Gerard Butler

Ridley Scott and Gerard Butler Team Up for Fact-Based Mercenary Pic

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: November 17th, 2011 at 5:12 pm

Although director Ridley Scott is currently busy with the production of Alien-pseudo-prequel, Prometheus, that doesn’t stop him from taking on new projects. Especially when that project stars Gerard Butler (300) as a former British Army officer who puts together a group of mercenaries to attempt a coup against an African nation’s government. Scott is attached to direct and produce the thriller based on the real-life exploits of Simon Mann. The script, written by Robert Edwards (The Bomb in My Garden) will follow Mann through the failed coup, his imprisonment and eventual pardoning. Hit the jump for more.

Promo Posters for ASS BACKWARDS, CARNAVAL, and THUNDER RUN Starring Sam Worthington and Gerard Butler

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: November 6th, 2011 at 8:34 am

We’ve got another round up of stuff from the American Film Market to share with you today in the way of promo posters for Ass Backwards, Thunder Run, and Carnaval. Thunder Run is the 3D motion-capture war film starring Gerard Butler, Sam Worthington, and Matthew McConaughey. Directed by Simon West (Con Air), the film centers on the 2003 capture of Baghdad. The comedy Ass Backwards stars Alicia Silverstone, Jon Cryer, Casey Wilson (Happy Endings) and Vincent D’Onofrio and centers on two best friends who head back to their hometown in an attempt to win a pageant they never won as children.

Carnaval stars John Cusack and Johnny Knoxville and centers on a sports scout (Cusack) who is forced to head down to Rio de Janeiro to recruit the world’s top soccer player. The scout’s best friend (Knoxville) comes along for the trip, and hijinks ensue. Josh Stern (Swing Vote) will direct.  Hit the jump to check out the promo posters.

Gerard Butler, Sam Worthington, and Matthew McConaughey to Star in 3D Motion-Capture War Movie THUNDER RUN

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: October 27th, 2011 at 1:13 pm

A trio of burly men have signed on to the Iraq war movie Thunder Run. Gerard Butler, Sam Worthington, and Matthew McConaughey are set to star in the action-thriller from director Simon West (Con Air). However, this isn’t your typical war pic, as Thompson on Hollywood reports that the film will be made using 3D motion-capture technology. The film centers on the 2003 capture of Baghdad, and is based on David Zucchino’s novel Thunder Run - The Armored Strike to Capture Baghdad. Black Hawk Down scribes Robert Port and Ken Nolan are handling screenwriting duties, and the film has apparently been in development for five years. Freedom Films’ Brian Presley had this to say:

“[This will be the] first ever conventional war film made to utilize this revolutionary facial and motion capture technology and state of the art CG and 3D.”

I’m not exactly sure how they plan to make this movie not look like Call of Duty, but it’s certainly a unique idea. Since the motion-capture process necessitates a lengthy post-production, it may be awhile until we actually see the film on the big screen. Hit the jump to read the synopsis of Zucchino’s novel.

Gerard Butler to Star in HUNTER KILLER; Sam Worthington Being Eyed to Co-Star

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: October 13th, 2011 at 1:00 pm

Gerard Butler has signed on to lead Antoine Fuqua’s submarine thriller Hunter Killer.  Per Variety, “the story follows an untested submarine captain who must work with a Navy SEAL team to rescue Russia’s president, who’s taken prisoner during a military coup. The two sides team to stop a rogue Russian general from igniting World War III.”  Russia really needs to sort out their whole rogue military officer problem.  Butler would play the submarine captain, and Sam Worthington is circling the role of Bill Beaman, leader of the Navy SEAL team.  I don’t have much faith Fuqua, but Butler really impressed me with his performance in Machine Gun Preacher and I’m always excited to see a new submarine movie.

Butler has been keeping busy as of late.  He recently wrapped on the soccer comedy Playing the Field, he’s about to start shooting on Curtis Hanson’s surfing drama Of Men & Mavericks, and he’ll next be seen in Ralph Fiennes modern-day adaptation of Coriolanus and the Peter Farrelly and Charles B. Wessler comedy omnibus.  Relativity is aiming for a winter start date for Hunter Killer and plans to release the film on December 21, 2012.

TOP 5: Fantastic Fest Coverage, 50/50, MACHINE GUN PREACHER, GHOST RIDER 2, Tom Hiddleston Talks THE AVENGERS and THOR 2

by Jason Barr    Posted: October 1st, 2011 at 3:56 pm

With the fall film season now in full swing, I’m 100% ashamed to admit that I’ve yet to see two of my most anticipated fall films: Moneyball and 50/50. Now, I have every intention of ending this charade at some point this weekend but, for now, I hope you’ll give me a pass. If I’ve still yet to check them out when we meet here next week, I’ll understand if you choose to revoke my “mildly credible film blogger” credentials. In the meantime…

…In this week’s “Top 5″ installment, you can find all of our Fantastic Fest 2011 coverage. After that, interviews abound with the cast of Jonathan Levine’s dramedy 50/50, the cast, creators, and real-life inspiration for Machine Gun Preacher, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance director Brian Taylor, and Thor/The Avengers‘ Tom Hiddleston. Check out a brief recap and link to each after the jump.

