Scottish hunk Gerard Butler is quickly becoming a major movie star worldwide, but at this stage his abs are probably his best-known asset. In the promotional materials for the smash hit epic “300,” Butler’s stomach is displayed like a hunter’s trophy, glistening with computer-enhanced sheen. Still, with “300” and an impressive, expanding list of film credits, Butler is proving he has the chops to upstage his fabulous mid-section.
Butler got his start in acting with the 1997 Judi Dench film “Mrs. Brown,” a period piece about the life of Queen Victoria. He slowly established himself as a reliable character actor, and had women around the world swooning with bit parts in the James Bond film “Tomorrow Never Dies,” a UK film version of Chekov’s “The Cherry Orchard,” and alongside Andie MacDowell and Adrien Brody in the 2000 indie “Harrison’s Flowers.” Recently, Butler was long rumored to be Pierce Brosnan’s replacement in the role of James Bond for “Casino Royale.” Ultimately Daniel Craig picked up the part.
Butler’s career took off in the title role of “Dracula 2000,” a minor hit that paved the way for the popular TV serial “Atilla” in 2001 and meaty roles snogging Angelina Jolie in “Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life” and alongside Christian Bale and Matthew McConaughey in the underrated actioner “Reign of Fire.” But it was his sensitive performance as The Phantom in Joel Schumacher’s ravishing 2004 screen version of “Phantom of the Opera” that brought him major stardom, and introduced him to a massive, diverse audience. Butler became close friends with starlet Emmy Rossum while shooting the film, and considers her a ‘little sister.’
After the tidal wave of “300” dies down (the film opened to a March-record $71 million), Butler will appear in the romance “P.S., I Love You” with Hilary Swank.