Dune 2starAustin Butlerwill swap knife-play for gunplay in an upcoming movie. New footage of the Oscar-nominated actor training on a gun range has led audiences to wonder whether long-runningHeat 2casting rumors are indeed true, as Butler displays his hugely impressive talent for shooting. The footage (via X user@leadaal) finds Butler being trained by Taran Tactical, who trained both Keanu Reeves and Halle Berry for theJohn Wickseries, with further rumors suggesting he could be starring in one of the plannedJohn Wickspinoff projects.
You can check out the footage of Austin Butler’s seriously impressive shooting skills below.
So, what might Butler’s newfound skillset reveal? Well, it has been rumored for some time that Butler is being eyed to star in director Michael Mann’sHeatsequel, with rumors claiming that theDune: Part Twoactor will take over from Val Kilmer as career-criminal Chris Shiherlis.
Being an expert in shooting would certainly make sense forHeat 2, with the first movie being well-remembered for its gripping shootouts and action sequences.
The timing of Butler’s training would also match up with what Mann has saidofHeat 2’simpending production. Discussing the sequel in January, Mann revealed that he has plans for the sequel “to shoot in 2024,” and that he has been “putting the final touches” on the script.
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Much like the novel, which was released in 2022,Heat 2will act as “both a ‘prequel and sequel,’” to the 1995 critically acclaimed classic, to begin filming this year. This means thatHeat 2will star younger actors as earlier versions of the characters, withrumors claiming that Adam DriverandDune’sTimothée Chalamet are being eyed to lead as Al Pacino’s Vincent Hanna and Robert De Niro’s Neil McCauley, respectively.
Is Austin Butler Prepping for a John Wick Spinoff?
However, it is also possible that Austin Butler will soon join theJohn Wickfranchise. Alongside this newly released footage have come claims that Butler was introduced to Taran Tactical byJohn Wick: Chapter 4director Chad Stahelski.
Not only that, but a report fromIndieWirefrom last year suggests that Butler will play the villain in a spinoff centered onJohn Wick: Chapter 4’sMr. Nobody, aka The Tracker, played by Shamier Anderson. “Anderson even has a surprising tie to 2023 Best Actor nominee Austin Butler, who very well could be the next “John Wick” villain in the inevitable Tracker spinoff,” the report reads, with Anderson adding…
“Holy smokes, we did work together! That’s actually crazy. I actually did work with Austin Butler on [‘Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure’]. I don’t know if he’ll remember that.”
For now, this is all merely enjoyable speculation, with Butler potentially training for his role as a crime boss inCity on Fire, an adaptation of Don Winslow‘s novel. Whatever the reason, Butler is clearly dedicated, and will no doubt continue his Hollywood rise following his acclaimed performance inDune 2.