Gerard Butler and Michelle Monaghan Talk MACHINE GUN PREACHER, Video Games and Karaoke

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: September 26th, 2011 at 6:58 pm

At this year’s Toronto Film Festival, I was able to speak with Gerard Butler and Michelle Monaghan about director Marc Forster’s Machine Gun Preacher.  The movie is based on the real-life story of Sam Childers (played by Butler), a former drug-dealer who turned his life around and now dedicates it to saving kidnapped and orphaned children in Sudan.  Monaghan plays his wife Lynn.  It’s a hell of a story and one that I’m glad got told.  You can watch some clips here.

During the interview, they talked about how they got involved in the project, what was it like to work for Marc Forster, and we had some fun talking about karaoke and video games.  Butler revealed he has a thing for Galaga. Hit the jump to watch.

Six Movie Clips from MACHINE GUN PREACHER

by Jason Barr    Posted: September 14th, 2011 at 11:44 am

Six new clips from director Marc Forster’s Machine Gun Preacher are now online. Starring Gerard Butler, Michelle Monaghan and Michael Shannon, the “based on a true story” pic centers on Sam Childers (Butler), a once upon a time drug dealer who turns his life around and dedicates it to saving kidnapped and orphaned children in Sudan. Hit the jump to watch some new footage from the film. Machine Gun Preacher hits limited theaters in the U.S. on September 23rd and opens in the U.K. on November 18th.

First Clip from MACHINE GUN PREACHER Starring Gerard Butler

by Jason Barr    Posted: September 7th, 2011 at 10:16 am

The first clip from the “based on a true story” actioner Machine Gun Preacher has landed online. Starring Gerard Butler, Michelle Monaghan and Michael Shannon, the film tells the story of Sam Childers (Butler), a converted drug-dealer who makes it his personal responsibility to save hundreds of kidnapped and orphaned children in Sudan. Like I said when the trailer was released, I think Butler is in his element here (i.e. not starring opposite Katherine Heigl in a romantic comedy) and I’m looking forward to checking it out.

Watch the clip, which features some words of inspiration from Monaghan, after the jump. Directed by Marc Forster, Machine Gun Preacher will premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival before hitting select U.S. theaters on September 23rd and the U.K. on November 18th. Also, with TIFF beginning tomorrow, be on the lookout for a slew of clips from films premiering at the festival.

Trailer for MACHINE GUN PREACHER Starring Gerard Butler

by Jason Barr    Posted: August 18th, 2011 at 6:26 pm

The theatrical trailer for director Marc Forster’s (Monster’s Ball and Quantum of Solace) Machine Gun Preacher has hit the interwebs. Starring Gerard Butler, Michelle Monaghan, and Michael Shannon, the film tells the true story of Sam Childers (Butler), a former drug-dealer who goes on to save the lives of hundreds of kidnapped and orphaned kids in Sudan. While I can’t claim to be Butler’s biggest fan, I have to say that he looks to be in his element in Preacher as a hardened guy who wants to do the right thing the only way he knows how: through violence. Add that in with the fact that I’ve enjoyed much of Forster’s previous work, and Machine Gun Preacher is a film I’m looking forward to watching.

Check out the trailer after the jump. Machine Gun Preacher will premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival next month and opens theatrically on September 23rd.

New Posters for CORIOLANUS, CONTAGION, and TINKER, TAILOR, SOLDIER, SPY

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: August 17th, 2011 at 2:53 pm

New posters have been released for Ralph Fiennes’ Coriolanus, Steven Soderbergh’s Contagion, and Tomas Alfredson’s Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.  The Coriolanus poster is one of the best I’ve seen all year and I would happily hang it on my wall (provided the film is good, and it certainly looks good).  The Contagion poster is made up of the character posters we’ve already seen.  Finally, there’s a new code-face poster for Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.  This one features Mark Strong as MI6 agent Jim Prideaux.

Hit the jump to check out the posters.  Coriolanus opens December 2nd.  Contagion opens September 9th.  Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy opens November 18th.

