TIME WARNER
Moderator: GEMMA CACHO
December 7, 2007
7:00 pm CT
Coordinator:
Welcome and thank you for standing by. Today's conference is being recorded. If you have any objections you may disconnect at this time.
All participants are in a listen-only mode. During the question and answer session, please press Star/1 on your touchtone phone. Record your name clearly when prompted. Your name is required to introduce your question. To withdraw your request press Star/2.
One moment please for the first question.
Gerard Butler:
I'm not hearing anything. Am I supposed to? No I said hello to the operator. But then introduce yourself, give your name and your question will be asked. Nobody's here. It's nice nobody can be bothered asking a question.
Woman:
Hello?
Woman:
Hello? Are you on?
(Moe):
I'm on. This is (Moe) from GB.net.
Gerard Butler:
Hi.
(Moe):
Hi.
Gerard Butler:
That's a little weird. I don't quite understand what happened here. However, I spoke to the operator. Then it went dead.
(Moe):
That's weird. Well can I ask my question then?
Gerard Butler:
Yes.
(Moe):
Excellent. So I hear that there are kind of shout outs to the fans in the film. Not to get to spoiler, but what kind of thing should the fans be looking for? Like what little hints?
Gerard Butler:
Shout out to the fans?
(Moe):
Yes, somebody said that you said that there were like things that fans would know. I dont know names or something that goes in the film that a fan could go, oh yes that's something that we do or I don't know. Like parts or -
Gerard Butler:
No I think that's one of the fans with an overactive imagination. Because I mean I know that I wear my own jewelry in the film and stuff that the fans have commented on but I don't even recall ever mentioning that in any interview so.
(Moe):
Okay.
Gerard Butler:
It's amazing what some people come up with. You know, and he said this so this is what he really means. But in actual fact, I didn't say anything about that.
(Moe):
Okay.
Gerard Butler:
Oh I'm sorry to disappoint you.
(Moe):
No, no, I'm not disappointed at all. I'm just waiting to see if there's somebody else with a question.
(Cynthia):
(Unintelligible).
(Moe):
Hello? Is there anybody else on?
(Cynthia):
Can you hear me?
Gerard Butler:
Yes.
(Cynthia):
Hello?
(Moe):
Hello?
(Cynthia):
Hello?
Gerard Butler:
Hello.
(Cynthia):
(Gerry)?
Gerard Butler:
Yes?
(Cynthia):
This is (Cynthia) with Celtic Hearts.
Gerard Butler:
Hey, how are you?
(Cynthia):
I'm fine, how are you?
Gerard Butler:
I'm okay, I'm okay.
(Cynthia):
Good, sorry I didn't talk to you. I do have a question.
Gerard Butler:
Okay.
(Cynthia):
You've played numerous roles, Attila, The Phantom, the King, which by the way you were spectacular in.
Gerard Butler:
Thank you.
(Cynthia):
Now in P.S. I love you; you play a guy named Gerry basically a dead guy. How involved with your character's development do you get to be?
Gerard Butler:
How involved am I in my character's development?
(Cynthia):
Yes, you know, in the image and in the working with it?
Gerard Butler:
Well there's already a set story there. So we know that Gerry dies pretty much at the beginning and through a series of flashbacks, their life and relationship together is remembered. So there are certain things that are kind of set.
And then I would describe it as putting flesh on the bones. You know, how do you make that come alive? How do you make him kind of live and breathe and show the extra charm, or the extra humor, or the more sentimental parts. And that's what I would try and portray.
And with Richard, he allowed us to or allowed me to really be quite involved in terms of certain changes to in either tightening or just moving things around with Gerry's character. And I was amazed how much he trusted me and let me work with him on that. So that was pretty cool.
But I'm not going to be able to change things too much like I dont think Gerry should die in the first place.
(Cynthia):
Was it weird being called Gerry in the film?
Gerard Butler:
Yes.
(Cynthia):
I mean your name is Gerry. Didn't that seem weird when they called you that as your character too?
Gerard Butler:
Yes it did a little bit especially since his name was Gerry and he died of a brain tumor. It was sort of like, okay. And I think I was smoking about 45 a day at that point. I have since quit by the way. I quit shortly after the film.
