Post by elenoire on Nov 3, 2012 14:07:42 GMT -5
lnx.gerryscorner.it/cpg133/thumbnails.php?album=1120
Elle Italia has a great interview, here is the translation
The Last King of Scotland
His homeland is profoundly rooted in his heart, even if he lives in NY now. In Gabriele Muccino's last film he is a heavily courted soccer coach. In his real life he is a golden bachelor, waiting for the right woman. As long as she isn't an actress
Gabriele Muccino didn't have any doubts choosing the lead for his film, a romantic comedy Playing For Keeps. He wanted Gerard Butler, because he is a good actor, nice, charming, ironic and with something virile and vulnerable about him at the same time.
On his part, the Scottish born 43 year old actor now living in NY, assures us that he loved playing the part of a soccer coach , whose blue eyes spark desire in soccer mums from deep American suburbia. They are really periwinkle and he swears he doesn't use coloured lenses to accentuate them as many other actors do. You don't expect such a striking colour on a such a handsome and athletic figure/presence. That look full of curiosity, with a hint of boyish candor.
- At times I have to remind myself I'm in my forties, especially when I meet my siblings; we always feel like children, playing buddies, when we were out discovering Scotland or taking a train to London. I need a city around me. NY is perfect, with many pubs...I'm joking, I'm done with beer and alcohol.
All the actresses were on the set in Shreveport: Jessica Biel, Uma Thurman, Catherine Zeta Jones, Judy Greer, Italian Gisella Marengo. They treated him like the object of their desire, but like a comrade. And during the lunch time, under the tent Gerard was serving the food to them all with joy.
- I'm single and a movie set becomes like some sort of family to me, especially when we live together for weeks like a team. It's still a life I like and every new movie set is an adventure.
The set visit was more then a year ago, Gerard made another 3 films and a year later we meet him in NY, during Chasing Mavericks promotion (a movie with Elisabeth Shue, again a sport role as a surfer who knows how to dance with the waves).
- Almost always the filming and set meetings become life pieces for me. Many of my films are oriented to a young adult audience, for example I adore voicing great animated movies. 300 is the reason many continue to see me as an all-muscles-Scottish guy, with an appealing glamour. I'm tired of that image. I became co-producer to Muccino. Being involved in production became determinant for me.
He still has sun bleached hair and says that is was exciting discovering that surfing was like the music:
- You follow your movements and flow of the waves with an authentic musical sense , he explains. The film by Curtis Hanson and Michael Apted gave me an incredible energy, I experienced a symbiosis with my character, even though I had an accident during filming.
He is versatile in his real life, as he is in his career, although he now wants a dramatic role. It seems he wants to distance himself from some light roles he did - the one he made with Jennifer Aniston – but he still has pleasant memories of Phantom Of The Opera:
- Sometimes, movies don't do as well as you hoped for, but later the public still discover them on DVD, tell you they loved your effort and you realise it all makes sense.
He detests for sure being on "The Most Sexy Actors lists" and sees himself in theater in the future, like when he started his career. After Muccino's film, he took on Shakespeare in Coriolanus, directed by Ralph Fiennes
– It was magnificent. Ralph was completely dedicated to this effort, absolute dedication. He filled me with gratitude for choosing me. Yes, we British actors feel connected, we are recognized by our accents: Londonese, Irish, Scottish. And I'm not telling this with superiority, Shakespeare remains our common ground. We have an energy and a passion that Hollywood can never completely corrupt. We have an alchemy between us, that sometimes is hard to find between American actors. I would lie if I say I don't miss Europe, but I live in NY, where I can find almost European moments during my day.
You live in a splendid loft, with frescos on ceilings, photographed in Architectural Digest. How do you live your days?
- My work means constant travelling, but staying home is my joy. I really care a lot about my library, my plants, my paintings. It took me a lot of time to buy a place. I would have liked one in Notting Hill, Bloomsbury... But, I live mainly in USA and NY is a metropolis that still fascinates me. Therefore, I created a little old European corner in my loft, not modern by any means. I was always fascinated by architects and their work. If I'm not working, I'm at home, reading, going out with friends, taking long walks, going to theaters. There's nothing secret about my life, it's all simple.
You don't come across as a simple person...
- I became one. I smoothed my contrasts, dissatisfactions, ambitions, eliminating all unhealthy dependencies; learned to appreciate the value of good memories and all that I have. I love acting , but I have other interests. This surfing movie, for example was a real revelation. I experienced a micro universe that lives in symbiosis with the Pacific or Atlantic waves, with nature.
Is there something that Muccino's bittersweet and gentle comedy gave you?
