Renowned for his captivating portrayal of Feyd-Rautha in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two, Austin Butler has now embarked on a daring new project, joining the cast of The Bikeriders. Slated to release in December 2023 as the film got delayed due to the Hollywood strikes, the Jeff Nichols-directed movie is now set to hit theaters on June 21, 2024.
Ahead of the release of his crime thriller, Austin Butler shared behind-the-scenes details from the film set, and shed light on one of his most harrowing experiences while filming. During his conversation with Variety, as Butler spoke about his terrifying accident while shooting The Bikeriders, it seemingly made his formidable psychopath role in Dune 2, appear bleak in comparison.
Austin Butler Met with a Disastrous Crash in The Bikeriders
Marking a significant shift from his previous role as Feyd-Rautha in Dune: Part Two, to his appearance in Jeff Nichols’ The Bikeriders as Benny, Austin Butler showcased his versatility and commitment to challenging characters. Despite the daunting nature of his recent role, Butler flawlessly delved into the raw and gritty world of motorcycle enthusiasts and portrayed their adrenaline-fueled lifestyles.
However, while filming The Bikeriders, apart from the 2023 Hollywood strikes, Austin Butler faced certain challenges and experiences that shaped his Hollywood journey, even more. In his discussion with Variety, Jeff Nichols explained how the stars were riding old motorcycles at breakneck speeds without the protection of a helmet and without an insurance guarantee.
There’s no filter. We put up a camera and lens and they got up on the bikes and rode them. But, yeah, I was terrified. I mean you take all the safety precautions that you can and you have stunt coordinator Jeff Milburn, who is a motorcycle guru. But at some point, it’s a 60-year-old machine and you’re spinning with speed and you have a famous person with no helmet on. Nichols noted.
Although initially, unlike the filmmaker, Austin Butler wasn’t concerned about the no helmet thing. But eventually, after the actor faced a horrifying accident, he admitted to getting a reality check about the risks embraced by bikers. Fortunately, Butler wasn’t hurt because he acted wisely and was able to jump off his bike on time and land on his feet.
I should have been more scared on a motorcycle probably. It wasn’t until I crashed, that I realized that it was possible. That then gave me a healthy respect. Butler shared.
Learning about Austin Butler’s ominous disaster while filming The Bikeriders seemingly gives a clear perspective on the dangers he faced while shooting the movie. This brings us to his previous action sequences in Dune 2, which now seem pale compared to his adrenaline-pumping stunts in Jeff Nichols’ crime thriller.
Austin Butler’s Feyd-Rautha Appears Amature Compared to Benny
In Denis Villeneuve‘s blockbuster sequel Dune: Part Two, Austin Butler delivered physical and emotional depth to his portrayal of Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen, a formidable psychopath adept in combat. However, when compared to the risks and stunts performed by Butler as Benny in The Bikeriders, there appears a stark difference between the intensity of the two projects.
Unlike the stunts performed by Austin Butler in the controlled environment of the Dune 2 film set, where each actor’s movements were meticulously choreographed adhering to safety precautions, The Bikeriders pushed him into real-life perilous situations. This highlights the inherent risks undertaken by Butler in pursuit of authentic performance in Jeff Nichols’ upcoming movie.
Narrating the tale inspired by a 1967 photo book of the same name, about the Outlaws MC, an Illinois motorcycle club, The Bikeriders’ premise required Austin Butler to embody the spirit of a daredevil, mirroring the recklessness of his character on screen. This particular demand forced Butler to navigate treacherous terrain and face the very real possibility of injury or worse.
The Bikeriders is set to hit the theaters on June 21, 2024.
Dune: Part Two is available on Prime Video.
