing movie. At the heart is Kingsley's amazing, transformative performance. He looks and sounds just like Gandhi, it's almost uncanny. 

Margot Robbie - Tonya Harding

When the news first broke that Australian Margot Robbie was cast to play controversial US Olympic figure skater Tonya Harding in I, Tonya, it's safe to say that many were skeptical. It took the actor all of about 30 seconds of screen time in the movie to prove those skeptics very wrong. Robbie is fantastic as the troubled skater with a family life that you wouldn't wish on anyone. 

Paul Dano - Brian Wilson

The Brian Wilson biopic Love & Mercy seems to have been overlooked by many, but if you're a fan of The Beach Boys, you need to see it. John Cusack plays the older Wilson in the 1980s and it is fantastic. Paul Dano, who plays the Pet Sounds-era Wilson, is simply amazing. He completely disappears into the role. 

Reese Witherspoon - June Carter Cash

Reese Witherspoon and Joaquin Phoenix are both amazing in Walk the Line as June and Johnny Cash. Really both deserve to be on this list, but we've the honor to Witherspoon if only because she won Best Actress at the Oscars in 2006. 

Robert Downey, Jr - Charlie Chaplin

It took a long time for Robert Downey to win an Oscar, which he finally did for Oppenheimer. More than 30 years before that win, he earned his first nomination for 1992's Chaplin for playing the legendary actor and Hollywood trailblazer. It's a movie that doesn't get talked about much these days, but it's still great. Especially Downey's performance. 

Natalie Portman - Jackie Kennedy

Jackie Kennedy has to be a tricky person to play. She is so iconic and so well known to so many people that the scrutiny would be stressful. Luckily for all of us, Natalie Portman hit it out of the park when she played the former First Lady in Jackie. 

Meryl Streep - Margaret Thatcher

It's hardly surprising to see Meryl Streep's name on any list of great performances. She has been arguably the best actor in Hollywood for 50 years. One of her finest performances came in 2011's The Iron Lady where she played the first female prime minister of the United Kingdom, Margaret Thatcher. 

Rami Malek - Freddy Mercury

You knew we couldn't have this list without including Rami Malek's incredible performance as Freddie Mercury in the biopic about the late Queen singer, Bohemian Rhapsody. It's not all about the prosthetic teeth, as Malek nailed so many nuances and mannerisms of the icon rock star. Just as in real life, the performance at Live Aid at the end of the movie brings down the house. 

Val Kilmer - Jim Morrison

If you grew up in the '90s, The Doors was probably a seminal film for you. Val Kilmer blew audiences away as the late Jim Morrison. It was so good you'd swear you were watching the real Morrison as he rose to fame and then burned out quickly before tragically becoming a member of the "27 Club" in 1971.

Denzel Washington - Malcolm X

A powerful personality takes an actor with equal strength to pull off and in Malcolm X, Denzel Washington is more than up for the task. Playing the combative, controversial civil rights leader could not have been easy, yet Washington brings him back to life in every way. It's the reason everyone should see this biopic. 

Faye Dunaway - Joan Crawford

Faye Dunaway gives the performance of a lifetime in Mommie Dearest. It's scary and mesmerizing. Joan Crawford was one of the most beloved actors in Hollywood in the Golden Age in Hollywood, but this movie changed the public's opinion of her forever - and not for the better. 

Jennifer Lopez - Selena

Before played the murdered superstar Selena in the movie of the same name, Jennifer Lopez had had a few roles in movies, but after Selena, she was the legend we all know today. It's a groundbreaking performance. 

David Oyelowo - Dr, Martin Luther King, Jr.

Everyone in America has heard the powerful voice of Martin Luther King, Jr. hundreds of times. His speeches are part of everyone's education. That makes David Oyelowo's turn as the civil rights leader that much harder - and that much more impressive. It's just fantastic. 

Cate Blanchett - Bob Dylan

Okay, we admit, technically Cate Blanchett is playing a character named "Jude Quinn" in I'm Not There, but c'mon, let's be real, she's playing Bob Dylan. It's an uncanny performance as well. There is actual footage of Dylan from that time in his career in the excellent D.A. Pennebaker-directed Dont Look Back. Compare that to Blanchett and you'll realize just how great she was. 

Daniel Day-Lewis - Abraham Lincoln

Of all the amazing performances on this list, Daniel Day-Lewis as Abraham Lincoln in Lincoln just may be the best. It frankly could be the greatest acting performance of all time. There's an argument for it, at least. He's simply incredible and brings the tragic president to life like no one else has before or since, and likely never will. 

Cillian Murphy - J. Robert Oppenheimer

Cillian Murphy won a well-deserved Best Actor Award for playing J. Robert Oppenheimer in Oppenheimer. It's a subtle, smoldering performance, just like the personality of the real Oppenheimer. Playing the scientist in his greatest moments in life and his lowest, it's a fantastic showing by the Irish actor. 

Cynthia Erivo - Harriet Tubman

Harriet Tubman is one of the most important people in US history, but one that hasn't been explored on film nearly as much as you might expect. Luckily, when someone did decide to finally tell her full story on the big screen in 2019's Harriet, they had the good sense to cast Cynthia Erivo as the former slave-turned-freedom fighter. She's amazing. 

Forest Whitaker - Idi Amin

Forest Whitaker is pretty great in everything he's in. He cranks his talent up to another level in The Last King Of Scotland as the brutal dictator of Uganda, Idi Amin. He's so good there are even moments where viewers might feel compassion for the man, despite his worst tendencies as the leader of the country. 

Jessica Chastain - Tammy Faye Bakker

If you were around in the 1980s, you remember all the insanity around Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker. Jim Bakker crying on TV with Tammy Faye right next to him is something no one will forget. Jessica Chastain's turn as the evangelical preacher's wife is just as memorable. 

Philip Seymour Hoffman - Truman Capote

it's hard to imagine anyone will ever play Truman Capote as well as the late Philip Seymour Hoffman in Capote. The role completely takes control of the actor in the best way. It might as well been the writer himself. You completely forget there is even an actor behind the role. 

Daniel Kaluuya - Fred Hampton

Fred Hampton was a controversial and complicated leader in the Black Panther Party in the 1960s. Casting a Brit like Daniel Kaluuya in the role was a daring choice by the filmmakers of Judas and the Black Messiah, but it paid off brilliantly as Kaluuya nails the role. 

Gary Oldman - Winston Churchill

Winston Churchill has been played on the big and small screen by plenty of great actors. John Lithgow (The Crown), Brendan Gleeson (Into the Storm), and Albert Finney (The Gathering Storm) have all garnered praise for playing the legendary prime minister. Gary Oldman, who won an Oscar for playing Churchill in 2017's The Darkest Hour may just be the best. His reading of those famous speeches is just mesmerizing. 

Angela Bassett - Tina Tuner

Tina Turner was a fierce woman, who deserved a fierce performance and she got one with Angela Bassett in What's Love Got To Do With It. Bassett's performance is transcendent and certainly deserved the Oscar nomination she received. She should've won it! 

Austin Butler - Elvis Presley

Austin Butler got so caught up in his performance as Elvis Presley in Elvis that critics of the actor complained that even months later he was still talking like the King of Rock and Roll. he wasn't, but that does say something about how good he was in the Baz Luhrmann-directed bio flick. 

Jesse Eisenberg - Mark Zuckerberg

When The Social Network was first announced, many were confused as to how someone could make an interesting movie about the founding of Facebook. It turns out, that if you get a great writer like Aaron Sorkin, a great director like David Fincher, and someone like Jesse Eisenberg to play the Mark Zuckerberg, you can make it look easy. The movie is great, and Eisenberg's performance is pitch-perfect. 

Leonardo DiCaprio - Howard Hughes

Howard Hughes is one of the most mercurial and odd celebrities in US history. In The Aviator, Leonardo DiCaprio fully embodies everything about the director and businessman. He takes on his greatest triumphs and sinks to the depths of Hughes' despair in the lowest points of his mental illness with the same gusto. 

Charlize Theron - Aileen Wuornos

Serial killer Aileen Wuornos was a terrifying person. A true monster, as the name of the movie about her is called. That's not to say a viewer can't have some sympathy for the circumstances that brought her to the point of murder, but you can't excuse her. Charlize Theron does an incredible job bringing all of that to the role in Monster. 

Sean Penn - Harvey Milk

Milk is one of the great political movies of the last few decades and the biggest reason why, besides the inspiring story, is Sean Penn's performance as Harvey Milk. Like Penn has done so often in his career, he completely disappears into the character. It is Harvey Milk.  

George C. Scott - George Patton

George S. Patton was a great, and complicated leader in World War II. He was responsible for some of the greatest military gains in the war, and he couldn't keep himself out of trouble with his controversy. George C. Scott's portrayal of the general in Patton is amazing. Even though the opening scene of him making a speech in front of the flag is fictional, it sets the tone perfectly and the movie never lets up. 

Cate Blanchett - Katharine Hepburn

Leonardo DiCaprio is fantastic in The Aviator as Howard Hughes, but he's not the only great performance in the movie. Cate Blanchett as the iconic Katharine Hepburn is, well, iconic. There's just no better word for either. It's not only a spot-on impression, the portrayal nails everything that was great about Hepburn. 

Robert De Niro - Jake LaMotta

Jake LaMotta was one of the toughest prizefighters of all time. His incredible story and Robert De Niro's performance are the two things that make Raging Bull legendary. Scorsese's direction is pretty great too. 

Helen Mirren - Queen Elizabeth II

it's really hard to play a person who has been on television screens all over the world for decades. Helen Mirren takes on that difficult task in Queen Elizabeth II. The late Queen was an icon in every sense of the word and playing her could not have been easy, yet, when you have the talent of Helen Mirren, it looks easy. It surely wasn't. 

Actor Johnny Depp has had a long career as a character actor, but he's perhaps most synonymous with playing lead Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. The franchise, which is streaming with a Disney+ subscription, has been out of theaters for a number of years now, although the studio was reportedly developing two different attempts at a reboot. Depp isn’t coming back to Pirates, but rumors claim the new star is about to sign on. And it’s a great choice.

In recent years, Johnny Depp and Amber Heard's rocky relationship has in some ways eclipsed his long resume. That's presumably why the House of Mouse is trying to move forward with Pirates of the Caribbean with Margot Robbie, as well as another movie. A new report by Life & Style claims that none other than Austin Butler is being approached to lead anew movie. An anonymous source claimed to know what's going on behind the scenes, and was quoted saying:

There you have it. While both Margot Robbie and Johnny Depp might still appear in a Pirates of the Caribbean movie, it sounds like Disney wants to first move forward with a movie starring Austin Butler. And considering just how much star power the 32 year-old actor has right now, he seems like an amazing choice. We'll just have to see if/when this rumor comes to fruition and he actually signs on for the project.

