Austin Butler Debuts New Hair at SFFILM Awards Night Sparking Mixed Reactions - Photos

Austin Butler recently rocked a widely discussed hairstyle at an industry event where he presented an award to a director of a movie he starred in.

Hollywood star Austin Butler stepped out in style to attend the SFFILM Awards Night in San Francisco on December 9. While the actor certainly looked dapper in the outfit he wore, it was his new hair that garnered significant attention online from netizens who long for Butler to return to his usual style.

For the prestigious affair, the "Elvis" talent sported a classy black suit and tie. Veering away from the luscious locks his fans have come to recognize him for, Butler rocked a buzz cut.

Upon noticing the change in hairstyle, social media users expressed their sorrow. "rip [sic] golden locks 😞," remarked an Instagrammer, while another penned, "I miss his golden locks 😢."

Echoing similar sentiments, an observer noted, "I prefer him with longer hair." Complimenting Butler's alluring features while still making their preference clear, another person said, "I still think he looks hot, but I miss his golden locks."

On the flip side, however, a spectator opined, "I do not understand the hype. This man not [sic] attractive." "The buzz cut is not it 😭," added an Instagrammer who jumped on the bandwagon of so many others who prefer Butler's longer hair.

"I liked his hair before 😢," highlighted yet another disappointed netizen, while someone else asserted, "It's not a good look on him. 🤷🏼‍♀️." "I miss the hair!" exclaimed a user on X.

On the other hand, some people expressed their affinity for Butler's new look. "Gorgeous," swooned a fan on Instagram, while a fellow admirer gushed, "I loved it 😍." Adding to the praise the "Aliens in the Attic" actor received, another fan complimented, "He just gets better 😍."

Not only did Butler spark mixed reactions to his hair while posing on the red carpet, but the star had the special honor of presenting an award at the fundraising event that celebrates "unique and extraordinary achievements in film."

Butler presented the Irving M. Levin Award for Film Direction to legendary French-Canadian director Denis Villeneuve, whom Butler has worked with before.

According to a snapshot bio on the SFFILM Awards Night website, the Academy Award nominated director "is a filmmaker whose remarkable worldbuilding, astute attention to detail and storytelling prowess have established him as one of the premier directors working today."

He is best known for adapting the late writer Frank Herbert's franchise books "Dune," into movies. In 2021, Villeneuve directed "Dune," which was then followed by "Dune: Part Two," released earlier this year (2024).

"Through creating a visually stunning and narratively complex conclusion to this tale, Villeneuve has captivated everyone from critics to audiences to devoted fans," concludes the film organization's description.

Villeneuve and Butler had the opportunity to work together on "Dune: Part Two," which saw "The Carrie Diaries" actor star as Feyd-Rautha, alongside fellow actors Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Javier Bardem, Rebecca Ferguson, Florence Pugh, Dave Bautista, and Christopher Walken, to name a few.

The epic sequel to "Dune" continues the story of Paul Atreides who finds himself in the midst of a "warpath of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family."

"Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the universe, he endeavors to prevent a terrible future," reads IMDb's description of the Action/Adventure movie.

Prior to the SFFILM Awards Night, the organization shared an Instagram post announcing that Butler would be the presenter for Villeneuve's award. They posted two images from a movie Austin Butler did in 2023 called "The Bikeriders," which showed him in character.

"Austin Butler will present the Irving M. Levin Award for Film Direction to Denis Villeneuve. Did you see him in 'THE BIKERIDERS?' This year, Awards Night is Monday, Dec 9 at The Gateway Pavilion at Pier 2—Fort Mason Center!" captioned the organization.

Other industry heavy hitters honored at the SFFILM Awards Night included Demi Moore, who received the Maria Manetti Shrem Award for Acting, and Malcolm Washington who received the George Gund III Award for Virtuosity.

Famous filmmaker Jason Reitman, known for his movies "Juno," "Up in the Air," and "Ghostbusters: Afterlife," was honored with the Nion McEvoy & Leslie Berriman Award for Storytelling.

Apart from spotlighting the achievements of innovators in the entertainment industry, the SFFILM Awards Night's purpose is to "discover, nurture, and showcase the next generation of film artists."