And I think it was spurred on by appreciating how lucky I've been when guys like Gerry who you feel wasn't a smoker and wasn't a particularly unhealthy guy should be taken away so early that you think, well I should pay a little more attention to how I look out for myself. And so I stopped shortly after.
But it was kind of cool being called Gerry as well because it allowed me to give a little more of my own energy and personality and feel very free and natural with that. There was a lot of me in Gerry.
(Cynthia):
That is so cool. I can't believe I'm talking to you.
Gerard Butler:
Thanks, you too.
Coordinator:
Our next question comes from (Kim Brown). Your line is open.
(Kim Brown):
Hi Gerard.
Gerard Butler:
Hey.
(Kim Brown):
This is (Kim Brown). I'm the owner of GBUSA.
Gerard Butler:
How are you?
(Kim Brown):
I'm doing fine, thank you.
Gerard Butler:
Good.
(Kim Brown):
I wanted to ask you if there was anything that you may have learned in your role as Gerry Kennedy that you could share or with any of those who might be saying goodbye to a loved one. How to find life after their loved one is gone?
Gerard Butler:
All right. Say that again?
(Kim Brown):
Okay, is there anything that you could share with us that maybe you learned playing Gerry Kennedy
Gerard Butler:
Yes?
(Kim Brown):
that has to do with saying good bye to a loved one or how to find life after the loved one is gone?
Gerard Butler:
You know, in some ways the shoe is on the other foot when it comes to Gerry because it's the loved one who's been left who has to say goodbye to him.
So I dont really know. I mean I think - I kind of feel like I should give you something more profound and interesting than I'm about to but it's the end of a very long day and that's probably the most difficult question I've had.
(Kim Brown):
Sorry.
Gerard Butler:
No it's okay. But I kind of feel I am about to go out on a limb and say something and then go, it's too big a topic to sort of throw something out willy-nilly. But I always felt that was more a Hilary thing I think on how to. You know, he's already gone.
When he leaves, he's already written his letters. And there's not much can be changed in that respect. It's how she reacts to that. And how she says goodbye to him I think. So I don't know, I don't know. Maybe by the end of this phone conversation something else will come up.
(Kim Brown):
That's fine. I appreciate your answer, thanks.
Gerard Butler:
No problem.
Coordinator:
Our next question comes from (Ashley Kath-Bilsky). Your line is open.
(Ashley Kath-Bilsky):
Hi Gerry.
Gerard Butler:
Hi.
(Ashley Kath-Bilsky):
Hi. I have a question for you. First I wanted to commend your work on 300 and Shattered. I thought both were - you were great in both of them.
Gerard Butler:
Thank you.
(Ashley Kath-Bilsky):
My question is about comedy versus drama. And the character that you play seems -- in P.S. I love you -- seems more free spirited. He's funny. He's real carefree. As an actor which do you prefer or find more interesting to interpret somebody in drama or comedy?
Gerard Butler:
I think that they kind of both have their advantages. I mean when you watch a movie like 300, and you see all that come together. And there's something so methodical and profound about the struggle that you've dealt with, the power that you've commanded and you remember playing that. Or as you play it, the power that surrounds you, that is such a cool thing to experience.
And there's was times when I was doing that thinking, what a one in a million, what an opportunity to be standing up there and playing this person who once led and who achieved something so ominous and incredible and death defying. And to see that all come together that's pretty special.
But there's times as well you miss the more gentle, real human side of life which I had the chance to delve into in P.S. I love you. And to play with the comedy and to read lines where I'd literally read them and go, oh, God how lucky am I to be seeing this? How lucky am I to be doing this with Hilary Swank.
There's times that you can appreciate both. And then there's often times that you're doing one and you wish you were doing the other. You know, and you kind of miss maybe the grand scale of a 300. Or when you're doing the 300 you miss the intimacy of a P.S. I love you.
So it's hard to say. I've found that whenever I finished one, I really want to go and do the other.
(Ashley Kath-Bilsky):
Thank you.
Coordinator:
Our next question comes from (Linda Gonzalez). Your line is open.
(Linda Gonzalez):
Hello Gerry.