Butler became a household name thanks to his work in Baz Luhrmann's Elvis movie, and has since appeared in a number of other big profile projects like Dune: Part Two and The Bike Riders. The same anonymous insider spoke to Life & Style about

Clearly this new possible Pirates movie with Austin Butler is still very much in development. The actor likely won't sign on to his role without a script, so the writing process better pick up if this rumor is to come to fruition. After all, Butler is probably getting tons of offers right about now.

Only time will tell if/when the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise returns to theaters. For now, check the 2025 movie release dates to plan your trips to the theater next year.

This year has shaped up to be monumental for Austin Butler, who is still going strong post-Dune: Part Two. He most recently starred in The Bikeriders, which recently rode onto the 2024 movie schedule. And, months ago, he had the Masters of the Air miniseries, which began streaming in January for everyone with an Apple TV+ subscription. Needless to say, the rising Elvis star is in high demand and understandably so. Still, all that glitters is not gold. Butler recently discussed the more "unglamorous" aspects of working on a set and used a recent harrowing behind-the-scenes experience he had while filming his epic sci-fi movie. This particular ordeal really catches my attention, because it sounds miserable. 

It was during an interview with BBC Radio 1 that Austin Butler gave fans a glimpse into the sweltering conditions he and the cast endured while shooting one of Dune: Part Two's most intense sequences. The star, who played the role of the psychotic Feyd-Rautha in Denis Villeneuve's movie , explained that not-so-glamorous moment while on set:

It goes without saying that this sounds absolutely dreadful. And the supporting actor turned A-lister paints a pretty vivid picture of the physical and environmental challenges faced by the cast and crew. The gladiator fight scene, a crucial part of Dune: Part Two, demanded intense performance and remarkable endurance. Filming in a sandpit under the scorching sun, with temperatures soaring to 110 degrees Fahrenheit, is no small feat. And, if the sentiments above don't make you sweat, then the other comments Austin Butler shared certainly will:

Despite these challenges, Austin Butler’s dedication to his role and the film's overall vision remained unwavering, and they created one of the most memorable villains in recent memory. The guy’s performance is more snakelike than human -- it's intense and unsettling. If you haven't seen Dune: Part Two (and you really should), it's available to stream with a Max subscription. 

Now a little removed from his work within the dunes of Arrakis, the 32-year-old star has been promoting Jeff Nichols’ The Bikeriders, and he already has more work on his plate. He's set to star in a big-screen adaptation of City on Fire, and he'll also appear alongside Joaquin Phoenix and more in the upcoming black comedy Eddington. 

Additionally, rumors suggest that the Dead Don't Die alum might join Adam Driver in Michael Mann’s highly anticipated sequel, Heat 2. While details about the film are scarce, we know it will be a direct follow-up (and simultaneously something of a prequel) to one of the best '90s movies and a legendary heist film. It is also an upcoming book-to-screen adaptation based on the novel Mann co-wrote with Meg Gardiner. Fortunately, this project will unlikely involve the same intense -- pun intended -- heat as Dune: Part Two.

It's exciting to see Austin Butler's career grow, and it's not hard to see why. Yes, his steamy experience on the set of Dune: Part Two does represent one of the occupational hazards of working massive movies. However, the fact that he trudged through it is also a true testament to his work ethic. Here's to continued success for Butler, and here's hoping he doesn't have too many "unglamorous" moments that are as sweltering as that gladiator scene.

Warning: SPOILERS for The Bikeriders’ ending are in play. If you haven’t seen the film yet, you’ve officially been warned.

Writer/director Jeff Nichols’ 2024 movie The Bikeriders tells a fictitious story inspired by actual people, and the biker club to which they belonged. Caught up in this drama are Jodie Comer and Austin Butler’s Kathy and Benny, a pair of lovers who find each other as the Vandals MC starts to make its way into some tumultuous times.

That history comes with an ending that’s pretty open ended, and both actors have shared some pretty interesting thoughts on the film’s finale. On top of why they love what Nichols’ story leaves the audience pondering, they also shared some early feedback they’ve gotten from other viewers. Considering the critical reaction to The Bikeriders, that makes this conclusion sound like a conversation starter waiting to happen.

What Happened At The End Of The Bikeriders?

After Johnny (Tom Hardy) is murdered by The Kid (Toby Wallace), the Vandals MC turns into something altogether different. While its original founder saw it as more of a brotherhood of bike enthusiasts, that all changes after The Kid takes over. With the group becoming more of the scary biker gang you'd have expected from The Bikeriders' trailer, Benny (Austin Butler) and Kathy (Jodie Comer) take that moment to leave the scene.

Closing out The Bikeriders is a moment where we see Kathy in the middle of an interview with Danny (Mike Faist), the journalist she’s been telling stories to throughout the film. While the absence of Benny during these talks seemed to suggest he might have died, we see the smiling bandit hanging out by their house’s garage.

However, the final moments of this drama see Kathy and Benny seeming to draw happiness from two different things. For Kathy, their escape from the Vandals MC for relative safety seems to be her source of joy. After all, she’s got Benny, and that’s all she wanted. Meanwhile, his smile seems to be accompanied by the sound of motorbikes.

That seems to imply that despite taking the man out of the club, the club hasn’t totally left him. That contrast right there is one I had to explore in conversation with Jodie Comer and Austin Butler.

Jodie Comer And Austin Butler’s Thoughts On The Bikeriders’ Ending

Having the honor to attend an early press day held by Focus Features to promote The Bikeriders, I was able to ask both co-stars about how they interpreted that ending. In the case of Ms. Comer, her knowledge of the real people featured in Danny Lyon’s book of the same name kind of gives her the edge. With that in mind, Jodie did share with CinemaBlend this thought on how she wants audiences to interpret the film:

As for Austin Butler, he pretty much mirrored Jodie’s thoughts on The Bikeriders’ beautifully ambiguous finale. Though we do have plenty of audio from Kathy’s side of the story, all Austin had in reference to his character’s life was one photograph. But that certainly didn’t stop him from sharing his thoughts on how he wants audiences to walk out of the film. Here’s how Butler contributed to his co-stars thoughts with CinemaBlend:

Jeff Nichols presents his conclusion with enough ambiguity that, as I pointed out in The Bikeriders review, the movie somewhat embraces vibes over plot as a result. That choice left its imprint pretty early on though, as in continuing to talk about those final moments, both Comer and Butler had feedback to share from the experience that moment gave people.

The Feedback The Bikeriders Stars Shared About This Film’s Final Moments

Even as far back as last April, The Bikeriders’ press tour screenings saw Benny and Kathy’s uncertain fate catching on with audiences. Digging a little deeper into that final moment and its beautiful questions, both Austin Butler and Jodie Comer took the time to share how that moment struck others.

For Comer, what stuck with her was a more external reaction to the ending described above. But as you'll read below, Butler’s feedback was from personal experience:

“Austin Butler: I was struck by the ending, when I first saw it. Because I’ve obviously worked on the entire film, and read the script, and knew what was happening. But the first time I saw it really hit me. The sort of poetic nature that Jeff told the story, it really surprised me.

Jodie Comer: Quite a few people have said that that moment has stuck with them, which I think is quite [cool.] You know, as we start doing these interviews, and you hear what people have taken away from it, it’s quite interesting that the ending is something that’s really kind of lingered with people.”

For a movie to be able to surprise one of its stars with the ending, even after having made the picture, is something quite remarkable. So clearly Jeff Nichols landed onto a story that really nailed the hearts and souls of people like Benny and Kathy, right down to the audience being invested in what may have happened after.

As both Jodie and Austin’s legacy-quel connections are still a going concern in their acting futures, that investment undoubtedly also comes from the fanbases that favor their work. So landing such a brilliantly balanced ending like The Bikeriders could see them riding off into the box office on some pretty strong praise.

We’ll see soon enough, as the Focus Features film is currently showing in theaters. But if you’ve already seen the picture and want to learn more about the film from its writer/director, then check out Jeff Nichols’ ReelBlend interview.

There’s something undeniably intriguing about motorcycle gangs, and moviegoers are about to get an inside look at the outlaw motorcycle club Vandals MC when The Bikeriders hits the big screen this Friday, June 21. The film, which stars Jodie Comer, Austin Butler and Tom Hardy among others, is inspired by a 1968 photo book and shows the transformation of the club into a gang whose dark intentions vary wildly from its founder's original intent. The movie has screened for critics, so let’s see what they have to say.

The Bikeriders’ release date was originally supposed to be in 2023, but it was delayed, at least in part, due to the entertainment industry strikes. Now, we’re finally going to get to see the crime drama whose trailer promises a scary look at a motorcycle gang’s inner workings. In Mike Reyes’ CinemaBlend review of The Bikeriders, he says the movie is more vibes than story, but that’s not an overall bad thing, and audiences won’t walk away unaffected. He gives it 3 out of 5 stars, writing: 

Neil Smith of GamesRadar, meanwhile, gives it 4 stars out of 5, saying you can practically smell the asphalt, as The Bikeriders’ encapsulates the motorcycle club’s camaraderie and solidarity in a brilliantly authentic way. Smith continues: 

Haadiza Ogwude of the Cincinnati Enquirer praises all three lead actors but says Jodie Comer is the clear star, and while the critic has no experience with motorcycle gangs personally, Ogwude was drawn into the plot and deeper themes. In the critic’s words: 

Jake Coyle of the AP gives the movie 3 out of 4 stars, pointing out several dualities that make The Bikeriders work, including romance and rugged masculinity, throttle and brakes. It characters embody both the glory and uneasiness about American freedom. Coyle writes: 

Beth Webb of Empire is experiencing that duality in her piece about The Bikeriders, as she says the movie is exquisitely shot, but its conflict isn’t strong enough to propel the story forward at an engaging pace. Webb gives it 3 out of 5 stars and says: 

All of the critics seem to have found good and bad things to say about The Bikeriders, but it sounds like most of them think the movie is still one worth checking out. That seems to be the consensus for more than just the above assessments, as the film holds an 86% critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes. 

The Bikeriders premieres in theaters on Friday, June 21, and be sure to also check out our 2024 movie release schedule to see what else is coming soon. 

When you’re actors in demand like Jodie Comer and Austin Butler, you become connected to all sorts of opportunities. While not all of those connections are actual offers, the internet and the trades certainly love to talk about the delicious possibilities that could arise.

However, when I recently sat down with both Comer and Butler, on behalf of an early press day for Focus Features’ 2024 movie The Bikeriders, two very unique projects came up in conversation. As Comer was just starting to be mentioned as a candidate for 28 Years Later, and with Butler being heavily speculated as circling Michael Mann’s Heat 2, I was curious what those opportunities meant to both of these young actors on the rise. Their responses were not only refreshing, but they had me even more convinced that they were perfect fits for their respective opportunities.