- A better understanding of women. Besides the gossip/rumours about my presumed flirts, I have a lot a female friends. But, I never got to talk so much with actresses as on that set. All the women characters dissatisfactions are very well explained. The film will create a lot of discussion.
It seems you want to distance yourself from a certain maschilism, made of conquests and physical presence...
- I'm not interested in soccer player's maschilism, but it's not easy for actors. Many colleagues suffer solitude, eradication. Finding a woman that is not a colleague with similar life, a woman able to guarantee you stability is very complicated for an actor. I have an authentic admiration for Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner. I've seen many marriages fail, like the one of Madonna and my friend Guy Ritchie, who is now happily married and a dad again. One day it'll happen to me. But I lost the train to be a young dad. I would have liked that.
The children in Muccino's film were always around you on set...
- I love children, I assume seeing them grow is a fantastic experience. I was really feeling close to them, they considered me like some sort of a substitute dad. Gabriele who is also an attentive father was magnificent with our little actors. Actresses were dissatisfied mothers in the movie, but impatient real mothers waiting to get home to their children.
In the past you had to deal with some auto destructive aspects of your life: is it all in the past?
- Yes, but I don't forget the anxiety that led me to abandon my law career, that corroded me at some points in my movie career. I believe that stability comes from the ability to follow your dreams. And there are movies that bring you back completely the capacity to dream, that can transmit you the serenity found in some Shakespearean pages.
How much of your time you spend on your image?
- Not much, but I like being elegant, I tend to be somewhat traditional, like most Anglo-Saxons. I prefer dandy tones, to those shabby/slovenly.
What are your most important values, of your first 40 years?
- Scotland remains profoundly rooted in my heart with its green spaces, its music, traditions. My parents divorced, but a deep sense of morality, loyalty to ideals came from my family. My formation with its roots deeply rooted in Irish, Scottish catholic culture was fundamental.
What is the most annoying aspect of your star image/status?
- The word star. Because it reduces you to just a red carpet, party figure. It doesn't coincide with an 26 year old guy , who after studying law decides to become an actor.
One adjective to define your personality.
- Deep down, I'm a romantic, and that's why I found a precise need for it in Gabriele's movie.
Have you got a role model?
- There was a man that had a profound influence on me, his elegance and his charm. David Niven. Young people don't know who he is, but looking at his photos you think – how elegant. He is a man capable of transmitting you a smile, always.
Elle Italia has a great interview, here is the translation
The Last King of Scotland
His homeland is profoundly rooted in his heart, even if he lives in NY now. In Gabriele Muccino's last film he is a heavily courted soccer coach. In his real life he is a golden bachelor, waiting for the right woman. As long as she isn't an actress
Gabriele Muccino didn't have any doubts choosing the lead for his film, a romantic comedy Playing For Keeps. He wanted Gerard Butler, because he is a good actor, nice, charming, ironic and with something virile and vulnerable about him at the same time.
On his part, the Scottish born 43 year old actor now living in NY, assures us that he loved playing the part of a soccer coach , whose blue eyes spark desire in soccer mums from deep American suburbia. They are really periwinkle and he swears he doesn't use coloured lenses to accentuate them as many other actors do. You don't expect such a striking colour on a such a handsome and athletic figure/presence. That look full of curiosity, with a hint of boyish candor.
- At times I have to remind myself I'm in my forties, especially when I meet my siblings; we always feel like children, playing buddies, when we were out discovering Scotland or taking a train to London. I need a city around me. NY is perfect, with many pubs...I'm joking, I'm done with beer and alcohol.
All the actresses were on the set in Shreveport: Jessica Biel, Uma Thurman, Catherine Zeta Jones, Judy Greer, Italian Gisella Marengo. They treated him like the object of their desire, but like a comrade. And during the lunch time, under the tent Gerard was serving the food to them all with joy.
- I'm single and a movie set becomes like some sort of family to me, especially when we live together for weeks like a team. It's still a life I like and every new movie set is an adventure.
The set visit was more then a year ago, Gerard made another 3 films and a year later we meet him in NY, during Chasing Mavericks promotion (a movie with Elisabeth Shue, again a sport role as a surfer who knows how to dance with the waves).
- Almost always the filming and set meetings become life pieces for me. Many of my films are oriented to a young adult audience, for example I adore voicing great animated movies. 300 is the reason many continue to see me as an all-muscles-Scottish guy, with an appealing glamour. I'm tired of that image. I became co-producer to Muccino. Being involved in production became determinant for me.