Gerard Butler:
Hey (Linda).
(Linda Gonzalez):
Hi. I want to thank you and Warner Brothers so much first of all for holding this press conference with us. We really appreciate it. And my question is, you have been quoted as saying that this was a chance for you to really come alive in a role and give a lot of yourself. And how you did something you could give some Gerry juice to.
What did you give to this role and what exactly is Gerry juice?
Gerard Butler:
Do me a favor, could you give me the start of that again? Because I've been hearing this a lot in the last two days. And I'm not denying. I know Gerry juice is a word I've used a lot as a joke. But I just don't remember when - I don't remember when I said it. And
(Linda Gonzalez):
Oh, I saw it on the Extra TV show the other day.
Gerard Butler:
Oh it was Extra, that show. But what was the start of the quote?
(Linda Gonzalez):
This was a chance for you to really come alive in a role and give a lot of yourself. And you needed something you could give some Gerry juice to.
Gerard Butler:
Okay. And well here's the thing. You guys know me. You know what I'm like. You know that I can be vivacious and silly and loud and like a big puppy dog basically. And you hadn't really seen that. Or I hadn't really seen me having a chance to do that for a long time in film.
When I go out with friends or whomever I'm out with, my agent or my manager and I get down to my joke telling sessions or just, you know, how they've come to know me, they're always like sitting there going, why don't you do a comedy? Or they can't believe, you know, you need to show this side of yourself. And one day somebody said the word "Gerry juice."
It's got to be, you know, - this is it. You need to get some of that Gerry juice. And it became a thing that we would always say. So we talk about a role and we go, I can give that some Gerry juice. Or, you know, this is a Gerry juice role. But I just always - I should be careful about throwing that word around in public. And I guess I did.
So when P.S. I love you came along, it was, you know, here was a guy that just had such a great outlook on life. Who was sharp, funny, witty, with a big heart. And you just had a chance to put a whole massive infusion of personality into it. And that's, you know, what I figured I could I bring to it. You know, the better more fun parts of myself, yes, the Gerry juice.
(Linda Gonzalez):
Okay thank you so much.
Gerard Butler:
Thank you.
Coordinator:
And our last and final question comes from (Dayna Linton). Your line is open.
(Dayna Linton):
Hi Gerry.
Gerard Butler:
Hey (Dayna).
(Dayna Linton):
How are you?
Gerard Butler:
Good, how are you doing?
(Dayna Linton):
You're actually feeling better? We hear you've had a chest infection.
Gerard Butler:
Yes, the chest infection. But you know what? I've been sick a couple of times since I last spoke to you guys. I got sick on the Guy Ritchie film and I missed four days of work, five days of work maybe. And that's the first time I've ever missed filming in 11 years, I've ever missed a day through illness.
But then I got another chest infection when I went to New Mexico. And I think basically too many climates, too many environments, too much working and I was a little rundown.
(Dayna Linton):
I hope you're feeling a lot better.
Gerard Butler:
Yes, much better.
(Dayna Linton):
Good because that's one of the questions we had. A lot, many people have asked that question. Okay, I'm going to switch gears a little bit if you don't mind. And basically the last phone call I asked you a question in February. And it was, if you could write a role for yourself to play, what would it be. And you answered, Robert Burns.
So what is it about the Scottish poet and songwriter, Robert Burns that makes him so compelling to you? And do you see yourself starring as Robert Burns any time soon?
Gerard Butler:
Right. Well, the first part of the question, I think that whenever anybody comes from any particular country, I'm sure they have a lot of national pride and a kind of connection and a pride with previous characters that have excelled from that country.
And, you know, we're not exactly known for our literary heroes. So Burns really stands out. And doesn't just seem to stand out but stands pretty much miles ahead and shoulders, many heads and shoulders above everybody else. And on top of that, I love when somebody can achieve so much but not be boring with it.
Still manage to eat up the rest of life and be an outrageous character, and be a brave character, and even embrace the dark side which he did. So I mean he just seemed to be so many things. A lover, a (unintelligible) and yet have such a soft sensitive heart and try so hard and @#%$ up so hard.