What 28 Years Later Represents To Star Jodie Comer

Shortly before Jodie Comer was confirmed as a member of the 28 Years Later cast, my inquiry about the opportunity yielded an answer that, in hindsight, feels like it was almost a confirmation. Even removed from that context, Comer’s response to CinemaBlend showed how reverent she is of the 28 Days Later legacy, as she had this to say:

If I was in Jodie’s shoes, I’d probably need a little more time to compose myself into the mindset she described above. But that’s exactly what makes her a perfect fit for 28 Years Later, as her value of the process itself is greater than the legacy. That school of thought is exactly what her Bikeriders co-star Austin Butler would probably fall in line with, considering the legacy-quel role for which he's being considered.

Austin Butler’s Gratitude For His Career Possibilities

Taking his own turn to dance with the spectre of speculation, Mr. Butler addressed the rumors that connect to everything we know about Heat 2. More specifically, the Dune: Part Two star has been suggested as playing the younger version of Val Kilmer’s character, Chris Shiherlis.

Here’s how Austin Butler, with the utmost care and targeted choice of words, discussed that possibility with CinemaBlend:

Butler is fast becoming a pro at handling such matters; as seen in Butler’s response to those fresh Pirates of the Caribbean rumors. In all honesty, I need to applaud both Austin Butler and Jodie Comer for their generous remarks on what was obviously a delicate subject that could spark even more speculation just by talking about it.

I also must applaud their performances in director Jeff Nichols' The Bikeriders, which finally makes it way into theaters on June 21st. If you're a fan of their work, or films that encompass experiences of a generation, then I definitely suggest keeping this one on your radar. And keep an eye our for further coverage on CinemaBlend, as we'll have more on Jodie Comer and Austin Butler's thoughts on the film's ending after it's released.

Disney and live-action movies that are not Marvel or Star Wars have had a rocky road over the decades. Before Disney’s general (but not guaranteed) success with live-action remakes of animated classics, Disney's one shining success at the box office was the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. We have been assured that more Pirates movies are coming but very little is known, including, it would seem, by the people who might be in them.

Austin Butler may be in line for a shot starring in a live-action Disney movie very soon. His name has been associated with potentially starring in the Russo Brothers’ live-action Hercules, but his name has also come up as the potential star of a Pirates of the Caribbean reboot. If it’s true that Disney wants him, nobody at the studio has asked him. When ET asked Butler about the rumors, he claimed ignorance, though it turns out he’s a fan of those movies. He said…

While Butler says he hadn’t even heard the rumors, it sounds like if they are true, he might seriously entertain the project, as he’s a bit of a fan of the franchise. He tells ET he even included Pirates of the Caribbean in a school project about his favorite things when he was a kid. You have to imagine if Disney does come to him with a Pirates movie, he’d want to do it.

As a fan of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise and a fan of Austin Butler, this sounds good to me. I don’t know why somebody who can convincingly play Elvis feels like they could obviously play a pirate, but it seems to work out in my head. Disney could do a lot worse.

Of course, the new Pirates of the Caribbean project, while we are continually told it is happening, the wheels seem to be moving slowly. The movie will be a complete franchise reboot, which means nobody from the previous movies is expected to appear. But that’s also the problem. 

Johnny Depp’s Jack Sparrow became such an iconic character that Disney seems to be having trouble figuring out how to move forward without him. Even Butler admits that he’s not sure he would want to try because he loved Depp’s performance so much. He continued… 

One way or another it seems clear that we will get at least one new Pirates of the Caribbean movie, and possibly more, as a pitch for a Pirates film with Margot Robbie, while not the current priority, isn’t entirely dead. Whether Butler is at the top of Disney’s list or not, if there is a discussion of casting going on, then the next film may finally get close to becoming real. My eyes will certainly be on D23 this year.

This year was always set to be a big one for Austin Butler, as both Dune: Part Two and The Bikeriders are among the 2024 movie releases, and the Masters of the Air miniseries premiered to Apple TV+ subscribers. Regarding the movies, the former came and went collecting critical acclaim, including CinemaBlend’s Dune: Part Two review giving it a perfect score, and the latter is arriving in June. But this year has already seen Butler line up some intriguing projects too, with the latest one being a cool crime movie that has some Challengers talent attached.

Ahead of the Luca Guadagnino-directed movie bowing in theaters at the end of the month, Deadline reports that Challengers writer Justin Kuritzkes has been tapped by Sony Pictures 3000 to write City on Fire, a film adaptation of the same-named novel that’s the first entry in a trilogy penned by author Don Winslow. Austin Butler will both star in the movie and produce alongside David Heyman from Heyday Films and Shane Salerno from The Story Factory. This news arrives shortly after City in Ruins, the final entry in Winslow’s trilogy, as well as his last book, makes its way onto bestseller lists.

Described as a modern day adaptation of Iliad, Odyssey, Aeneid and other Greek tragic dramas, City on Fire begins a crime saga that follows a struggle between Irish and Italian crime families that control New England. This becomes complicated when, as Deadline puts it in their writeup, “a modern-day Helen of Troy tears them apart and starts a brutal war.” Austin Butler will play main character Danny Ryan in this upcoming book adaptation, who evolves from a low-level goon to a leader who sets out to build his own dynasty and will fight anyone, ranging from the Mafia to the police and federal agents, to protect those he loves.

Assuming the City on Fire movie gets off the ground, this is the second movie Justin Kuritzkes has lined up, as he’s also adapting the William S. Burroughs novel Queer into a movie that will also be directed by Luca Guadagnino. Meanwhile for Austin Butler, it was reported in March that he’s going to be working with director Darren Aronofsky on Caught Stealing, an adaptation of Charlie Huston’s same-named novel (he’s also writing the screenplay) that follows a former baseball player who gets caught up in New York’s criminal underworld while working as a bartender. March also saw Butler begin filming the upcoming A24 movie Eddington, which costars Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal and Emma Stone.

While Butler has been professionally acting for nearly 20 years, the last several years has seen him becoming one of Hollywood’s most notable talents. In 2019, he played Tex Watson in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and then he was cast as Elvis Presley in Elvis, which netted him numerous accolades, including a Golden Globe win and Academy Award nomination. He played Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen and Gale Cleven in Dune: Part Two and Masters of the Air, respectively, and he’s playing Benny in The Bikeriders, which opens on June 21.

Stay tuned to CinemaBlend for updates on City on Fire and Austin Butler’s other upcoming projects. Those of you who are interested in seeing Challengers, which stars Zendaya and Josh O’Connor, can do so in theaters starting April 26.

Dune: Part Two is being considered a masterpiece by many, with fans and critics alike loving the ambitious epic scale of the latest Denis Villeneuve project. It’s a lengthy film, with a runtime of 2 hours and 46 minutes to encapsulate the world, politics, and major story arcs of the Frank Herbert novel. However, not everything ended up in the final cut. Apparently one actor from Dune ended up having his scenes left out of Part Two, and now is reflecting on the experience.

Stephen McKinley Henderson is an iconic character actor known for his supporting performances in movies like Lady Bird, Fences, and the upcoming movie from Alex Garland, Civil War. He also played Thufir Hawat in Dune, a Mentat for the House of Attradies. He was set to return for Dune: Part Two, and even shot scenes with Austin Butler, who he was very complimentary of. However, his scenes ultimately ended up on the cutting room floor. Nevertheless, Henderson was still grateful for the experience he did have behind the scenes. He told Entertainment Weekly:

Henderson’s scenes were likely supposed to correct some of the key differences between the Dune novel and film adaptation. In the book, Thufir Hawat is one of the surviving members of the House of Attradies, and is captured and tortured by House Harkonnen. Based on these comments about Austin Butler, Henderson probably shot scenes where his character’s fate with the Harkonnens was shown. Unfortunately, these scenes were cut out of Dune: Part Two, so the cinematic ending of Hawat will remain a mystery.

Henderson’s scenes in Part Two aren’t the only ones being cut from Villeneuve’s Dune saga. Rebecca Ferguson expressed disappointment towards many of the training scenes with Paul and Lady Jessica being left out of the film. Additionally, Villeneuve ended up removing a scene where Josh Brolin sings, which the director said he found omitting to be “painful.” There is so much lore and story condensed within the pages of Dune, and making concessions for the sake of a concise story can be difficult. However, Henderson still seems to have a good outlook on the experience, so at least he was able to take something from Part Two. 

Dune fans may be disappointed that parts of the movie were removed, but they can still find solace in the fact that Villeneuve isn’t done telling Paul Attradies’s story. The filmmaker has expressed an interest in adapting Dune: Messiah as the third and final Dune film. Henderson’s character doesn’t appear in Messiah, as he is said to die in the first Dune novel, but there is an abundance of other characters to explore that continue their journeys in the follow up. 

As for Stephen McKinley Henderson, he still has a thriving film career outside of the Dune universe. Fans of the character actor can see him in Civil War, which is set to hit theaters on April 12th. You can also revisit his appearance in Dune now with a Hulu subscription. For more information on other exciting films heading to cinemas and streaming in the near future, make sure to consult our 2024 movie release schedule. 

It was not until Dev Patel tried his hand at writing and directing a feature film, Monkey Man, when he finally became the star of his own action movie. His turn as a man on a vengeful mission against corruption in the thriller, which is being likened to John Wick, is really a long time coming, since plenty of the Academy Award nominee’s credits have incorporated elements of the genre. Yet, the 2024 movie release marks the first time he has been the lead of this particular kind of film.

The former Skins cast member is not the only one who has the talent and the experience that warrants action movie stardom, but has yet to receive top billing for one. Hopefully, the following actors I have compiled below do not need to write or direct their own high-paced, thrill-a-minute blockbuster to cross that off their bucket list one day.

Alan Ritchson

At 6’2” and 230 pounds, Alan Ritchson was the perfect choice to lead the Amazon Prime original TV show, Reacher, and would be the perfect choice to lead any action franchise you throw at him. He may have nabbed a supporting role in Guy Ritchie’s The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, but I am still waiting to see his face on the majority of a poster. Maybe another Jack Reacher movie, starring him this time?

Zoë Kravitz

Having appeared in multiple comic book movies (including X-Men first class), leading an intriguing, paranoia-fueled Neo-Noir (2022’s Kimi), and showing up in one of the greatest action movies of all time (2015’s Mad Max: Fury Road), it is only a matter of time when Zoë Kravitz plays the central hero of her own contribution to the genre. I actually would not mind if the action film she receives top-billing for saw her reprise her great Catwoman portrayal from The Batman in a spin-off. 

