Fresh off his awards season run, it appears Austin Butler is ready to take on his first major starring role, in a potential franchise no less, since earning acclaim for “Elvis.” And his role in the upcoming “City on Fire” couldn’t be further from what he did as the King of Rock and Roll.
According to Deadline, Austin Butler has signed on to produce and star in the upcoming crime drama, “City on Fire.” The film, which is based on the novel of the same name by acclaimed author Don Winslow, follows the rise of a criminal from low-ranking soldier to boss during a war between an Irish gang and the Italian mob. The book is part of a trilogy of novels, and it’s expected that, if the film does well enough, Butler could be the centerpiece of this new crime franchise.
“Like so many people around the world I was amazed by Austin Butler’s Oscar-nominated performance in ‘Elvis,’” Winslow said. “I’ve had a number of conversations with Austin about this trilogy that I’ve been working on for almost thirty 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.”
You may have noticed that there isn’t a writer or director mentioned. Well, that’s because Sony 3000 Pictures, the studio behind “City on Fire,” has yet to find anyone to take on those roles. However, since Butler is signed on to star and this is based on Winslow’s novel, there is reportedly some urgency at the studio to quickly find filmmakers to attach so that this film can get in front of cameras sooner than later.
Butler, of course, isn’t only known for his breakout role in “Elvis,” which landed him a coveted Oscar nomination. He was also seen in “Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood,” as well as films such as “The Dead Don’t Die” and “Dude.” His next major appearance is in Denis Villeneuve’s upcoming “Dune: Part Two.”
No release date has been announced for “City on Fire.”
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