And, you know, he had a rich and interesting, and painful life. But he gave so much I feel. He was so incredibly talented. And I guess that was always going to shine through. So that makes me very proud that he was a Scott and that he was who he was.
So the chance to say something about him and to kind of bring that more to the public knowledge and tell a story that is such a great story and play such a fascinating character really appeals to me. And as usual, would be a role that I could take a little bit of criticism for because people will go, he's no Burns.
Burns is shorter than him. He's not talented enough to be Burns. And Michael Crawford should have been Burns. You know, or something like that.
(Dayna Linton):
(Unintelligible).
Gerard Butler:
I always like to set myself up for this. Tom Cruise should have been Burns. You know, suddenly that
(Dayna Linton):
Don't even go there.
Gerard Butler:
Burns was the same height as Tom Cruise. He was only three foot seven, sorry. But anyway, and the plan is hopefully to do it as some point next year. There's a lot going on at the moment.
The director's been busy. I've obviously been busy. And believe it or not even at this stage, Burns is still a hard movie to finance. It just is by the nature of it. He's not quite as -- even though the script is phenomenal -- but he and his writing no matter how delicious they are when you get a chance to know them, they're still not quite as accessible as many Scotts would like to believe they are. He was for them.
But it is a great story and it will be told. And hopefully it will happen next year.
(Dayna Linton):
Now do you think there's any possibility of having it released but in time for the 250th birthday celebration?
Gerard Butler:
Yes, I'm not sure that's going to happen. And there's been a lot of discussion about that. And that would be an awesome thing if it could be released in time for that. But to be honest, if Burns is going to make it as a movie, I think it 's too provincial an idea to think that it's going to happen just because it's released on its 250th anniversary.
And my view is it's also not having enough confidence in the movie itself. Despite wanting to tell his story, and despite, again, Scotts thinking that Burns is maybe the most famous person whoever lived. He's not.
This movie has to be able to survive as a story in itself. You know, whether it was happening at that time to me is a little too gimmicky. I think that it should be a great film and a great story in itself and irrelevant if it's released on that. It would be nice if it could be but it definitely shouldn't be made for those reasons, or made earlier, made when, you know, when the money's there.
Coordinator:
And this does conclude today's conference call. We want to thank you all for participating.
Gerard Butler:
Thank you everybody. Take care. I can't hear anybody. So I'll just, you know, say goodbye. Bye-bye.
END
Moderator: GEMMA CACHO
December 7, 2007
7:00 pm CT
Coordinator:
Welcome and thank you for standing by. Today's conference is being recorded. If you have any objections you may disconnect at this time.
All participants are in a listen-only mode. During the question and answer session, please press Star/1 on your touchtone phone. Record your name clearly when prompted. Your name is required to introduce your question. To withdraw your request press Star/2.
One moment please for the first question.
Gerard Butler:
I'm not hearing anything. Am I supposed to? No I said hello to the operator. But then introduce yourself, give your name and your question will be asked. Nobody's here. It's nice nobody can be bothered asking a question.
Woman:
Hello?
Woman:
Hello? Are you on?
(Moe):
I'm on. This is (Moe) from GB.net.
Gerard Butler:
Hi.
(Moe):
Hi.
Gerard Butler:
That's a little weird. I don't quite understand what happened here. However, I spoke to the operator. Then it went dead.
(Moe):
That's weird. Well can I ask my question then?
Gerard Butler:
Yes.
(Moe):
Excellent. So I hear that there are kind of shout outs to the fans in the film. Not to get to spoiler, but what kind of thing should the fans be looking for? Like what little hints?
Gerard Butler:
Shout out to the fans?
(Moe):
Yes, somebody said that you said that there were like things that fans would know. I dont know names or something that goes in the film that a fan could go, oh yes that's something that we do or I don't know. Like parts or -
Gerard Butler:
No I think that's one of the fans with an overactive imagination. Because I mean I know that I wear my own jewelry in the film and stuff that the fans have commented on but I don't even recall ever mentioning that in any interview so.
(Moe):
Okay.
Gerard Butler:
It's amazing what some people come up with. You know, and he said this so this is what he really means. But in actual fact, I didn't say anything about that.
(Moe):
Okay.
Gerard Butler:
Oh I'm sorry to disappoint you.