Zac Efron

It is actually hard to believe that, despite being one of Hollywood's most versatile leading men, Zac Efron has yet to headline an action movie. He has done pretty much everything else you could imagine — including musicals (his breakout role in Disney Channel’s High School Musical, of course), sports biopics (the acclaimed 2023 A24 movie, The Iron Claw), and even a “brutal” post-apocalyptic thriller (2022’s Gold) — so what is stopping him from kicking some ass?

Maika Monroe

Having starred in creepy modern classics like It Follows and Watcher, Maika Monroe is easily one of our most talented horror movie Scream Queens — a title she will continue to honor by leading the new, disturbing detective thriller, Longlegs. Could playing an FBI agent in that upcoming 2024 movie bring her one-step closer to fulfilling her action star destiny? Because, as far as I am concerned, she already proved she was worthy by developing a, sort of, “gruff badass” persona for her role in the 2015 alien invasion movie, The 5th Wave.

Austin Butler

Austin Butler proved he was a movie star with his Academy Award-nominated performance in Elvis, but that could not prepare audiences for his surprisingly intimidating turn as the ruthless Feyd-Rautha in Dune: Part Two. It makes me wanna see how intimidating he could be as a hero, or even anti-hero similar to his role in the upcoming The Bikeriders, which looks pretty intense. Perhaps all these recent performances will get some action filmmaker’s attention soon. 

Zendaya

Speaking of Dune: Part Two cast members, the one who really steals the show in the second half of Denis Villeneuve’s Frank Herbert adaptation is Zendaya as Chani, who should be considered the true hero of the story if you understand the author’s true intentions with Paul Atreides’ arc. Of course, the Emmy-winning Euphoria cast member still, understandably, got second billing under Timothée Chalamet, but the powerful acting and stellar fight choreography she demonstrates in the sci-fi blockbuster absolutely warrants a grand-scale epic of her own.

LaKeith Stanfield

Here is another example of an actor who has shown astonishing versatility in his eclectic filmography so far — including some acclaimed comedies (such as Sorry to Bother You), some great horror movies (his scene-stealing Get Out role), and a mix of both (Disney’s Haunted Mansion). However, whenever Academy Award nominee LaKeith Stanfield has been cast in an action flick (namely The Girl in the Spider’s Web and Netflix’s original Western movie, The Harder They Fall), it has never been in the lead role.

Jamie Chung

Here is another example of an actor whose action-oriented roles have either been supporting parts in movies (such as The Man with the Iron Fists or The Misfits), stints on TV shows (such as 2008’s Samurai Girl or Fox’s Gifted), or even voice acting roles (like in Big Hero 6). Come to think of it, I think that Jamie Chung’s career as a whole thus far has been pretty underrated, so hopefully the chance to be the next great female action hero comes her way soon.

Aldis Hodge

Aldis Hodge actually has an interesting connection to the action genre, having starred in two Die Hard movies: Die Hard with a Vengeance and A Good Day to Die Hard — the latter of which marked his acting debut as a child. After putting that experience to good use with a portrayal of Hawkman that is the best thing about Black Adam, in my opinion, I am certainly hoping to see him soar higher in this realm, whether that means leading a superhero movie of his own or something more grounded.

Katy O'Brian

Am I the only one who takes one look at Katy O’Brian and sees an action movie star waiting to be born? Following her breakout film role in Love Lives Bleeding, the bodybuilder and Mandalorian actor is more than ready to lead something with a speedier pace on the big screen.

Bill Hader

I bet you did not expect a former SNL cast member to appear on this list, but I think Bill Hader might even be the most deserving one here. His role as a hitman seeking an acting career on Barry proved that he has some astonishing range, and his participation in the HBO series' more action-oriented sequences also shows he could do well in something like a grizzled detective role, a la John McClane.

Could any of these stars become the next Bruce Willis or Charlize Theron? Trigger fingers crossed.

Austin Butler may never live down his Elvis Presley accent, but who cares when the role gave him his first Oscar nomination! The actor has become one of Hollywood’s most sought-after actors in recent years, with his latest role being among the star-studded Dune: Part 2 cast. Next, he’s working with another critically-acclaimed director. Butler has just signed on to Darren Aronofsky’s next movie, so bring in the early Oscar predictions!

Butler is set to play the lead in a movie called Caught Stealing, which has just joined a long list of upcoming book adaptations being produced by Hollywood. Per Deadline, Austin Butler will play the leading role of Hank Thompson in Aronofsky’s next project, who is a former baseball player who finds himself in the underbelly of New York City’s crime world while working as a bartender. Caught Stealing is based on Charlie Huston’s 2004 novel of the same name, and Huston will be behind the script of the adaptation too!

Darren Aronofsky’s movies more often than not get awards buzz, especially for the performances the filmmaker brings out of actors, between Natalie Portman’s chilling role in 2010’s Black Swan that earned her a Best Actress win at the Oscars, to Brendan Fraser being among 2023 Oscar winners for his leading role in The Whale. Additionally, both Mickey Rourke and Marisa Tomei were nominated for his 2009 movie The Wrestler, and Ellen Burstyn was in contention for Best Actress for 2000’s Requiem for a Dream.

It's surely too early to tell what’s in the cards for Austin Butler and the award show, but considering Darren Aronofsky’s history with filmmaking, this new role does bring him closer to being a two-time Oscar nominee quite a few years before his 40th birthday. Butler also has time to blow audiences away for his role in Ari Aster’s next film, Eddington, which is an upcoming Western also starring Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal and Emma Stone. Butler is currently filming the project in New Mexico.

Butler has already had a heck of the year playing twisted villain Feyd Rautha in Dune: Part 2, which has already become the highest-grossing of the 2024 movies. Next on the horizon, the actor will also star in The Bikeriders, which has a thrilling trailer out. The Jeff Nichols film also starring Tom Hardy, Jodie Comer, Michael Shannon, Mike Faist and Norman Reedus is about a fictional 1960s motorcycle club. It’s set to hit theaters this June.

Austin Butler is certainly being careful to choose some incredible directors and fellow actors to star alongside following his star-making turn as Elvis Presley back in 2022. We can’t wait to see what his and Darren Aronofsky’s collaboration will be like. Until then, you can see Butler in Dune: Part 2, which is still playing in theaters.

Daniel Craig was the latest actor to take on the license-to-kill secret agent James Bond. But with No Time to Die being Craig’s final James Bond film, it still leaves the question of who will take on these big shoes. Austin Butler gave an A+ reaction back when he pictured himself as the next James Bond, but all I can picture is the Ian Fleming character with an Elvis accent.

Austin Butler truly has come a long way since his child star days on Disney Channel and Nickelodeon. Now that Elvis has shown the American actor’s fluidity in talents and dialects, it poses the question of what other characters are in store for him as his career continues. On The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, a Teen Vogue video throwback from 2012 had Butler reveal he could envision himself playing James Bond donning a British accent. Here was the Golden Globe winner’s A+ reaction:

It was hilarious seeing Austin Butler laugh and cringe at his 21-year-old self wanting to be James Bond. Back then, it probably seemed easy to imagine himself with a martini in hand in between kicking ass. As the actor is now 32, it may seem like an outlandish thought to take on such an iconic role. 

Here’s the thing though- me picturing Austin Butler as James Bond only makes me think of James Bond with an Elvis accent. Imagining him saying the quotable words “Shaken, not stirred” makes me see the King of Rock 'n’ Roll actually say that while shaking his pelvis. As Butler spent three years perfecting his Elvis accent, Butler would get roasted for keeping his Memphis voice after the biopic premiered. But considering how long preparation was to play the "Viva Las Vegas" singer, it makes sense why the voice stuck with him. Last year, the BAFTA Award winner promised to drop his Elvis voice as singing like the “Hound Dog” singer made him think he ruined his vocal cords with all of those musical takes. 

After hearing The Masters of the Air actor speak on The Tonight Show, it sounds like the Memphis dialect in Austin Butler’s voice is gone. But his tone has become more sultry and smooth which I’m, of course, not complaining about. It would absolutely do well with the sex appeal James Bond has brought throughout the years. On the other hand, a now older Butler believed the role of the MI6 agent wasn’t a strong fit for an American actor.

Butler would be making history as the first American James Bond actor. When you look back at all eight actors who have played the legacy character, not all of them were British. Sean Connery was Scottish, George Lazenby is Australian, and Pierce Brosnan is Irish. So the Zoey 101 actor could represent the States taking on the role. However, the role of James Bond has traditionally been cast for actors in UK-based countries. It doesn’t mean, though, that the Dune 2 actor wouldn’t make a great secret agent someday. It could just mean playing a role of his own outside of the 007 series.

If Austin Butler were to play James Bond one of these days, it would be really hard for me to envision him in this role without thinking of the Elvis voice popping out saying those iconic action movie quotes. But if Butler didn’t use his Elvis voice for his villainous role in Dune 2, I think he’s capable of dropping it to play a secret agent. Then again, Elvis Presley himself playing a secret agent wouldn’t have been a shot in the dark back then either, and something I would have liked to have seen.

You can watch Austin Butler’s versatile acting in the 2024 movie release of Dune 2. You can also hear Butler’s Elvis shine through splendidly in Elvis available on your Max subscription. 

Austin Butler is all lined up to have a monster 2024. His star has been on the rise for a while now – playing a would-be murderer in Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon A Time In Hollywood in 2019 and the titular role in Baz Luhrmann's Elvis from 2022 – but this year is set to be special. We've already seen him star in the acclaimed Apple TV+ miniseries Masters Of The Air, and he has been earning raves from critics for his performance as the psychopathic Feyd-Rautha in Denis Villeneuve's Dune: Part Two. But if you think the awesomeness is stopping there, think again, as we are now just a few months away from the arrival of Jeff Nichols' The Bikeriders, and the new trailer for the hyped thriller just arrived online.

Based on the book of the same name by Danny Lyon, The Bikeriders is an immersion into the world of a motorcycle gang called The Vandals in the 1960s Midwest, and it follows the story of a group of members over the course of a decade. If what we see in this trailer is anything to go by, it should end up being one of the more thrilling movies that we end up seeing on the big screen this year, and with that excellent Rolling Stones song choice, the preview gives off an amazing Goodfellas vibe. In addition to Austin Butler, the film has a stellar cast that includes Jodie Comer, Tom Hardy, Michael Shannon, Damon Herriman, Boyd Holbrook, and The Walking Dead star Norman Reedus (who is looking absolutely wild). It's Jeff Nichols' first film since 2016 when he made both the sci-fi thriller Midnight Special and the "based on a true story" drama Loving.

