Austin Butler revealed that he temporarily lost his vision while filming The Bikeriders, a 2024 crime drama directed by Jeff Nichols. The star, known for his role as Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann’s acclaimed biopic, experienced a frightening episode involving vision loss and a severe migraine upon arriving to shoot the movie. Despite the alarming incident, Butler attributed it to extreme sleep deprivation and pushed forward with the production.
Details About The Bikeriders and Butler’s Role
The Bikeriders centers on Benny, portrayed by Butler, a member of the Vandals motorcycle club led by Tom Hardy’s character. The film charts the transformation of a group of societal outsiders into a feared and violent gang in their town. It features a strong ensemble cast including Jodie Comer, Michael Shannon, Mike Faist, Norman Reedus, and others, and is inspired by a true story. The movie explores the club’s dangerous evolution and Benny’s conflicted loyalties, including his complex relationship with a character named Kathy.
The Vision Loss Incident and Butler’s Own Words
In a revealing interview with Men’s Health, Butler described his sudden loss of vision while flying to the shoot location. He reported feeling as if
“the life was being sucked from [his] body”
and experienced an intense euphoric sensation, leading him to fear he was dying. Once his eyesight improved, he proceeded to film, attributing the event to exhaustion and lack of sleep. Butler stated:
“It felt like the life WAS BEING SUCKED from my body. I suddenly felt a EUPHORIC SENSATION, and I actually genuinely thought I WAS DYING.” —Austin Butler, Actor
Butler’s Physical Challenges Across His Recent Films
Austin Butler’s dedication to physical transformations for his roles has been notable. After the demanding work on Elvis, during which he gained 35 pounds, he faced significant health struggles, including a hospitalization caused by severe abdominal pain. For upcoming projects, such as his role as Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen in Dune: Part Two, he underwent intense training, including sessions with a former Navy SEAL. In other productions like Caught Stealing, he deliberately altered his diet to affect his appearance, balancing periods of skipping meals to maintain his weight.
These rigorous schedules and physical demands appear to have taken a toll on Butler’s health, culminating in multiple incidents such as the vision loss episode on The Bikeriders set and an eight-month-long foot injury during the Dune press tour, which was eventually attributed to a retained piece of glass that required surgical removal.
Lessons Learned and Future Implications for Austin Butler
Reflecting on these experiences, Butler has acknowledged the need to care more carefully for his physical wellbeing. The severity of the incident while filming The Bikeriders underscores the pressures actors face, especially when balancing intense physical transformations with grueling work schedules. Moving forward, his approach to maintaining health during demanding roles may change as he balances his growing career, including his lead role as Patrick Bateman in Luca Guadagnino’s remake of American Psycho and his performances alongside stars such as Pedro Pascal, Emma Stone, and Joaquin Phoenix.
The Bikeriders Cast and Storyline Overview
The Bikeriders focuses on the turbulent dynamics within the Vandals motorcycle club and the complicated bond between Benny and Kathy, played by Jodie Comer. As the club escalates into violence and fear within their town, Benny faces a pivotal decision between his loyalty to the club and his personal relationships. The film’s narrative examines themes of identity, loyalty, and the costs of living on the edge of society.
