'I got trapped and almost drowned': Gerard Butler reveals a surfing stunt nearly ended his life... but admits he still likes to take 'fun' risks on set
He is one of the many stars who likes to get as involved as possible with their film stunts.
But Gerard Butler has revealed that one close call during filming has made him step back and be a bit less eager when filming risky stunts.
Speaking to Esquire Middle East, the 45-year-old explained: ‘On the surf movie, Chasing Mavericks, I had to surf one of the most dangerous waves in the world and I got trapped under it – I almost drowned as a result.’
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Dangerous: Gerard Butler has revealed that one close call during filming has made him step back and be a bit less eager when filming risky stunts
He continued: ‘I remember thinking when I was underwater, “This is actually it, I’m done.”
‘I’ve got to learn to be a little less dedicated sometimes – a little less involved in the stunts, but it’s all part of the fun.’
The 2012 surfing film followed young Jay Moriarity when he discovers that the mythic Mavericks surf break, one of the biggest waves on Earth, exists just miles from his Santa Cruz home.
He enlists the help of local legend Frosty Hesson (Butler) to train him to survive it.
Dapper: The Scots looked handsome as ever in a new shoot with Esquire Middle East
When asked what he thought the profession he might have taken in a world where acting did not exist, he replied: ‘I’d probably be at home going, “What am I doing with my life, I need to do something!”
He added: ‘I’m surrounded by a lot of people when I’m working, and when I’m not acting I like to sometimes be away from everybody.
‘I live on a ranch in Malibu in the middle of nowhere and I love it. I’ve often thought if I wasn’t an actor I would like to be a forest commissioner.'
Scary moment: The 45-year-old explained, ‘On the surf movie, Chasing Mavericks, I had to surf one of the most dangerous waves in the world and I got trapped under it – I almost drowned as a result'
The Olympus Has Fallen star mused: ‘Maybe it’s just a romantic notion but I do like the idea of being forced to interact, for that to be your home and for the cities to be your visits. I like the idea of that.’
Gerard is bad in the firing line for the follow up to his hit movie Olympus Has Fallen and he has been shooting scenes for London Has Fallen outside some of the capital's best known landmarks.
The actor reprises his role as secret service agent Mike Banning for the film, and it looks like he's going into battle again after saving the president from North Korean terrorists in the first movie.
You can read the full interview on the Esquire Middle East website.
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