Austin Butler Sets Sights On The Sky After Masters Of The Air Premiere

At the star-studded premiere of Masters of the Air in Los Angeles, actor Austin Butler, 32, expressed his newfound passion for flying. The miniseries, which delves into the lives of U.S. Air Force pilots during World War II, ignited Austin’s desire to take to the skies.

“I would love to,” he enthusiastically shared when asked about the possibility of learning to fly. His aviation interest was sparked while working on the Apple TV+ miniseries, where he portrays pilot Major Gale Cleven, also known as Buck. The show also stars Callum Turner and Anthony Boyle.

Reflecting on his experience, Austin admitted, “I’m rusty now, but I feel like I could,” referring to the flying skills he acquired during filming. The opportunity to work on Masters of the Air was a memorable one for the actor, who spoke highly of co-executive producers Tom Hanks, 67, and Steven Spielberg.

“He approaches everything with such care and kindness and he does so much research and is just constantly reading about this period. “It’s a pleasure working with him, whether he’s in front of the camera or behind,” Austin said of Tom.

Austin’s co-star, Barry Keoghan, 31, also shared some behind-the-scenes stories from the set. Barry, who plays a pivotal role in the miniseries, revealed that he taught Austin how to box during their downtime and praised the actor’s boxing skills, describing him as “pretty good” at sparring.

For Barry, being cast in Masters of the Air fulfilled a lifelong dream. He stated, “I always wanted to play a pilot,” citing inspiration from Tom Hardy’s portrayal of an RAF fighter pilot in Dunkirk. 

In the series, Austin’s character, Major Gale Cleven, is part of the 100th Bomb Group in the U.S. Air Force, known as the “Bloody Hundredth.” They undertook perilous bombing raids over Nazi Germany, facing frigid conditions, oxygen scarcity, and the terror of combat at high altitudes.

Based on Donald L. Miller’s book of the same name, Masters of the Air aims to depict the psychological and emotional toll on these young men as they contributed to the downfall of Hitler’s Third Reich. The series, as seen in the recently released trailer, promises dramatic action and emotional depth as it explores the harrowing experiences of the 100th Bomb Group.

With a stellar ensemble cast, including Sawyer Spielberg, Nate Mann, Rafferty Law, Josiah Cross, Branden Cook, and Ncuti Gatwa, Masters of the Air is set to take viewers on a gripping journey through history and the skies.