The Bikeriders has had a strange ride on its way to theaters. After shooting in late 2022, the movie had its world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival last August, and it was all set to be released theatrically by 20th Century Studios in December. When it was unclear if the stars would be able to promote the release due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, however the title was taken off the release calendar, and it was eventually shopped to other distributors. Focus Features quickly jumped on the opportunity to release the film, and while 2023 was no longer an option on the table, it's now set to be one of this summer's most exciting titles hitting big screen.

Backed by a whole lot of great buzz, The Bikeriders will be heading to theaters everywhere on June 21 – a week after the release of Pixar's anticipated Inside Out 2 and the week before Kevin Costner's upcoming western epic Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1. For a deeper look into all of the features set to arrive on the big screen and on streaming services in the coming months, check out our 2024 Movie Release Calendar.

Is March too early for the best among 2024 movies to come out in theaters? According to what the first audiences are saying about Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part 2, it sure isn’t! The science-fiction epic, which was initially going to come out this past fall, has finally premiered, and many who have seen the new movie are throwing around “masterpiece” when talking about it. 

We’ve rounded up the first reactions to Dune: Part 2, and people are warmly receiving the second adaptation to Frank Herbert’s beloved novel so far. First off, check out what CinemaBlend’s very own Eric Eisenberg thinks about the upcoming release: 

As Eric Eisenberg shared on Twitter, he finds the sequel to be a “magical experience” that really matches his own experience reading the book in a really satisfying way. Eisenberg previously gave Dune a glowing 4.5 star review when it came out in 2021, and it looks like his review of the sequel will be very complementary to the latest Denis Villeneuve movie as well. CinemaBlend’s Sean O’Connell also caught the film early and wrote this: 

O’Connell’s comments tease more complexity from Dune: Part 2 that the 2021 setup couldn’t achieve on its own. While the CinemaBlend managing director admits he likes the first movie “slightly” more, he calls Part 2 a “towering achievement” in filmmaking. Here’s another one: 

Film critic Fico Cangiano on the other hand said Part 2 is actually better than the first movie! Now check out what Variety and The AV Club’s Courtney Howard had to say: 

Howard really delved into the performances of the Dune: Part 2 cast in her first reaction for the movie. She pointed out a lot of great acting throughout the film, but particularly shined a light on Florence Pugh for giving a “career best” performance as Princess Irulan. Now check out what Total Film’s Jordan Farley wrote: 

Those are some bold and very exciting words for Dune: Part 2. Lord of the Rings is thought of as one of the best adaptations of beloved books and best trilogies, so if Dune is on that level, fans should get really excited. (Plus, Villeneuve has shared plans to round out the franchise with Dune: Messiah next!) Here’s another reaction: 

If you’ve been counting back at home, that’s two big mentions of sandworm riding so far!! The cast have spoken about how they rode sandworms in the movie, and apparently the movie will really immerse one in the experience. And, if you don’t want to ride one, you can get in on one of those viral Dune sandworm popcorn buckets!!

While there’s love all around thus far for the second Dune movie, not everyone was coming out hot with positive praise. IndieWire’s David Ehrlich wrote: 

Even so, Ehrlich went on to say on Twitter that if you like the first one, he “can’t imagine you not liking this one too.”

So all and all, Dune: Part 2 looks like it’s going to be a blast. You can catch the movie when it arrives in theaters starting March 1. 

After many years as a child actor and taking on supporting roles, Austin Butler has found his way into becoming a household name. The actor’s role as Elvis was a star making performance, and he is now once of our most in-demand young stars. But a different movie was almost Butler’s breakout role, as he had the opportunity to audition for Top Gun: Maverick. Ultimately, he decided to step away from the possibility in order to join the cast of Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon A Time In Hollywood…, and now is explaining why he made that decision. 

Butler is currently in the process of promoting his new miniseries, Masters of the Air, and in doing so, sat down at The 92nd Street Y with Josh Horowitz for his Happy Sad Confused podcast. While he talked about the WWII drama, he also discussed some of his most career defining moments, including passing up on a screen-test for Top Gun: Maverick. He said (via People):

He ended up saying yes to the legendary director and had a small part in Once Upon A Time In Hollywood… as Tex. While the character is small, it is pivotal to the film. His character lives on the Mason Ranch and meets Brad Pitt when the character is being introduced to the community. There is something off about Tex and the way he behaves. Later, he tries to break into his home, during a murderous rampage with other members of the Manson family. Butler is perfectly creepy in the role, and fits right in with the rest of the strange Manson family members. 

The role Butler was up for was Rooster, which ended up being played by Miles Teller in Top Gun: Maverick. While the part is admittedly much larger than Butler’s role in Tarantino’s film, the decision to accept the role ended up having to do with an intense desire to work with the famed director, no matter how small the role was. He had also already met with Tarentino, which was a big influence on his decision, saying:

For many actors, working with Quentin Tarantino is a once in a lifetime opportunity, so passing up on the opportunity would’ve been almost impossible. There was no guarantee Butler would’ve landed a role in Top Gun: Maverick, as he was just in the screen test phase of the auditioning process. So for the actor, the decision was a no brainer. Miles Teller ended up being great in the high flying action film, and Butler was suited well for both Elvis and Once Upon A Time In Hollywood… it seems like both actors ended up making the best decision for them. When it comes to Hollywood, it’s hard to know when you are making the right career move, but looks like like the more personal decision for Butler was ultimately the right one. 

You can revisit Austin Butler’s performance in Once Upon A Time In Hollywood.., which is streaming now with a Hulu subscription. Fans can also see the actor in his latest project, Masters of the Air, which is available to stream for AppleTV+ subscribers. In addition, you can expect to see the Elvis actor in Dune Part 2 and The Bikeriders in cinemas soon, as both films are highly anticipated titles on the 2024 movie release schedule. 

The wait for Dune: Part Two to land on the 2024 movie schedule is getting ever shorter, and there’s plenty more that fans have not seen from Denis Villeneuve’s long awaited sequel. That’s nothing a new trailer can’t fix, and sure enough that’s exactly what’s drawn us together today. And not only do we have our best view of Florence Pugh’s Princess Irulan, but Austin Butler’s Feyd-Rautha looks absolutely insane.

Warner Bros has given the world a nice holiday gift through the release of this new Dune: Part Two footage. In-between the epic retelling of the grudges that are being waged on Arrakis, and scenes of Paul (Timotheé Chalamet) and Chani (Zendaya) getting close, these epic new players have become even more defined in our eyes. So let's talk about that craziness with Mr. Butler to start, shall we?

As one of the most ruthless figures in the Dune universe, the world has been waiting to see who would be playing Feyd-Rautha in this modern version of Frank Herbert’s sci-fi touchstone. With Sting infamously playing the role in the 1984 David Lynch film, the bar was set pretty high. Sure enough, Dune: Part Two’s announcement of Austin Butler’s casting last March has exceeded that crazy. 

With a blade in his hand and a tongue that looks just as sharp, the insanity looks like it’s coming in hot. But of course, Dune: Part Two's cast also includes Florence Pugh, as the daughter to Christopher Walken's Emperor Shaddam IV. And though it looks like Paul Atredies has his heart set on that young Fremen lass he met in 2021’s blockbuster origin story, there could always be a complication that makes his heart seem a bit more fickle. Especially when Ms. Pugh is in such absolutely stunning regal attire. 

The future still looks uncertain though, as even Paul seems to see “a narrow way through” to victory. What that path entails, and what cost it may incur, has yet to be seen. However, based on the other stuff we see in Dune: Part Two’s epic new trailer, Sandworms will definitely be involved. Which means that if you spring for the IMAX tickets to see this flick, your money is basically a sound investment; and a potentially terrifying one.

It's been a hell of a wait to see what the next chapter of Denis Villeneuve's planned Dune trilogy will bring next. Judging what's been shown to us all above, the wait for a potential Dune: Messiah just might be even more painful to endure. But at least this means we're all that much closer to seeing the middle installment we were promised so long ago.

Dune: Part Two heads to theaters in epic fashion, starting March 1, 2024! But if you’re ready to get back to the theater now, check out the upcoming movies that are still on the docket to open throughout the rest of this year. And if you want to go back and revisit Dune, you can do so with either a Max subscription, or in your quest to see what's new on Netflix! 

Baz Luhrmann often finds himself at the forefront of cutting-edge invention. His brilliant Moulin Rouge, still one of his best movies, mashed up period romance with contemporary love songs. He continued to experiment with music and time in the illustrious The Great Gatsby, with Leonardo DiCaprio in the lead, and then took the Elvis mythology for a spin in Elvis, a movie that earned eight Oscar nominations including Best Picture and Best Actor (for Austin Butler). You would think that a movie that earned a Best Picture nod and critical praise would be ideal in its current format. But that’s not how Luhrmann thinks. 

Baz Luhrmann is in the headlines recently for the Hulu series Faraway Downs, which essentially is the director’s 2008 feature Australia starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, only divided into episodes and enhanced with footage that he had to remove from the theatrical cut. This is not just “a longer version of Australia.” This has narrative turns that were removed from the story, and a different ending, restored after test audiences disapproved of what Luhrmann wanted to convey. And now that he has tried this approach to Australia, Luhrmann is planning to do the same to Elvis. 

During an exclusive interview with CinemaBlend about Faraway Downs, Luhrmann spoke about the process, and how it now has him thinking about his recent Best Picture nominee. And he said:

The Elvis story obviously is one that can survive numerous interpretations. Currently, Sofia Coppola has Priscilla in theaters, a tender drama that tells the Elvis myth from his teenage wife’s perspective. And damn, is Cailee Spaeny excellent in the role of Priscilla Presley. Baz Luhrmann focused heavily on the relationship between Elvis Presley (Austin Butler) and his manager, Col. Tom Parker (Tom Hanks)... who hardly shows up in Priscilla at all. That illustrates how easy it is to tell an Elvis story, but put your own stamp on it. 

Why, though, would Baz Luhrmann want to do this to Elvis, a movie that largely was well received? As he went on to tell us: 

I have zero problems with Baz Luhrmann taking his existing material and reworking it, either into a Director’s Cut feature film, or expanding it into a television series. If Luhrmann filmed enough for Elvis to break it into a multi-episode limited series the way that he did with Australia and Faraway Downs, more power to him – so long as the existing cut of Elvis that we fell in love with stays the same. Leave that as it is, and ALSO offer up an option, and we will watch both!

Have you ever caught a rerun of an older TV show and during the opening credits sequence, you spotted someone who made you say, “Hey, I know that person!”? This is actually a more common occurrence than you may realize, as there many A-list celebrities whose first IMDb credit (or one of the first) was a supporting role on a series long before they earned the honor of being a leading presence on the big (or small) screen. The following are some of our favorite examples of famous actors who appeared a bit further down the the line on the call sheet on a TV show when they were starting out.