Posters for Jason Statham’s SAFE, Paul Walker’s VEHICLE 19, Gerard Butler’s MACHINE GUN PREACHER

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: August 15th, 2011 at 9:20 pm

We’ve got three action-heavy posters tonight.  First up is Safe, in which Jason Statham plays “a former elite agent who fights to rescue a 12-year-old girl (Catherine Chan).”  Next up is Vehicle 19, starring and executive produced by Paul Walker.  The new promo poster is accompanied by the first synopsis for the film, which identifies Walker as a recently parolee who gets into trouble with crooked cops when he picks up the wrong rental car.  Last up is Machine Gun Preacher, based on the true story of Sam Childers (played by Gerard Butler), “a former drug-dealing criminal who undergoes an astonishing transformation and finds an unexpected calling as the savior of hundreds of kidnapped and orphaned children.”

Hit the jump for all three posters and more info on each project.

Kick-Ass UK Trailer for Ralph Fiennes Adaptation of William Shakespeare’s CORIOLANUS

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: August 10th, 2011 at 7:33 am

Before now, my reaction to Coriolanus was “Oh, Ralph Fiennes is making his directing debut by adapting Shakespeare’s Coriolanus and setting it in a modern-day battlefield.  That’s nice.”  But the UK trailer just makes me go, “This is Fiennes’ directing debut?  Holy hell.”  The dialogue and plot may be Shakespeare’s but Fiennes has clearly amped up the setting with some sweet looking action and intense drama.  I hope this all comes together because it has an outstanding cast (Fiennes in the title role and joined by Vanessa Redgrave, Brian Cox, Gerard Butler, Jessica Chastain, and James Nesbitt).

As you’ll gather from the trailer, the plot centers on a banished former war hero who plans to conquer his homeland.  Hit the jump to check out the madness.  Coriolanus will play at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival.  It opens in the US on December 2nd and in the UK on January 20, 2012.

Gerard Butler to Star in FBI Thriller THE BRICKLAYER, Kim Fields Joins WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU’RE EXPECTING

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: August 8th, 2011 at 5:49 pm

We’ve got a couple of casting stories for you this evening. First up, THR reports that Gerard Butler is set to star in Millennium Films’ adaptation of Noah Boyd’s The Bricklayer. The thriller tells the story of a former FBI agent who is brought in by the bureau to help track down a criminal gang that’s demanding escalating ransom payments. Hanna Weg (Enigma) is writing the script, and Butler will also be producing the film alongside Alan Siegel and Danielle Robinson.

Additionally, Facts of Life star Kim Fields will make her feature film debut in Kirk Jones’ What to Expect When You’re Expecting. The film is the latest in the new genre of “lots of celebrities have minimal screentime in a movie that has interconnected stories,” and follows four different couples through the ups and downs of pregnancy. THR reports that the actress will play a social worker who helps a couple adopt. Fields joins Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Elizabeth Banks, Dennis Quaid, Anna Kendrick, Chace Crawford, Matthew Morrison, Brooklyn Decker, Wendy McLendon-Covey and Rob Huebel. The film opens May 11^th, 2012. Hit the jump for a synopsis of the novel The Bricklayer.

First Images from Steve McQueen’s SHAME, Jamie Linden’s TEN YEAR, Fernando Meirelles’ 360 and Ralph Fiennes’ CORIOLANUS

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: July 26th, 2011 at 10:40 am

Continuing our assault of all the new movie images that hit the net this morning, we’ve got our first official looks at Steve McQueen’s Shame (starring Michael Fassbender, Carey Mulligan, James Badge Dale and Nicole Beharie), Fernando Meirelles 360 (starring Jude Law, Anthony Hopkins, Rachel Weisz and Ben Foster), Jamie Linden’s Ten Year (starring Channing Tatum, Rosario Dawson, Justin Long, Kate Mara, Anthony Mackie and Chris Pratt) and Ralph Fiennes’ directorial debut Coriolanus (which stars Fiennes and Gerard Butler).

While many Film Festivals hope to land a few big movies, this year’s Toronto International Film Festival is an insane lineup that’s loaded with huge actors and high profile projects.  Like the past few years, I’ll be at TIFF, so you can expect plenty of reviews/interviews during the Festival which runs from September 8-18th.  Hit the jump to check out all the new images.

First Image from MACHINE GUN PREACHER Starring Gerard Butler

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: July 25th, 2011 at 9:25 am

The first image of Gerard Bulter in Marc Forster’s Machine Gun Preacher has gone online.  Butler plays real-life humanitarian Sam Childers, a former criminal who became a protector of Sudanese orphans.  Speaking to USA Today about the role, Butler said, “There is more complexity in a modern-day character who’s a drug addict and a biker turned businessman, missionary and soldier. You don’t get roles like this very often.”  I’m curious to see how brutal Forster and Butler will make Childers or if the audience will allow Childers’ methods to be as violent as possible if they’re in defense of children.

Hit the jump to check out the image.  Machine Gun Preacher opens September 23rd.

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