Austin Butler Discusses Mislabeling as Method Actor: "I Can Become Overly Dedicated"

In Darren Aronofsky's latest film, set in 1998 New York City, Austin Butler delivers a powerful performance as Hank Thompson. The actor, known for his role in Baz Luhrmann's 2022 film Elvis, immerses himself in his roles but does not necessarily follow a method acting approach.

Butler, who plays Thompson alongside a star-studded cast including Zoë Kravitz, Regina King, Liev Schreiber, Matt Smith, and Vincent D’Onofrio, has been praised for his dedication to the craft. During the filming of "Caught Steeling", Butler performed his own stunts, including running away from cars, being beaten up, and getting slammed into a wooden table.

Despite being labeled as a method actor, Butler clarified at the New York City premiere that he does not use the term to describe his acting process. However, he did express admiration for actors who go method, stating that he enjoys immersing himself in his roles.

Butler's character, Hank Thompson, is a former star high school baseball player who turned to bartending after a car accident. One of Thompson's storylines involves looking after his neighbor's cat named Tonic while the neighbor is out of town.

In the film, Liev Schreiber and Vincent D'Onofrio play violent hitmen, while Nikita Kukushkin and Bad Bunny portray crime bosses. Regina King plays detective Roman, adding another layer of intrigue to the complex narrative.

Butler's intense performance in "Caught Steeling" has not gone unnoticed. After filming wrapped, he was rushed to the hospital due to the physical demands of the role. Despite the challenges, Butler expressed concerns about becoming too obsessive with his roles and finding a balance in life.

Austin Butler's dedication to his craft is evident in his transformative performance in "Caught Steeling". The film, now out in theaters, promises to be an engaging and thrilling watch for audiences.