Back in 2007, Scottish actor Gerard Butler earned next-big-thing status in Hollywood by playing King Leonidas in the $210 million hit 300. He followed it up by co-starring with Hilary Swank in the tepid rom com P.S. I Love You and Jodie Foster in the tepid kid pic Nim’s Island, before returning to action with Guy Ritchie’s little-seen Rocknrolla (2008). Then came another rom com: The Ugly Truth, opposite Katherine Heigl. The movie has earned $88 million so far, making it Butler’s biggest hit by far since 300.
And now the great Scot is back in a new action pic, Gamer, that barely eked out a fourth-place finish at the box office this weekend (check out the trailer below). It’s enough to make anybody wonder: What do audiences want from this guy?
Personally, I think Butler’s at his best in action roles. Great abs translate to any genre, but for me, his brawny charm gets a little muffled when he’s stuffed into goofy loverboy roles like the ones he played in P.S. I Love You and The Ugly Truth. I’m not saying that Gamer is a step in the right direction, but I’d rather watch Butler break bones than hearts any day.
What do you think, PopWatchers? Should Butler stick to action pics or romantic comedies? Or do you like him in both?
I think “Timeline” was a good compromise of action and romance for Butler, with a liberal dose of his natural Scottish accent.
Oh God….his accent…..
I can’t stand romantic comedies myself, so I’m much more likely to watch him in an action movie or a thriller. And yes, bring back the accent!!!
I do prefer him in action films over rom coms, but honestly, I’ll watch him in anything. So as long as he keeps making movies, I don’t care what genre they are in.
Drama/thriller first (bad boy image). Action second. Romantic third.
Would love to see Gerard in a drama bad boy movie. “Law Abiding Citizen” next month. The one to see.
I would listen to/watch him read the phone book.
You are too funny girl! I love it.
I like Gerard Butler in anything, but I prefer his action. There is no way any romantic comedy is going to trump him in 300.
Gerard Butler is great in both type of movies. He is that versital type of actor who can do it all and still br great in anything he does
I have to agree with Kathy above, however, as Grace said, “Law Abiding Citizen” will be one to see. I’d love to see him in meatier dramatic roles.
Don’t forget he was in the Phantom in Phantom of the Opera. His career has a WTF aspect to it like he doesn’t know what he wants to be.
I think it’s more that he doesn’t want to get typecast as any one thing – didn’t he already say that he wouldn’t do a Bond movie because it’d be likely he’d never be seen as anything else? I think it’s interesting and wonderful that someone can be so diverse – most actors just get stuck in making the same movies over and over again. Gotta love that.
I think he is the most diverse actor of the day. I’m certainly waiting with breathless excitement for ‘Law Abiding Citizen’ – I agree with the more meatier roles.
I loooooooved him in Rocknrolla, he was a flubbing gangster, funnyman, all around lovable guy! and bonus, Thandy Newton’s love interest!
I would watch him in anything. I love his Scottish accent the best.
Did anyone see him in “Dear Frankie”? He was phenomenal. A little sleeper film that was charming, touching, and filled with his accent. Emily Mortimer was great, too. And it boasts one of THE best screen kisses in history!
Wish I had, but it didn’t play here in Australia and the darn video stores don’t stock it. I’m gonna have to buy it if I want to see it. Glad to hear it was good, though… Thanks!
Yes! “Dear Frankie” really showed off his acting ability. I’m not sure it’s a genre issue with him as much as a quality issue. That really goes for a lot of people in Hollywood. It seems like a good film is hard to come by these days across the board. But overall, I do prefer him in dramas/thrillers/action.
Yes! What a great movie… I also loved Rocknrolla, thought he was very good in that.
I agree 100% with this! I think the problem is that the romantic comedies he chooses are really weak and banal. Dear Frankie” was a sweet movie and he was great in it.
Fabulous movie Dear Frankie
No more romantic comedies please! I can’t stand that genre anyway. I’d prefer a good mix of action and drama, with Butler as the bad guy. No more American accents. He’s Scottish–let him be Scottish.
The best thing Butler did was “Atilla”, which was made for TV. He was mesmerizing in it.
Saw “Gamer” last weekend and while it wasn’t the best movie ever, he was pretty awesome in it. Personally, I’ve loved him ever since he was the best thing in the otherwise dreadful “Dracula 2000″ and will continue to watch him, no matter how many movies he does with Heigl. But yes, “Law Abiding Citizen” is the one I can’t wait for.