Chris Pratt (Everwood)

Before Guardians of the Galaxy made him a leading man, Chris Pratt really began to gain traction from starring in the Parks and Recreation cast as Andy Dwyer. However, even earlier than that, he starred on a WB family drama called Everwood as high school joke Bright Abbott alongside fellow future MCU star Emily VanCamp, who played his sister, Amy.

Jennifer Lawrence (The Bill Engvall Show)

Before her Academy Award-nominated performance in 2010’s Winter’s Bone, her star-making role as Katniss in The Hunger Games and Oscar-winning turn in Silver Lining’s Playbook, Jennifer Lawrence was a sitcom star — specifically a cable network sitcom star. On The Bill Engvall Show, which lasted three seasons on TBS, she starred opposite the eponymous stand-up comedian as his on-screen alter ego’s teenage daughter, Lauren Pearson,

Austin Butler (Zoey 101)

The musical talents that earned Austin Butler the title role of Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis can be traced back to his part on Ruby & the Rockits, which lasted 10 episodes on ABC Family (now Freeform) in 2009. However, the Oscar nominee’s first major TV role was on the final season of Nickelodeon’s Zoey 101 as James Garrett — a character missing from Paramount+’s feature-length follow-up, Zoey 102.

Margot Robbie (Pan Am)

While her earliest role was actually the long-running soap opera, Neighbours — much like many other Aussie A-listers — we thought we would highlight American audiences’ first true introduction to Margot Robbie on Pan Am. An interesting fact about Robbie is that the future Oscar nominee and DC movies star was actually roommates with co-star Christina Ricci while playing 1960s-era flight attendant Laura Cameron on the short-lived ABC drama from 2011 to 2012.

Seth Rogen (Freaks And Geeks)

While still part of the main ensemble, Seth Rogen’s role as the initially arrogant Ken Miller pretty much got the short end of the stick amongst the Freaks and Geeks cast, for the most part. Ironically, Rogen, arguably, went on to become the painfully short-lived coming-of-age dramedy’s biggest star, which is really saying something, given his co-stars include Jason Segel, Linda Cardellini, and John Francis Daley.

Brie Larson (Raising Dad)

A notable moment in Academy Award winner Brie Larson’s evolution from child star to modern A-list actor was her role as the late Bob Saget’s youngest on-screen daughter on Raising Dad — a sitcom that ran for one season on The WB (now The CW) in the early 2000s. Following her success as the MCU’s Captain Marvel, Larson returned to TV in 2023 — reprising her Scott Pilgrim vs. the World role for Netflix’s animated series reboot, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, and leading the Lessons in Chemistry cast for Apple TV+.

Leonardo DiCaprio (Growing Pains)

While doing press for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt recalled how they both appeared on the hit ABC sitcom Growing Pains much earlier in their career. Of course, Pitt had a one-episode guest appearance while the Oscar-winning The Revenant star and Titanic cast member had a prominent role as Luke Brewer — a homeless teen taken in by the Seavers in Season 7. 

Ana De Armas (The Boarding School)

One of the films that earned Academy Award nominee Ana de Armas a spot on the A-list was Rian Johnson’s hit whodunit, Knives Out, from 2019. More than a decade earlier, the Cuban-born actor landed a role on a coming-of-age mystery TV show called El Internado (or The Boarding School), which originally aired in Spain from 2007 to 2010.

Michael B. Jordan (The Wire)

After getting his start as a Toys ‘R Us kid, the fascinating Michael B. Jordan made his official acting debut on an episode of The Sopranos, but later landed a more prominent role on another acclaimed, gritty HBO series in 2002. He appeared amongst The Wire cast as Wallace — an orphan whose tragic story had a profound impact on the Emmy-nominated series beyond his 13-episode stint.

Anne Hathaway (Get Real)

Anne Hathaway fans should know that before she broke into the mainstream by leading Disney’s The Princess Diaries cast, the Academy Award winner made her acting debut on a 1999 Fox TV show called Get Real as a high school senior who shocks her family with the decision to refuse college. Coincidentally, the short-lived dramedy was also the debut of Hathaway’s Rio co-star, Jesse Eisenberg, and was an early gig for NCIS' Eric Christian Olsen as well.

Denzel Washington (St. Elsewhere)

With two Oscars to his name, it’s hard to imagine a TV screen big enough to contain the talent of one Denzel Washington, yet it was a TV show that helped launched the young actor’s career in the early 1980s. Following his official debut in the 1977 TV movie Wilma, the future Training Day lead played Dr. Philip Chandler on NBC’s hit medical drama, St. Elsewhere.

Michelle Williams (Dawson's Creek)

For years, Michelle Williams was known best from the Dawson’s Creek cast as Jen Lindley. Now — after receiving multiple Academy Award nominations for acclaimed dramas like Manchester by the Sea and Steven Spielberg’s The Fabelmans — that role on the hit teen drama is, typically, among the last things mentioned in regards to her career.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt (3rd Rock From The Sun)

As a child actor, Joseph Gordon-Levitt starred in some good movies and made a few notable TV guest appearances before landing his first successful series regular gig with 3rd Rock from the Sun. He played the eldest member of a group of extra-terrestrial visitors, and the character resembles a teenager in human form on the Emmy-winning sci-fi sitcom.

George Clooney (The Facts Of Life)

As a TV star, George Clooney is best known from his main role on the popular ‘90s show, ER, on which he played Doug Ross. Much earlier, however, the future two-time Oscar winner had a memorable recurring role on Diff’rent Strokes' (very different) spin-off, The Facts of Life, as George Burnett — a carpenter who would become close to the girls living under Mrs. Garrett’s roof.

Woody Harrelson (Cheers)

With multiple Academy Award nominations to his name, Woody Harrelson is known today as one of Hollywood’s most versatile movie stars, but his first big break came when he joined the Cheers cast in the mid-1980s. In fact, he won his first Emmy Award for playing the naive, but lovable, Woody Byrd, whom Sam (Ted Danson) hires on as a new barkeep following he death of Coach (Nicholas Colasanto).

Jason Bateman (Little House On The Prairie)

At least before he led Netflix’s Ozark cast, Jason Bateman has always best known on the small screen as a sitcom star, with his roles as David Hogan on Valerie (later changed to The Hogan Family) and Michael Bluth on Arrested Development being the famous examples. However, his very first gig was playing James Cooper Ingalls for 21 episodes of Little House on the Prairie during the early 1980s.

Don Cheadle (The Golden Palace)

An early Don Cheadle role you may have forgotten about was featured on a TV show spin-off you may not have heard of, either. The future Academy Award nominee and MCU actor starred alongside most of the Golden Girls cast on The Golden Palace as Roland Wilson — the young manager of the titular hotel where the short-lived sitcom took place. 

Jason Momoa (Baywatch)

Even long before he landed the role of Aquaman in the DC movies, Jason Momoa was no stranger to saving lives in the water. The Hawaiian-born actor made his debut in his home state when he joined the Baywatch cast as a character also named Jason from 1999 to 2001.

Marisa Tomei (A Different World)

We know her from her Academy Award-winning role in My Cousin Vinny as Mona Lisa Vito (who she'd love to revisit) or as Peter Parker’s (reinvented) Aunt May in the MCU, to name a few examples. Yet before many people knew who Marisa Tomei was, she was on the first season of The Cosby Show spin-off, A Different World, as Hillman student Maggie Lauten.

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (The Get Down)

One interesting fact about Yahya Abdul-Mateen II: before he was an Emmy-winning DC TV show star (for playing Cal Abar on HBO’s Watchmen) and a scene-stealing DC movie villain (Black Manta in Aquaman), he worked as a San Francisco city planner until he was laid off in 2010. The role that first helped him make a name for himself as an actor was night club owner Clarene “Cadillac” Caldwell in Netflix’s musical period drama series, The Get Down, from co-creator Baz Luhrmann.

Alexandra Daddario (All My Children)

Speaking to Women’s Health in 2022, Alexandra Daddario recalls that she was fired from the long-running daytime soap opera, All My Children, which she actually found to be a liberating, educational experience. It led to seek improvement in her acting skills and pave the way for her to breakthrough in the Percy Jackson movies, give an Emmy-nominated performance as part of the HBO’s The White Lotus cast, and star in many other notable works.

Adam Driver (Girls)

Without Lena Dunham, there might not be a Kylo Ren — or at least, the memorable version of the Sith Lord we got in the hands Adam Driver. The former Marine’s scene-stealing role on HBO’s Girls as Adam Sackler is what got Hollywood to take notice of his talent, leading to his casting in the Star Wars movies and his Oscar-nominated performances in BlacKkKlansman and Marriage Story.

Melissa McCarthy (Gilmore Girls)

Gilmore Girls proved to be a launch pad for many A-listers — few of which would blow up quite like Melissa McCarthy, who played Sookie St. James on the hit dramedy.  She later won an Emmy for her leading role on the CBS sitcom Mike & Molly and received an Academy Award nomination for her supporting role as a member of the Bridesmaids cast. And that film skyrocketed her to the A-list as a trusted name in comedy and more.

Drake (Degrassi: The Next Generation)

One of the most memorable and important characters from Degrassi: The Next Generation is Jimmy Brooks, who served as an inspirational representation for wheelchair users on the long-running Canadian coming-of-age drama. The role was played by an actor named Aubrey Graham, who still acts on occasion — an Anchorman 2 cameo, for instance — but primarily performs as a rapper under the moniker Drake.

Kiernan Shipka (Mad Men)

At just eight years old, Kiernan Shipka proved to be a stand-out alongside AMC’s Mad Men cast with her performance as Sally Draper. She later went on to lead her own TV show (Netflix’s Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) and headline movies like Amazon Prime’s horror-comedy, Totally Killer and The Silence.

Ryan Reynolds (Fifteen)

Despite his many earnest roles over the years, it may be hard to picture Ryan Reynolds as anything other than the smarmy goof he plays in the likes of the Deadpool movies and National Lampoon’s Van Wilder, for instance. Perhaps watching him make his debut in the Canadian coming-of-age drama Fifteen will help audiences see another side of him.

Tommy Lee Jones (One Life To Live)

It is amazing to think about how many acclaimed and even legendary actors started out on soap operas, such as Tommy Lee Jones. One of the earliest roles for the Academy Award-winning star of The Fugitive and the Men in Black movies was the ill-fated Mark Toland on One Life to Live from 1971 to 1975.

John Travolta (Welcome Back, Kotter)

Before his Academy Award-nominated role in 1977’s Saturday Night Fever — and its fantastic movie soundtrack — made him one of the biggest stars of all time, John Travolta was better known by another name: Vinnie Barbarino. That was the future Pulp Fiction cast member’s character on Welcome Back, Kotter — a hit sitcom that never made it to 100 episodes. He practically stole the show from star and co-creator Gabe Kaplan with his famous catchphrase, “Up your nose with a rubber hose!”