(Moe):
No, no, I'm not disappointed at all. I'm just waiting to see if there's somebody else with a question.
(Cynthia):
(Unintelligible).
(Moe):
Hello? Is there anybody else on?
(Cynthia):
Can you hear me?
Gerard Butler:
Yes.
(Cynthia):
Hello?
(Moe):
Hello?
(Cynthia):
Hello?
Gerard Butler:
Hello.
(Cynthia):
(Gerry)?
Gerard Butler:
Yes?
(Cynthia):
This is (Cynthia) with Celtic Hearts.
Gerard Butler:
Hey, how are you?
(Cynthia):
I'm fine, how are you?
Gerard Butler:
I'm okay, I'm okay.
(Cynthia):
Good, sorry I didn't talk to you. I do have a question.
Gerard Butler:
Okay.
(Cynthia):
You've played numerous roles, Attila, The Phantom, the King, which by the way you were spectacular in.
Gerard Butler:
Thank you.
(Cynthia):
Now in P.S. I love you; you play a guy named Gerry basically a dead guy. How involved with your character's development do you get to be?
Gerard Butler:
How involved am I in my character's development?
(Cynthia):
Yes, you know, in the image and in the working with it?
Gerard Butler:
Well there's already a set story there. So we know that Gerry dies pretty much at the beginning and through a series of flashbacks, their life and relationship together is remembered. So there are certain things that are kind of set.
And then I would describe it as putting flesh on the bones. You know, how do you make that come alive? How do you make him kind of live and breathe and show the extra charm, or the extra humor, or the more sentimental parts. And that's what I would try and portray.
And with Richard, he allowed us to or allowed me to really be quite involved in terms of certain changes to in either tightening or just moving things around with Gerry's character. And I was amazed how much he trusted me and let me work with him on that. So that was pretty cool.
But I'm not going to be able to change things too much like I dont think Gerry should die in the first place.
(Cynthia):
Was it weird being called Gerry in the film?
Gerard Butler:
Yes.
(Cynthia):
I mean your name is Gerry. Didn't that seem weird when they called you that as your character too?
Gerard Butler:
Yes it did a little bit especially since his name was Gerry and he died of a brain tumor. It was sort of like, okay. And I think I was smoking about 45 a day at that point. I have since quit by the way. I quit shortly after the film.
And I think it was spurred on by appreciating how lucky I've been when guys like Gerry who you feel wasn't a smoker and wasn't a particularly unhealthy guy should be taken away so early that you think, well I should pay a little more attention to how I look out for myself. And so I stopped shortly after.
But it was kind of cool being called Gerry as well because it allowed me to give a little more of my own energy and personality and feel very free and natural with that. There was a lot of me in Gerry.
(Cynthia):
That is so cool. I can't believe I'm talking to you.
Gerard Butler:
Thanks, you too.
Coordinator:
Our next question comes from (Kim Brown). Your line is open.
(Kim Brown):
Hi Gerard.
Gerard Butler:
Hey.
(Kim Brown):
This is (Kim Brown). I'm the owner of GBUSA.
Gerard Butler:
How are you?
(Kim Brown):
I'm doing fine, thank you.
Gerard Butler:
Good.
(Kim Brown):
I wanted to ask you if there was anything that you may have learned in your role as Gerry Kennedy that you could share or with any of those who might be saying goodbye to a loved one. How to find life after their loved one is gone?
Gerard Butler:
All right. Say that again?
(Kim Brown):
Okay, is there anything that you could share with us that maybe you learned playing Gerry Kennedy
Gerard Butler:
Yes?
(Kim Brown):
that has to do with saying good bye to a loved one or how to find life after the loved one is gone?
Gerard Butler:
You know, in some ways the shoe is on the other foot when it comes to Gerry because it's the loved one who's been left who has to say goodbye to him.
So I dont really know. I mean I think - I kind of feel like I should give you something more profound and interesting than I'm about to but it's the end of a very long day and that's probably the most difficult question I've had.
(Kim Brown):
Sorry.
Gerard Butler:
No it's okay. But I kind of feel I am about to go out on a limb and say something and then go, it's too big a topic to sort of throw something out willy-nilly. But I always felt that was more a Hilary thing I think on how to. You know, he's already gone.
