Sony Pictures Acquires Darren Aronofsky’s “Caught Stealing” Starring Austin Butler

Sony Pictures has secured the rights to Darren Aronofsky’s upcoming crime thriller “Caught Stealing,” with Austin Butler set to star in the lead role.

The film delves into the tumultuous journey of Hank Thompson, a disillusioned former baseball player, as he unwittingly finds himself entangled in a harrowing battle for survival amidst the gritty criminal underworld of 1990s New York City.

Expressing his enthusiasm for the project, Oscar-nominated director Aronofsky, known for his acclaimed works like “The Whale” and “Black Swan,” stated, “I am thrilled to collaborate once again with Sony Pictures to breathe life into Charlie’s adrenaline-fueled narrative. Working alongside Austin and a talented team of New York City filmmakers is a prospect I eagerly anticipate.”

The screenplay, adapted from Charlie Huston’s eponymous book, will be crafted by Huston himself, with production handled by Protozoa.

Sanford Panitch, President of Sony Pictures’ Motion Picture Group, remarked, “Darren’s unparalleled storytelling prowess combined with the gripping source material from Charlie Huston presented an irresistible opportunity, particularly with Austin’s involvement. We are excited to embark on this cinematic journey.”

Butler, known for his acclaimed performance in Baz Luhrmann’s “Elvis,” continues to make waves with his roles in projects like “Dune: Part 2” and Apple TV’s “Masters of Air.” His upcoming ventures include Jeff Nichols’ “The Bikeriders” and Sony’s adaptation of “City on Fire,” where he also serves as a producer alongside David Heyman and Shane Salerno.

Aronofsky is represented by CAA, Narrative, and Goodman, Genow, Schenkman, Smelkinson & Christopher, while Butler is represented by WME, Anonymous Content, Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern, and The Lede Company. Huston is represented by Katz Golden Lerner and Writers House.

The news was first reported by Deadline.