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Don't get me wrong; I think Gerard Butler is a talented enough guy. I also think he's handsome, funny on talk shows, generally inoffensive, and I found him to be one of the least annoying things about The Ugly Truth. So it's not like I don't think he should be a movie star, because, sure, why shouldn't he? It's just that I'm worried his career path is increasingly molding him to be a lesser Jason Statham in the end, and whether he's been trying to rival the Statham or this whole thing is just a coincidence, I still don't like it.
The Guy Richie Connection
The Statham of course has a long Richie connection, with Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998), Snatch (2000), and Revolver. And after Richie was past his filmmaking prime Gerard Butler starred as lead badass in RocknRolla last year. That's a downgrade for both Butler and the audience.
The Neveldine/Taylor Connection
The Statham starred in those lunatics' calling cards Crank and Crank 2. Then Gerard Butler starred in Gamer, the best scene of which features Michael C. Hall doing a Broadway number. So yeah, it's a lesser action work.
The My Wife and Child Were Murdered and I Want Vigilante Justice Connection
Gerard Butler has this week's Law Abiding Citizen; The Statham had last year's Death Race. Death Race was awful, but Law Abiding Citizen has Jamie Foxx and one of the hammiest trailers I've ever seen, so I haven't even seen it yet and I know it's likely not much better.
The Unremitting Bad Ass Connection
Gerard Butler has 300's Leonidas in his corner, admittedly one seriously tough unremitting bad ass. The Statham, on the other hand, is Chev Chelios and The Transporter, among many others. In this area, however, I will grant a tie, because that 300 poster and Gerard Butler's abs on it are iconic as hell. Though I still say Chelios takes him in a cage match, if one were ever arranged.
So stick to rom-coms is what I'm saying, Gerard Butler. They'll keep you more famous and just as rich as The Statham, and it won't matter that no one is really passionate about your work when you're so rich that Diddy parties on your yacht. Just ask Matthew McConaughey.
The Statham of course has a long Richie connection, with Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998), Snatch (2000), and Revolver. And after Richie was past his filmmaking prime Gerard Butler starred as lead badass in RocknRolla last year. That's a downgrade for both Butler and the audience.
The Neveldine/Taylor Connection
The Statham starred in those lunatics' calling cards Crank and Crank 2. Then Gerard Butler starred in Gamer, the best scene of which features Michael C. Hall doing a Broadway number. So yeah, it's a lesser action work.
The My Wife and Child Were Murdered and I Want Vigilante Justice Connection
Gerard Butler has this week's Law Abiding Citizen; The Statham had last year's Death Race. Death Race was awful, but Law Abiding Citizen has Jamie Foxx and one of the hammiest trailers I've ever seen, so I haven't even seen it yet and I know it's likely not much better.
The Unremitting Bad Ass Connection
Gerard Butler has 300's Leonidas in his corner, admittedly one seriously tough unremitting bad ass. The Statham, on the other hand, is Chev Chelios and The Transporter, among many others. In this area, however, I will grant a tie, because that 300 poster and Gerard Butler's abs on it are iconic as hell. Though I still say Chelios takes him in a cage match, if one were ever arranged.
So stick to rom-coms is what I'm saying, Gerard Butler. They'll keep you more famous and just as rich as The Statham, and it won't matter that no one is really passionate about your work when you're so rich that Diddy parties on your yacht. Just ask Matthew McConaughey.
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When did it become necessary to put movie actors in genre boxes? In the Golden Age male actors went from Romantic Comedy to Action/Adventure without movie fans & bloggers complaining that Clark Cable should stick to light comedy’s and not waste his time on an epic Civil War love story. No one told Gary Cooper he should stick to cowboy movies and avoid romantic comedies. They did them all.
Butler certainly seems a much more capable an actor then Stratham, who is a bit wooden to say the least. And it makes sense from a career stand point to try to do as many types of movies as possible. It’s what actors do, play a variety of roles; it’s not in any actors favor to be type cast.
Well said Elizabeth!
