Actor pushes through pain barrier as World War II series unleashes real-life drama

In a breathtaking revelation, Hollywood heartthrob Austin Butler divulges the painful toll taken during the filming of the gripping miniseries, Masters of the Air. The AppleTV production, spearheaded by heavyweights Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg, chronicles the daring exploits of World War Two pilots in perilous bombing campaigns.

Butler, portraying pilot Major Gale Cleven, spilled the beans on the real-life drama that unfolded behind the scenes. While engaged in a fierce fight scene, the actor suffered a cracked rib, turning what seemed like routine filming into a battle of its own.

The injury didn’t deter Butler, who soldiered on to finish the scene, asserting, “It hurts for a long time after because every time you breathe, you feel your ribs. But it could have been worse.”

Masters of the Air, following the ‘Bloody Hundredth’—the US Air Force’s 100th bomb group, notorious for their high casualties—offers a riveting narrative set against the backdrop of World War II.

In a quirky twist, Butler’s previous role as the King of Rock n’ Roll in Elvis sparked online chatter regarding his lingering accent. A dialect coach was brought in to help him shed the distinctive twang, showcasing the actor’s dedication to his craft.

During an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Butler shared insights into his transition, revealing, “I was just trying to remember who I was, I was trying to remember what I liked to do. All I thought about was Elvis for three years.”

Tom Hanks, the linchpin in Butler’s post-Elvis career, played a pivotal role in steering him towards Masters of the Air. Over dinner in Australia, Hanks quipped about Butler needing a new focus after the Elvis project, paving the way for this historical saga.

Unravel the mystery behind Butler’s rib-cracking incident and witness the action unfold in Masters of the Air, now streaming with new episodes every Friday.