Jennifer Love Hewitt (Kids Incorporated)

Her role as Sarah Reeves on the original Party of Five may have made Jennifer Love Hewitt a teen idol, but it was not her first major TV gig. The Ghost Whisperer star was 10 when she demonstrated her multiple talents on Disney Channel’s Kids Incorporated, which focuses on the lives of a group of young artists who perform live music at a club for children.

Benedict Cumberbatch (Fortysomething)

It was his eponymous role on the modern crime drama Sherlock that made Benedict Cumberbatch a nigh-unpronounceable household name, but his first starring role on a TV series was Fortysomething. The MCU’s Doctor Strange actor played the on-screen son of none other than House’s Hugh Laurie on the English dramedy that lasted six episodes.

Jared Leto (My So-Called Life)

In one of the best ‘90s shows that ended too soon, My So-Called Life, Jared Leto portrayed what would become his first iconic role: high school heartthrob Jordan Catalano. The much celebrated coming-of-age drama also marked one for the first times the future Academy Award winner acted alongside his sibling and Thirty Seconds to Mars bandmate, Shannon.

Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Passions)

Movie star Mary Elizabeth Winstead has more than a few very notable small-screen roles — such as a leading stint in Fargo Season 3 and Hera Syndulla alongside the Ahsoka cast for Disney+. The Scott Pilgrim vs. The World cast member’s earliest major TV gig, however, was on the supernatural soap opera Passions.

For any TV actors out there hoping one day to make it onto the big screen, let these stories serve as proof that your dreams may not be far away from becoming a reality.

Less than a year after Austin Butler earned his first Oscar nomination for portraying The King in Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis -- which also got eight total nominations and box office success -- another movie about Elvis was released on the 2023 movie calendar. Sofia Coppola adapted Priscilla Presley’s memoir with Priscilla, as it stars Jacob Elordi as the Love Me Tender singer. Since its release, fans have been pitting the actors against each other, but we finally found the perfect way to sum it all up. 

One tweet perfectly explains the whole thing. We’re about to break it down, but here’s the Twitter post that wraps up the differences between the Elvis performances well: 

In recent weeks, the tweet has gone viral for the hilarious differences the actors have when it comes to playing Elvis Presley on the big screen through news outlet headlines. In the case of Austin Butler’s Elvis, one headline highlighted the actor’s intensity around the role by sharing that he “didn’t see his family for three years” to shoot the movie in Australia alongside Tom Hanks. On the other end of the spectrum is Jacob Elordi, who recently admitted he only knew about The King via Disney’s Lilo & Stitch while on the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

The tweet highlights a night-and-day approach between the two actors that fans have been having a blast talking about as Elordi has been promoting Priscilla. While Butler made a lot of headlines last year for his deep commitment to portraying the famous singer for Baz Luhrmann’s movie, Elordi has notably taken a more casual approach to the whole thing. 

As another Twitter user noted, the productions of Elvis and Priscilla had completely different approaches as well. Luhrmann’s movie was an $85 million project that initially began production in January 2020, and was caught in the middle of COVID-19’s beginnings when Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson tested positive for the virus just ahead of lockdowns across the globe. The film then resumed production later that year before wrapping in early 2021.

And of course, who can forget that time during awards season when the public noticed Austin Butler’s own speaking voice had morphed into one that actually sounds like Elvis? The actor’s voice coach defended the whole thing, sharing that it was very possible that after he had worked on the voice change for three years, it might have actually become part of his actual voice, especially since the larynx apparently doesn’t stabilize in a person until their early 30s, and Butler is 31. 

After Austin Butler went viral for his lingering Elvis voice, he promised he would get rid of the accent whilst sharing he had probably “damaged” his vocal cords. Now, Priscilla on the other hand was filmed in a matter of a month late last year on a much smaller, reported $20 million production budget. Talk about major differences.

Priscilla has received rave reviews, but the star of the movie is Cailee Spaeny because of her breakthrough performance as Elvis’ wife. It’s playing in theaters now. 

Although Austin Butler first came to prominence in the mid-to-late 2000s from his early performances on TV shows like Zoey 101 and Ruby & the Rockits, the last several years have seen him morph into a bonafide movie star thanks to the likes of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Elvis, the latter of which netted him an Academy Award nomination. Next year, Butler will venture into sci-fi territory with Dune: Part Two, and the actor has talked about how the “terror of the challenge” led to him agreeing to play Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen, one of the 2024 movie release’s prominent new characters.

Butler was first reported to be in talks to play Baron Vladimir Harkonnen’s youngest nephew back in March 2022, five months after it was confirmed filmmaker Denis Villenuve would get to chronicle the second half of Frank Herbert’s classic 1965 novel on the big screen. Butler’s casting was confirmed shortly thereafter, and as the actor recalled while chatting with Dune: Part Two costar Josh Brolin for Interview Magazine, although he was nervous to play the role, it’s fear that is now one of the primary factors to him joining a project:

Austin Butler is the third actor to play Feyd-Rautha, following behind Sting in David Lynch’s Dune and Matt Keeslar in the Frank Herbert’s Dune TV miniseries. Even though a script wasn’t ready by the time he met with Denis Villeneuve, he was already feeling the pressure of playing this character, but that was more than enough incentive for him to decide Dune: Part Two was worth doing. After all, terror is what motivated him while he was performing in Elvis (which can be viewed with a Max subscription), with the actor continuing:

While the public still has a ways to go to see Butler’s performance in Dune: Part Two, there’s already quite a bit of hype surrounding it. Villeneuve likened it to a snake, Mick Jagger and more, and Stephen McKinley Henderson, another member of the next Dune movie’s cast, said that Butler was “quite chilling” as Feyd-Rautha. Other newcomers who will appear in Part Two include Florence Pugh, Christopher Walken and Léa Seydoux, and Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Javier Bardem, Stellan Skarsgård and Dave Bautista are among the other returning faces.

Dune: Part Two opens in theaters on March 15, 2024. If you’d like to revisit Denis Villeneuve’s first Dune movie, it can be accessed either on Max or with a Netflix subscription. Austin Butler is also set to star opposite Tom Hardy in The Bikeriders, but that’s now been removed from the 2023 movies calendar after previously being set for December 1.

The sands are shifting, and the anticipation for the second installment of Denis Villeneuve’s grand cinematic odyssey, Dune: Part Two, is rising like a sandworm in the vast desert of my excitement. While the first part of the adaptation of Frank Herbert’s sci-fi masterpiece introduced us to the epic world of Arrakis and its intricate politics, it’s the whispers of praise from co-stars and crew about Austin Butler’s upcoming performance that have caught my attention. During a recent chat, Villeneuve dropped some intriguing comparisons to a snake, Mick Jagger, and even a psychopath that has left me even more eager to witness the Elvis performer’s work unfold on the silver screen.

Austin Butler is taking on the role of Feyd-Rautha, the younger nephew and heir of Baron Vladimir Harkonnen and a skilled assassin known for his ruthless behavior, deceitful tactics, and cunning intellect. While speaking with Empire, Denis Villeneuve offered some striking comparisons that shed light on what we should expect from the Shannara Chronicles alum's portrayal of the villain. Villeneuve's knack for imaginative analysis was on full display as he described Butler's performance: 

Now, if that doesn't whet your appetite for what's to come, I don't know what will! The Sicario director's comments hint at a concoction of almost paradoxical qualities, blending danger and allure, precision and chaos. The fusion of a psychopath's demeanor with the elegance of an Olympic sword master is a collision I didn’t know I needed but, now, I'm even more pumped for the A-lister's role in the upcoming sequel.

In March 2022, news initially emerged about Austin Butler potentially joining the stacked Dune: Part Two cast, closely followed by reports of Florence Pugh being eyed for Princess Irulan. In the weeks that followed, both of their castings were officially confirmed. Joining them in the lineup of newcomers for the sci-fi follow-up are Christopher Walken as Emperor Shaddam IV, Léa Seydoux as Lady Margot, Souheila Yacoub as Shishakli and Tim Blake Nelson in a role that's yet to be revealed.

I've been eagerly looking forward to seeing Austin Butler's performance on the big screen but, unfortunately, our wait for the sequel has grown a bit longer. Part Two has been officially delayed amid the ongoing SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes. The highly anticipated second installment of the sci-fi saga has secured a new spot on the 2024 movie schedule. Instead of its initial November 3rd theater debut, it's now slated to hit screens on March 15, 2024. As disappointing as that is, considering Denis Villeneuve's description of Butler's take on the material, the wait will definitely be worthwhile when the film finally arrives in theaters.

If you're interested, you can use the extended wait time to watch the first Dune using a Max subscription -- not to be confused with David Lynch's 1984 film, which is available to Netflix subscribers.

It’s been a little over a year since Austin Butler starred as Elvis’ titular singer, a role that netted him a Golden Globe win and and Academy Award nomination. Now we’re only a few months away from him returning to the big screen for Dune: Part Two, where he plays Feyd-Rautha, the youngest nephew of Stellan Skarsgård’s Baron Vladimir Harkonnen. Like his uncle and brother Glossu Rabban, played by Dave Bautista, Feyd-Rautha is by no means a good guy, but Butler’s costar Stephen McKinley Henderson talked about how kind the younger actor was to him in the midst of praising the Elvis Presley actor’s latest performance.

Henderson is reprising Thufir Hawat in Dune: Part Two, with the Mentat now being forced to serve House Harkonnen following the destruction of House Atreides in the first movie. So although Feyd-Rautha treats Thufir deplorably, Butler treated Henderson quite decently when the cameras stopped rolling, as the latter recalled while speaking on the This Is Purdue podcast:

It’s good to hear that Austin Butler treated Stephen McKinley Henderson so kindly when they weren’t performing rather than going too method with the role and maintaining an unpleasant personality even after a scene was done shooting. That said, now I’m eager to see just how cruelly Feyd-Rautha treats Thufir Hawat during Dune: Part Two. As the extremely selfish individual who’s intended to take over House Harkonnen someday, it goes without saying that Butler’s version of Feyd-Rautha, just like the original version of the character from Frank Herbert’s novel, treats most around him disrespectfully. From the way Henderson was talking, it sounds like Thufir earns an especially big amount of Feyd-Rautha’s contempt.

Austin Butler was first reported to be in the running to play Feyd-Rautha back in March 2022, just a few days after it was said that Florence Pugh was being eyed to play Princess Irulan. Both their castings were confirmed weeks later, and the other newcomers in Dune: Part Two’s cast include Christopher Walken as Emperor Shaddam IV, Léa Seydoux as Lady Margot, Souheila Yacoub as Shishakli and Tim Blake Nelson in an undisclosed role. The lineup of familiar faces reuniting with director Denis Villeneuve besides Henderson, Skarsgård and Bautista includes Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin and Charlotte Rampling.