I don't think that Stratham has the versetility that Butler has....he hasn't sung in a role,hasn't danced and as much as I think he's good, he seems to be in one type of film only.... playing a tough ,sensitive guy. Butler has a larger film core, has played The Phantom, the King in "300" and several comedies. I didn't think "Gamer" did him justice but am looking foreward to LAC to make up for that .
Gerard Butler should do more movies like 300, obviously. Why more romantic comedies, the likes of which I will never watch? More abs please!
I agree with Elizabeth. Let him make as many different kinds of movies he can. I love him in everything he does. He's amazing.
Gerard Butler is no Jason Statham, THANK GOD!!!!! Gerard Butler can actually act and hold an audience! Jason, not so much! I think the career path Butler has taken is impressive. He cannot be pegged and it's driving critics and pundits nuts!!!! They love to plug actors in their little slots, Butler is not allowing that. He is his own man and damn, what a fine man he is!
Brava, Elizabeth!
actually, keep him in action movies. Otherwise he might once again horrify audiences as he did in Phantom of the Opera. Until Statham breaks into song, he's got my vote...
I agree!!!! Thank God he is no Jason Statham - he is such a versatile actor - performances in 300 and the Phantom were absolutely fantastic and that's underplaying it!!!! The guy has endless talent and just happens to be drop dead gorgeous too!!! Go Gerry, Go Gerry, Go Gerry :o)
Yuck, Jason Statham is awful. I just don't get his appeal, Crank was one of the worst films I've ever seen. Gerard Butler is okay, I'm not a big fangirl or anything, but him not being anything like "The Statham" can only be a good thing.
I would prefer to see the Statham and GB making out, as opposed to in competition with each other, but I recognize that's a minority sentiment.
Gerry Butler acts circles around Jason Statham, kicks his a$$ and steals his lunch money. Without spilling his coffee.
Who hell is Jason Statham???
What a ludicrous idea to compare two actors!! Two actors with distinctively different acting styles and following different career paths. Your argument falls off the cliff from the getgo and you call yourself a critic? Come back in two years and we'll talk. What motivates you to pitch rivalry between these two actors? More hits on your blog? How pathetic.
What a weird blog. Butler is great, and nothing like Statham. Now I like Statham, but it's weird to compare the two and assume the things you don't like about Statham are what you think are what you're not going to like about Butler now. Because they're both from the UK, accented, and like to play toughies... they're directly comparable? Whatevs. Do I think Tommy Lee Jones and Matthew McConaghey are directly comparable because they're both from Texas and heavily accented? No. And what's wrong with RockNRolla? I liked that movie, and Butler was great in it. Typical Ritchie movie, but Butler's role was not a typical action role.
I'm with Chadwick. Or for those of you not into the hoyay, we could have them fight it out. Shirtless. There could be some sort of oil involved.
First Cracked spits out an idiotic tirade against Joss Whedon, now TWoP's worst blogger is making inane statements? What happened to the internet? Did it get even more retarded?
LMAO Chadwick -indeed, can we have a movie with Statham and Butler together doing whatever...
I'm with "Laura" who on earth is Jason Stathem? Even my grandma knows who Gerard Butler is!
sorry gypsy, but Jason is trained "for real" in martial arts, Butler lets stunt guys do his takes
Ok, I hate romantic comedies, and I'm a woman. Please, more action for Gerard. 300 is one of my favorite movies and he was just freaking sexy in that film.
I think this article is accurate in comparing two pretty Brits boy who'll be forgotten in the long run as looks fade and talent can't keep up. Which one am I talking about? You decide. But if it were a Statham v. Butler match up, my money is on the guy with actual martial arts ability...sorry Gerry, but everyone knows your abs are painted on...
Sorry Mindy Monez, my vote goes to Elizabeth, but nice try...
Oh, but Chadwick FTW!!!
To Nikki and getreal, JS may do his own martial arts, but he sucks as an actor. JS ahould be a stunt double or fight choreographer. Still, I do like the idea of those 2 oil wresting :D