Having already notched up work with some impressive directors and an Oscar nomination for a tricky performance channeling one of the most recognisable music icons in history via Elvis, Austin Butler is making the move to produce his next starring role — which, if it works out, could be the launch of new franchise. He's taking the lead in the adaptation of Don Winslow's City On Fire novels.
The trilogy (the first, eponymous book was published in 2022, the second arrives on 18 April) focuses on two criminal empires — one Irish, the other Italian – that control all of New England. A modern-day Helen of Troy event tears them apart and starts a brutal war. Butler is aiming to play the main character, Danny Ryan, forced to grow from a street soldier into a ruthless leader to protect his friends, his family and the home he loves. Fighting the Mafia, the local cops and the feds, Danny intends to build a dynasty or die trying.
Sony is backing the film, while David Heyman and Shane Salerno are producing alongside the studio's Elizabeth Gabler and Marisa Paiva.
"Like so many people around the world, I was amazed by Austin Butler’s Oscar-nominated performance in Elvis," Winslow says. "I’ve had a number of conversations with Austin about this trilogy that I’ve been working on for almost 30 years of my life, and I have been deeply impressed by his commitment to playing Danny Ryan as well as his passion to also produce the three films with David and Shane and Elizabeth and Marisa."
As for Butler, he'll be seen in Masters Of The Air (from the Band Of Brothers/The Pacific team) this year, and plays Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen in Dune: Part Two, which will be in cinemas on 3 November.