Austin Butler will star in and executive produce Don Winslow’s City On Fire adaptation

Having worked with impressive directors and an Oscar nomination for a complicated performance playing one of the most recognizable music icons in history ElvisAustin Butler is moving towards producing his next starring role, which, if it works out, could be the launch of a new franchise. Takes the lead in Don Winslow’s adaptation burning city novels

The trilogy (the first book of the same name is published in 2022, the second arrives on April 18) centers on two criminal empires, one Irish and the other Italian, which control all of New England. A modern day event in Helen of Troy separates them and a brutal war begins. Butler will play the title character, Danny Ryan, who is forced to transform from street soldier to ruthless boss to protect his friends, family and the home he loves. Battling the mob, the local police and the feds, Danny plans to build a dynasty or die trying.

Sony is backing the film, while David Heyman and Shane Salerno are producing with the studio’s Elizabeth Gabler and Marisa Paiva.

“Like so many around the world, I was blown away by Austin Butler’s Oscar-nominated performance in ElvisWinslow said. “I had several conversations with Austin about this trilogy that I’ve been working on for nearly 30 years of my life, and I was deeply impressed by his commitment to playing Danny Ryan, as well as his passion for also producing the three films with David and Shane and Elizabeth and Marisa.

As for Butler, we’ll see him inside air masters (From Band of Brothers/The Pacific team) this year, and plays Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen in Dune: second partIt will be released in theaters on November 3rd.