When he leaves, he's already written his letters. And there's not much can be changed in that respect. It's how she reacts to that. And how she says goodbye to him I think. So I don't know, I don't know. Maybe by the end of this phone conversation something else will come up.
(Kim Brown):
That's fine. I appreciate your answer, thanks.
Gerard Butler:
No problem.
Coordinator:
Our next question comes from (Ashley Kath-Bilsky). Your line is open.
(Ashley Kath-Bilsky):
Hi Gerry.
Gerard Butler:
Hi.
(Ashley Kath-Bilsky):
Hi. I have a question for you. First I wanted to commend your work on 300 and Shattered. I thought both were - you were great in both of them.
Gerard Butler:
Thank you.
(Ashley Kath-Bilsky):
My question is about comedy versus drama. And the character that you play seems -- in P.S. I love you -- seems more free spirited. He's funny. He's real carefree. As an actor which do you prefer or find more interesting to interpret somebody in drama or comedy?
Gerard Butler:
I think that they kind of both have their advantages. I mean when you watch a movie like 300, and you see all that come together. And there's something so methodical and profound about the struggle that you've dealt with, the power that you've commanded and you remember playing that. Or as you play it, the power that surrounds you, that is such a cool thing to experience.
And there's was times when I was doing that thinking, what a one in a million, what an opportunity to be standing up there and playing this person who once led and who achieved something so ominous and incredible and death defying. And to see that all come together that's pretty special.
But there's times as well you miss the more gentle, real human side of life which I had the chance to delve into in P.S. I love you. And to play with the comedy and to read lines where I'd literally read them and go, oh, God how lucky am I to be seeing this? How lucky am I to be doing this with Hilary Swank.
There's times that you can appreciate both. And then there's often times that you're doing one and you wish you were doing the other. You know, and you kind of miss maybe the grand scale of a 300. Or when you're doing the 300 you miss the intimacy of a P.S. I love you.
So it's hard to say. I've found that whenever I finished one, I really want to go and do the other.
(Ashley Kath-Bilsky):
Thank you.
Coordinator:
Our next question comes from (Linda Gonzalez). Your line is open.
(Linda Gonzalez):
Hello Gerry.
Gerard Butler:
Hey (Linda).
(Linda Gonzalez):
Hi. I want to thank you and Warner Brothers so much first of all for holding this press conference with us. We really appreciate it. And my question is, you have been quoted as saying that this was a chance for you to really come alive in a role and give a lot of yourself. And how you did something you could give some Gerry juice to.
What did you give to this role and what exactly is Gerry juice?
Gerard Butler:
Do me a favor, could you give me the start of that again? Because I've been hearing this a lot in the last two days. And I'm not denying. I know Gerry juice is a word I've used a lot as a joke. But I just don't remember when - I don't remember when I said it. And
(Linda Gonzalez):
Oh, I saw it on the Extra TV show the other day.
Gerard Butler:
Oh it was Extra, that show. But what was the start of the quote?
(Linda Gonzalez):
This was a chance for you to really come alive in a role and give a lot of yourself. And you needed something you could give some Gerry juice to.
Gerard Butler:
Okay. And well here's the thing. You guys know me. You know what I'm like. You know that I can be vivacious and silly and loud and like a big puppy dog basically. And you hadn't really seen that. Or I hadn't really seen me having a chance to do that for a long time in film.
When I go out with friends or whomever I'm out with, my agent or my manager and I get down to my joke telling sessions or just, you know, how they've come to know me, they're always like sitting there going, why don't you do a comedy? Or they can't believe, you know, you need to show this side of yourself. And one day somebody said the word "Gerry juice."
It's got to be, you know, - this is it. You need to get some of that Gerry juice. And it became a thing that we would always say. So we talk about a role and we go, I can give that some Gerry juice. Or, you know, this is a Gerry juice role. But I just always - I should be careful about throwing that word around in public. And I guess I did.
So when P.S. I love you came along, it was, you know, here was a guy that just had such a great outlook on life. Who was sharp, funny, witty, with a big heart. And you just had a chance to put a whole massive infusion of personality into it. And that's, you know, what I figured I could I bring to it. You know, the better more fun parts of myself, yes, the Gerry juice.