Dune: Part Two is still set for a November 3 arrival on the 2023 movie release schedule. In the meantime, both Dune and Elvis can be streamed with a Max subscription, and be sure to read about what we’re most excited to see in the sci-fi epic sequel. 

Last week, the audiences gathered in The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas for CinemaCon got to witness the first footage from Denis Villeneuve's Dune: Part 2, but it won't be long before audiences everywhere get to witness the preview of the sci-fi epic. Though the blockbuster won't be released until November, the first ever trailer is set to arrive tomorrow... and what's even more exciting right now is that we have a sneak peek at the characters being played by Florence Pugh and Austin Butler.

Warner Bros. has released a teaser for the Dune: Part 2 trailer on Instagram, and it includes quick flashes of nearly every major character – including Florence Pugh's Princess Irulan and Austin Butler's Feyd-Rautha. Check it out below:

For your convenience, we've taken screenshots of the two characters so that you can get a closer look. Below is Florence Pugh donning a beautiful headdress as the daughter of Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV, who is a key part of the story in Dune: Part 2 – particularly the ending.

And here is a frightful look at Austin Butler as Feyd-Rautha, the dashing but psychotic member of House Harkonnen who will be introduced in Dune: Part 2. In the movie, he will succeed the  sadistic and cruel rule of Glossu "Beast" Rabban (Dave Bautista) on Arrakis, the idea being that the oppressed Fremen would view him as a savior:

That's certainly a very different look than what David Lynch's Dune went with back in 1984 with Sting in the role... not to mention quite the deviation from Austin Butler's look in Baz Luhrmann's Elvis.

When it comes to new faces in the expansive Dune: Part 2 cast, we're still waiting to get our first glimpse at Christopher Walken as the aforementioned Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV and Léa Seydoux as Lady Margot, but that will hopefully be a treat delivered by tomorrow's trailer.

Adapting the second half of Frank Herbert's beloved novel and picking up from where 2021's Dune left off, Dune: Part 2 will follow the journey of Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) and Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) as they make a home among the Fremen and raise an army so that the people of the Arrakis can fight back against the evil and cruel House Harkonnen and the corrupt galactic empire.

Look for the Dune: Part 2 trailer here on CinemaBlend tomorrow (along with our follow-up coverage), and check out our Quick Things guide for the blockbuster to discover everything you need to know before the star-studded sequel hits theaters. Also starring Zendaya, Josh Brolin, Javier Bardem, Stellan Skarsgård, Stephen McKinley Henderson, and Charlotte Rampling (all reprising their respective roles from Part 1), the movie will be arriving in theaters everywhere on November 3.

The Elvis voice has become quite the point of conversation this awards season. Many, including Austin Butler, have weighed in on why and if he still talks like the titular rockstar he played. Now, another actor on the 2023 Oscar nominee list is giving her two cents on the matter. Angela Bassett has also played a music icon with a distinct voice, and she explained that while she understands why her fellow nominee hasn’t lost his accent, it’s possible, and you have to  “bid it farewell” at some point.  

Following her nomination for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Bassett was reflecting on her career with The New Yorker, and she spoke about the time she played Tina Turner. The journalist brought up Austin Butler and Elvis considering he’s also a nominee, and how both actors had to do a lot of work on their accents. The actress reflected on her time playing Turner, and how hard it was to lose her accent. She sympathized with Butler, and how he hasn’t lost his accent yet, saying:

I totally get why Bassett is able to relate so deeply to what Butler is going through, and also why she seemed fairly adamant that he needs to let it go at some point. She played Turner in the 1993 movie What’s Love Got to Do with It. This served as a pivotal moment in her career as she went on to win a Golden Globe for her performance and nab her first Oscar nod, sound familiar? It should, because Austin Butler has gone through essentially the same thing this year. 

Considering how distinct Elvis’ voice is, admittedly it’s a bit odd that Butler is still talking like The King. However, he also lived in the role for three years while making the movie. So, when you use an accent for so long, as he’s said, it naturally becomes a part of you. 

While Butler has been on the awards circuit and still seems to have the Elvis accent, it’s been confirmed he’s not using it on his upcoming project. His Dune: Part Two co-star Dave Bautista explained the Elvis voice is not used in the highly anticipated sequel on the 2023 movie schedule. So, he may be using it now, but it won't be present on the big screen the next time we see him acting.

So, it sounds like the accent might be on its way out, and as Bassett said, Butler seems to be bidding it farewell.

If you would like to see why Butler has the voice he has now and an Oscar nomination, you can stream Elvis with an HBO Max subscription. You can also check out Angela Bassett’s performance that earned her a historic Academy Award nod by watching Black Panther: Wakanda Forever with a Disney+ subscription.

Growing up in the city where the phrase “Elvis has left the building” was first uttered, it should go without saying that I’ve long been awfully familiar with the “King of Rock and Roll” as statues, murals, and banners around town never let me forget the connection. I have always been a fan of Elvis Presley’s music, especially everything from his “comeback” stage, and so I had no reason to not watch Baz Luhrmann’s biographical drama about the pop culture legend.

But I didn't. I kept putting off seeing it on the big screen, and though I have been able to use my HBO Max subscription to watch Elvis, starring Austin Butler, streaming for the past few months, I just let it sit in my queue with dozens of other movies and shows I haven’t made time for yet. Well, I can finally say I watched the 2023 Oscar-nominated movie, and I loved it (mostly, anyway). 

Here are some thoughts I had after watching one of the best music biopics I’ve seen in years.

Austin Butler’s Version Of Elvis Presley Is Something We’re Going To Be Talking About For A Long Time

Let me tell you something, Austin Butler not only put on one of the best performances of 2022, his portrayal of Elvis Presley was one of most riveting displays of acting talent I’ve seen in years. That being said, I think we’re going to be talking about Butler’s showing in Elvis for years. There were times throughout the movie where the lines between actor and character were blurred to such a degree that it was hard to tell if I was watching a biopic or a documentary, and not just because of the stellar hair, makeup, and costumes.

Butler’s prolonged use of the “Elvis” voice has been derided the past few months, but I honestly think Butler spent so much time getting into character and losing himself to the role that the star became a part of him. With the similar life experiences he had with the “King,” it’s easy to see how this could happen. 

Baz Luhrmann Took The Biographical Drama Genre In A Whole Other Direction, And I Love It

There have been countless music-based biographical dramas over the years, with great titles like Walk the Line and What’s Love Got to Do with It? quickly coming to mind. But while those two, and multiple other Oscar-nominated biopics have taken a more direct approach to the music icons they covered, Baz Luhrmann took a completely different direction and created something ambitious, unique, and magical that captured the very essence of Elvis Presley.

Much like he did with The Great Gatsby a decade ago, Luhrmann created this manic state and sense of wonder that perfectly encapsulated the feelings and attitudes of the era. Scenes like Elvis walking down Beale Street, his Las Vegas shows, and even his time at the Louisiana Hayride went above and beyond a retelling of Presley’s life and career, and instead created a movie unlike anything else. 

The Louisiana Hayride Scene Was Amazing, And Not Just Because It Was Set In My Hometown

Okay, I have to talk about the Louisiana Hayride scene in Elvis and not just because it was set in my hometown. Early on in the movie, we get our first glimpse of the hysteria surrounding Elvis and the way he could turn a crowd into a frenzy with his devilish good looks, the “wiggle of his hips,” and undeniable stage presence. The various reactions he draws from the crowd is something else, ranging from frantic cries from girls overcome by his presence to homophobic comments from jealous boyfriends in the crowd, as well as his own mother being fearful for her son’s life.

Add in the narration by Tom Hanks’ Colonel Tom Parker and you have a creative and incredibly crafted scene that pulls off so much in such a short amount of time.

I Can’t Stop Thinking About What Elvis’ Career And Life Would Have Been Like Without Colonel Parker’s Influence 

I have always wondered what would have come of the singer/movie star's career, and life in general, if he hadn’t been wrapped up with Colonel Tom Parker and was able to break away from his longtime manager, and now so more than ever after watching Elvis. There’s a good chance he wouldn’t have joined the Army, probably wouldn’t have started acting, and most likely wouldn’t have fallen into a state of severe drug abuse that cut his life short.

Throughout the movie, he talks about going on international tours, working with different music artists, and being free, only to have his dreams squashed by Parker and his controlling ways. But at the same time, would Elvis have had the level of success he had after working with Parker? This is an answer we’ll sadly never get.

Tom Hanks’ Accent Was A Choice

Let me start off by saying Tom Hanks is one of my favorite actors of all time and someone I’ve always admired. However, his accent in Elvis was so bad it kept taking me out of the movie. While it’s not the worst accent I’ve heard in a movie, it just doesn’t make a whole lot of sense considering the real Colonel Tom Parker didn’t speak with what Variety called a “mysterious European-American accent.” Just watch any interviews with Parker, including a 1987 chat on ABC's Nightline where Elvis’ former manager spoke with a southern accent.

Sure, Hanks and Luhrmann made a choice to use this accent based on Parker's dubious history, but it was a choice that did more harm than good, and honestly knocks the performance down a peg or two.

I’m Pretty Sure The Real Elvis Didn’t Fire His Manager From The Stage, But That Scene Was Killer

Luhrmann and company took a lot of liberties when it came to several events in Presley's life, including one of the most powerful scenes in the entire movie. Following the film’s release in June 2022, USA Today published an article fact-checking key scenes, including the one where a fed up Elvis fires Parker during the middle of a concert at the International Hotel. In the piece, Parker’s biographer, Alanna Nash, pointed out that he did fire the manager, just not in the manner depicted on screen.

Despite not being factual, the scene was one of the best in the movie and finally saw an overworked and unappreciated Elvis stand up to the man who had controlled his life and treated him like a meal ticket for nearly two decades at that point. It was yet another great showcase of Butler’s talent.

That Final Performance Of ‘Unchained Melody’ Is Worth The Price Of A Ticket Alone

“Unchained Melody” has long been one of my favorite Presley songs, and somehow I have an even greater appreciation for it after watching the final scene in Elvis. Following his death, Parker talks about the last time he saw the legend perform and how a man who could barely walk and utter a sentence without losing his breath put on an amazing performance.

This scene is an almost shot-for-shot re-creation of “Elvis in Concert,” a CBS special that aired after his passing, which is great in itself. But it reaches new heights and brings everything full circle when scenes of his life from throughout the movie are cut with actual footage of the man himself. Simply brilliant.

 Elvis is up for eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor, and there’s a good chance it could leave the ceremony with some major hardware. You can watch this film and other Oscar-nominated movies streaming before the big show kicks off on Sunday, March 12, 2023.

Stream Elvis on HBO Max.