Austin Butler spent a night sleeping in his character’s apartment set for the new movie Caught Stealing. He did this to feel more connected to his role. He woke up to the film crew entering the set while he was in his underwear. This happened during the making of the thriller where Butler plays a former baseball player.
Butler is known for his deep commitment to his roles. He told Variety that staying overnight on the set helped him believe he actually lived there. He played music, danced, and ate Chinese food in the apartment before going to sleep. This method helped him ignore the fact that it was a movie set with lights and cameras.
Caught Stealing is directed by Darren Aronofsky. The film is set to be released in theaters on August 29, 2025. It features an all-star cast including Zoë Kravitz, Regina King, and Matt Smith. The story follows a simple cat-sitting job that leads to dangerous criminal adventures in 1990s New York City.
Why Austin Butler Slept on the Set
Austin Butler wanted to make the movie set feel like a real home. Movie sets often have bright lights and no ceilings to make filming easier. This can make it hard for an actor to feel like they are in a real place. Butler decided to sleep in the set to create a stronger sense of reality for his character.
“For one night, I had the whole apartment to myself,” he says. “I played music, I danced around, and I ate Chinese food in there. It made me feel like I really lived there. I slept there all night, and I woke up to the crew coming in while I was in my underwear.”
Butler explained that many things on a movie set can break the illusion of reality. He said tricking himself into believing the setting was real was important for his performance. This approach allowed him to deliver a more genuine and believable character.
Getting into Character Physically and Mentally
Butler’s character, Hank Thompson, is a former baseball player who becomes a bartender. Hank is no longer in peak physical shape. To prepare for the role, Butler needed to look like an athlete who had let himself go. He worked out but also drank a lot of beer to gain what he called a “certain thickness.”
“He needed to have the physicality of somebody who was an elite athlete, but who was no longer in peak physical shape. I wanted to have a certain thickness. So I worked out, but I also drank a lot of beer.”
Butler also shared that playing a character so similar to himself was challenging. He is naturally shy and usually hides behind the characters he plays. This role made him feel vulnerable because he had nowhere to hide. He had to find the good heart within his flawed character to avoid judging him.
Director Darren Aronofsky’s Guidance
Director Darren Aronofsky often advised Butler to relax and not work so hard. Aronofsky wanted a certain looseness in Butler’s performance. He recognized Butler’s tendency to go deep into his roles but needed a more laid-back approach for this film.
“Austin goes really deep,” Aronofsky says. “In fact, I often asked him to work a little less hard and to relax a little bit because I wanted a certain looseness.”
Aronofsky also explained that Caught Stealing is a throwback to a different kind of movie. It is about a normal person people can relate to, not a superhero. He wanted to create a film that is entertaining and fun, set in a simpler time.
What is Caught Stealing About?
Caught Stealing is based on a popular graphic novel by Charlie Huston. The story is set in the late 1990s. It follows Hank Thompson, a burned-out ex-baseball player who tends bar in New York City. His life turns chaotic when he agrees to watch his neighbor’s cat.
Suddenly, he finds himself caught in a war between the police, the Russian mob, and Hasidic hitmen. Everyone is searching for a key that unlocks something valuable. The film is a fast-paced crime thriller with action, suspense, and a touch of dark humor.
The late 1990s setting allows for a story with miscommunication and lack of cell phones. Aronofsky believes this time period feels more innocent and fun compared to today. Audiences will see answering machines and pay phones again, adding to the nostalgic feel.
The Star-Studded Cast of the Film
The film features a powerful ensemble cast. Austin Butler plays the lead role of Hank Thompson. Zoë Kravitz plays his girlfriend, and Matt Smith plays his punk-rock neighbor Russ. Other notable actors include Regina King as a detective, Liev Schreiber, and Vincent D’Onofrio as orthodox Jewish brothers involved in the criminal world.
Musician Bad Bunny also has a role as a Puerto Rican gangster. His character adds to the diverse group of criminals Hank encounters. The cast’s strong performances are expected to be a highlight of the film.
The Director’s Vision for a Lighter Film
Director Darren Aronofsky is known for intense dramas like Black Swan and Requiem for a Dream. However, he wanted to make something lighter with Caught Stealing. He felt that after the tension of recent years, audiences needed fun entertainment.
“I felt like there was just so much tension in our normal lives that I felt like the one thing that Hollywood has always done great is entertain. He characterized Caught Stealing as just a crime caper that we tried to make really well, and that was a really fun activity.”
The film is still violent and bloody, but it has more laughs than Aronofsky’s previous works. He describes it as a romp or a caper rather than a heavy drama. The goal was to create a movie that is enjoyable and thrilling.
Audience Expectations and Early Reactions
Early reviews from advanced screenings have been positive. Viewers have described the film as action-packed with a terrific story and excellent performances. The food market sequence, in particular, is noted as a standout scene that will be talked about for a long time.
Some reviewers compared the film to the works of Guy Ritchie for its clever and unpredictable plot. The twists and turns keep audiences on edge. The character development of the protagonist is also praised, showing how he changes from the beginning to the end of the film.
Caught Stealing is scheduled to be released on August 29, 2025. It will be available in theaters nationwide. Fans of Austin Butler and Darren Aronofsky are eagerly waiting to see this exciting new thriller.
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Credits: Variety, Ranker, The Cut