He still has sun bleached hair and says that is was exciting discovering that surfing was like the music:
- You follow your movements and flow of the waves with an authentic musical sense , he explains. The film by Curtis Hanson and Michael Apted gave me an incredible energy, I experienced a symbiosis with my character, even though I had an accident during filming.
He is versatile in his real life, as he is in his career, although he now wants a dramatic role. It seems he wants to distance himself from some light roles he did - the one he made with Jennifer Aniston – but he still has pleasant memories of Phantom Of The Opera:
- Sometimes, movies don't do as well as you hoped for, but later the public still discover them on DVD, tell you they loved your effort and you realise it all makes sense.
He detests for sure being on "The Most Sexy Actors lists" and sees himself in theater in the future, like when he started his career. After Muccino's film, he took on Shakespeare in Coriolanus, directed by Ralph Fiennes
– It was magnificent. Ralph was completely dedicated to this effort, absolute dedication. He filled me with gratitude for choosing me. Yes, we British actors feel connected, we are recognized by our accents: Londonese, Irish, Scottish. And I'm not telling this with superiority, Shakespeare remains our common ground. We have an energy and a passion that Hollywood can never completely corrupt. We have an alchemy between us, that sometimes is hard to find between American actors. I would lie if I say I don't miss Europe, but I live in NY, where I can find almost European moments during my day.
You live in a splendid loft, with frescos on ceilings, photographed in Architectural Digest. How do you live your days?
- My work means constant travelling, but staying home is my joy. I really care a lot about my library, my plants, my paintings. It took me a lot of time to buy a place. I would have liked one in Notting Hill, Bloomsbury... But, I live mainly in USA and NY is a metropolis that still fascinates me. Therefore, I created a little old European corner in my loft, not modern by any means. I was always fascinated by architects and their work. If I'm not working, I'm at home, reading, going out with friends, taking long walks, going to theaters. There's nothing secret about my life, it's all simple.
You don't come across as a simple person...
- I became one. I smoothed my contrasts, dissatisfactions, ambitions, eliminating all unhealthy dependencies; learned to appreciate the value of good memories and all that I have. I love acting , but I have other interests. This surfing movie, for example was a real revelation. I experienced a micro universe that lives in symbiosis with the Pacific or Atlantic waves, with nature.
Is there something that Muccino's bittersweet and gentle comedy gave you?
- A better understanding of women. Besides the gossip/rumours about my presumed flirts, I have a lot a female friends. But, I never got to talk so much with actresses as on that set. All the women characters dissatisfactions are very well explained. The film will create a lot of discussion.
It seems you want to distance yourself from a certain maschilism, made of conquests and physical presence...
- I'm not interested in soccer player's maschilism, but it's not easy for actors. Many colleagues suffer solitude, eradication. Finding a woman that is not a colleague with similar life, a woman able to guarantee you stability is very complicated for an actor. I have an authentic admiration for Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner. I've seen many marriages fail, like the one of Madonna and my friend Guy Ritchie, who is now happily married and a dad again. One day it'll happen to me. But I lost the train to be a young dad. I would have liked that.
The children in Muccino's film were always around you on set...
- I love children, I assume seeing them grow is a fantastic experience. I was really feeling close to them, they considered me like some sort of a substitute dad. Gabriele who is also an attentive father was magnificent with our little actors. Actresses were dissatisfied mothers in the movie, but impatient real mothers waiting to get home to their children.
In the past you had to deal with some auto destructive aspects of your life: is it all in the past?
- Yes, but I don't forget the anxiety that led me to abandon my law career, that corroded me at some points in my movie career. I believe that stability comes from the ability to follow your dreams. And there are movies that bring you back completely the capacity to dream, that can transmit you the serenity found in some Shakespearean pages.
How much of your time you spend on your image?
- Not much, but I like being elegant, I tend to be somewhat traditional, like most Anglo-Saxons. I prefer dandy tones, to those shabby/slovenly.
What are your most important values, of your first 40 years?
- Scotland remains profoundly rooted in my heart with its green spaces, its music, traditions. My parents divorced, but a deep sense of morality, loyalty to ideals came from my family. My formation with its roots deeply rooted in Irish, Scottish catholic culture was fundamental.
What is the most annoying aspect of your star image/status?
- The word star. Because it reduces you to just a red carpet, party figure. It doesn't coincide with an 26 year old guy , who after studying law decides to become an actor.
One adjective to define your personality.
- Deep down, I'm a romantic, and that's why I found a precise need for it in Gabriele's movie.
Have you got a role model?
- There was a man that had a profound influence on me, his elegance and his charm. David Niven. Young people don't know who he is, but looking at his photos you think – how elegant. He is a man capable of transmitting you a smile, always.
Thank You Elinoire
