Long interview for Filmreporter in Germany..
www.filmreporter.de/stars/interview/3884-Gerard-Butler-lebt-gefaehrlich'Sometimes I like the risk'
Gerard Butler is living dangerously
Action roles suit Gerard Butler . In "Olympus Has Fallen - The world is in danger" the Scottish actor defended the White House and the U.S. President against the attack of North Korean terrorists. In an interview with Gerard Butler Filmreporter.de reveals why he now and then an adrenaline kick it needs and how it is with his reputation as a womanizer. Furthermore, we explain the likeable cast, which aims to drive him as an actor and how it came about that he saved a young life.
Ricore: In "Olympus Has Fallen" you play a secret service agent. How many bodyguards do you have?
Butler: None at all. Here in Munich, I have only one driver who is more my city guide because my bodyguard (laughs).
Ricore: Do you have to be a Hollywood star not worry kidnapped?
Butler: Yes. I think the chance of being run over by a bus is greater. I also do not believe in to make me constantly worrying. For larger events bodyguards are made because of the many paparazzi and fans of course.
Ricore: See the job of a bodyguard after her last film role in a different light?
Butler: Definitely. Lifeguards must train have great knowledge and they need the ability to adapt to any situation. A secret agent must also comply with unbridled passion his duty. Such an agent can always just make everything absolutely. If something goes wrong, can have disastrous consequences.
Ricore: Have you met real secret agents to prepare for her role?
Butler: Oh yes. I was surrounded by agents (laughs). No, so we talked with them while we developed the script. I wanted to know exactly how an agent behaves in different situations, who has the responsibility and how communication takes place. That was fascinating to me.
Ricore: And how close you are to ever come to a president?
Butler: I'm Bill Clinton met four weeks ago, but that was after the shooting. I was in fact invited to the White House to the White House Correspondents' Dinner this year. This event might be called the political Academy Awards. It was a really fun evening. I have met people like the journalist Piers Morgan and the politician Newt Gingrich.
Ricore: And how it came to the meeting with Bill Clinton?
Butler: An employee of Clinton can align myself that I should yet come to a meeting of the Clinton Foundation. And as he held there before the day before his audience, he said, referring to me, that I was one of his favorite actors and on top of that the White House had saved (laughs). Many presidents have probably seen and liked the movie.
Ricore: Have you dreamed as a child of becoming a secret agent?
Butler: No, but I have great respect for what those men or soldiers are. I myself have always wanted to be an actor.
Ricore: Is it true that once you have broken two vertebrae while filming?
Butler: That is correct. I often find myself holding roles, which may lead to accidents sometimes. Sometimes I just like the risk, the excitement and the adrenaline in action scenes. In this way I can conquer my own fears. So sometimes I'm just too stupid stuff (laughs).
Ricore: "Olympus Has Fallen" is very patriotic. Are you a Scot and a patriot?
Butler: So it's just a Hollywood movie and a seemingly impregnable fortress of the White House is well-suited for a story about terrorists. I also think that America did not come off so well in the staging. Finally, do not grab the entire safety regulations yes in the attack on the White House. And then a hero comes into play precisely.
Ricore: Do you think that we need real heroes in today's time?
Butler: We always need someone to whom we can look up to. My current hero is Bill Clinton. He has an incredible personality and achieved everything that he makes himself. Meeting him was a highlight for me.
Ricore: How good you were as a politician?
Butler: Not at all. But I'm just not smart enough (laughs). I've never considered going into politics. The seven years that I have worked in a law firm were not very exciting. As a child I dreamed to be more football players. Now I'm too long out of the issue to work as a lawyer.
Ricore: In addition to "Olympus Has Fallen" comes this year, Roland Emmerich 's " White House Down "in theaters, which also deals with an attack on the White House. Have you seen a special competition in this movie?
Butler: Regardless of Emmerich's film, we just wanted to offer the public great entertainment and I think our contribution has become an exciting thriller that deals with the theme of heroism.
Ricore: You have a brother and a sister. How important is your family?
Butler: My family means everything to me. My sisters are both married, I have four nieces and last weekend was, for example, still in the first communion of one of the girls in Scotland. Sometimes it's hard, that I can not see my family as often, since I live in Hollywood and travel around a lot.
Ricore: Can you imagine to have my own family with children?
Butler: I can imagine a lot (laughs).
She currently lives in a committed relationship: Ricore?
Butler: Currently not, but eventually I want to be even more sedentary.
Ricore: Really? Yes they have a certain reputation, which affects women?
Butler: That's a long time ago (laughs). You know, I can laugh about it. I'm certainly no angel, but I work hard, take my job seriously and live a passionate life.
Ricore: What qualities must a woman, so you like it?
Butler: always depends on the moment and the person. I had very different relationships with women. Generally I like partners who have a special sense of humor, are self-confident, sweet and honest.
Ricore: " 300 "was your first big movie.
Butler: The movie was not great, but a damn great movie (laughs).
Ricore: Now it is the continuation " : 300 Rise Of An Empire 3D type ", in which you will not play. How is this movie work without you?
Butler: I think he will be great. I was simply not available for this film due to scheduling reasons. But I'm really looking forward to watch it to me.
Ricore: What are your best and worst experiences so far as an actor?
Butler: The worst experience I'm doing at this moment (laughs). So the best thing is probably that you can do as an actor in some people. If, for example, a child meets at a workshop in India, one says that the movie "300" has inspired to change his life. Then I have a wife in Mexico City learned that from my role in "thrilled Phantom of the Opera "was. It's a great feeling to people with his films make you laugh and cry. It is also important not to take too seriously, despite his awareness.
Ricore: Can you still go on for ever public places without being detected?
Butler: I would be lying if I might say, my success would have not changed much. But of course I can even go to a pub in Edinburgh. I just try to continue my life as normal.
Ricore: They were sometimes fronting a Scottish rock band.
Butler: That's right. During my law studies I founded a band with a couple of buddies and we played in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Sometimes in front of 200 people, sometimes just before seven spectators (laughs).
Ricore: Is there anything that you miss about your career?
Butler: So I just want to continue to work very motivated with good scripts and great directors and thereby improve myself further. It's always a challenge to inspire the audience in the cinema. There are so many things I still lack, but when I consider where I started, I am very satisfied.
Ricore: You are a member of Artists for Peace and Justice organization. What motivates it?
Butler: It was as important to worry about after the earthquake in Haiti with a charity event to ensure that as many children can go to school again. We have built a school building with the money, they teach the children currently 1,800 of qualified teachers. We hope that the establishment is a model for other schools in Haiti.
Ricore: You once saved a boy from drowning. Are you still in contact with him?
Butler: No, it's too long ago. But he then wrote me a letter of thanks. The 13-year-old boy was the son of a British family and without his parents on the go. In a dangerous place of a river in Scotland he went to bathe. When I was just falling asleep, I was awakened by his cries for help. So I ran to the river, saw the boy and helped him out of the water. That was a scary moment. Later, I was present at several car accidents and've also rescued a man who was beaten by six other types. For this also I have rescued three people times when I was beaten by someone. So it all evens out in life.
Ricore: Visit Scotland often your home if you are in Europe?
Butler: Yes, I am about three times a year there. I just think that Scotland is the most beautiful country on earth. As are my family, friends and this great scenery of the Highlands. I just love the humor of the people and the history of the country. When I'm there, I can sometimes forget all this Hollywood bullshit (laughs).
Ricore: Thanks for the interview.
Stefan chicken / Filmreporter.de - 12 June 2013