(Linda Gonzalez):
Okay thank you so much.
Gerard Butler:
Thank you.
Coordinator:
And our last and final question comes from (Dayna Linton). Your line is open.
(Dayna Linton):
Hi Gerry.
Gerard Butler:
Hey (Dayna).
(Dayna Linton):
How are you?
Gerard Butler:
Good, how are you doing?
(Dayna Linton):
You're actually feeling better? We hear you've had a chest infection.
Gerard Butler:
Yes, the chest infection. But you know what? I've been sick a couple of times since I last spoke to you guys. I got sick on the Guy Ritchie film and I missed four days of work, five days of work maybe. And that's the first time I've ever missed filming in 11 years, I've ever missed a day through illness.
But then I got another chest infection when I went to New Mexico. And I think basically too many climates, too many environments, too much working and I was a little rundown.
(Dayna Linton):
I hope you're feeling a lot better.
Gerard Butler:
Yes, much better.
(Dayna Linton):
Good because that's one of the questions we had. A lot, many people have asked that question. Okay, I'm going to switch gears a little bit if you don't mind. And basically the last phone call I asked you a question in February. And it was, if you could write a role for yourself to play, what would it be. And you answered, Robert Burns.
So what is it about the Scottish poet and songwriter, Robert Burns that makes him so compelling to you? And do you see yourself starring as Robert Burns any time soon?
Gerard Butler:
Right. Well, the first part of the question, I think that whenever anybody comes from any particular country, I'm sure they have a lot of national pride and a kind of connection and a pride with previous characters that have excelled from that country.
And, you know, we're not exactly known for our literary heroes. So Burns really stands out. And doesn't just seem to stand out but stands pretty much miles ahead and shoulders, many heads and shoulders above everybody else. And on top of that, I love when somebody can achieve so much but not be boring with it.
Still manage to eat up the rest of life and be an outrageous character, and be a brave character, and even embrace the dark side which he did. So I mean he just seemed to be so many things. A lover, a (unintelligible) and yet have such a soft sensitive heart and try so hard and @#%$ up so hard.
And, you know, he had a rich and interesting, and painful life. But he gave so much I feel. He was so incredibly talented. And I guess that was always going to shine through. So that makes me very proud that he was a Scott and that he was who he was.
So the chance to say something about him and to kind of bring that more to the public knowledge and tell a story that is such a great story and play such a fascinating character really appeals to me. And as usual, would be a role that I could take a little bit of criticism for because people will go, he's no Burns.
Burns is shorter than him. He's not talented enough to be Burns. And Michael Crawford should have been Burns. You know, or something like that.
(Dayna Linton):
(Unintelligible).
Gerard Butler:
I always like to set myself up for this. Tom Cruise should have been Burns. You know, suddenly that
(Dayna Linton):
Don't even go there.
Gerard Butler:
Burns was the same height as Tom Cruise. He was only three foot seven, sorry. But anyway, and the plan is hopefully to do it as some point next year. There's a lot going on at the moment.
The director's been busy. I've obviously been busy. And believe it or not even at this stage, Burns is still a hard movie to finance. It just is by the nature of it. He's not quite as -- even though the script is phenomenal -- but he and his writing no matter how delicious they are when you get a chance to know them, they're still not quite as accessible as many Scotts would like to believe they are. He was for them.
But it is a great story and it will be told. And hopefully it will happen next year.
(Dayna Linton):
Now do you think there's any possibility of having it released but in time for the 250th birthday celebration?
Gerard Butler:
Yes, I'm not sure that's going to happen. And there's been a lot of discussion about that. And that would be an awesome thing if it could be released in time for that. But to be honest, if Burns is going to make it as a movie, I think it 's too provincial an idea to think that it's going to happen just because it's released on its 250th anniversary.
And my view is it's also not having enough confidence in the movie itself. Despite wanting to tell his story, and despite, again, Scotts thinking that Burns is maybe the most famous person whoever lived. He's not.
This movie has to be able to survive as a story in itself. You know, whether it was happening at that time to me is a little too gimmicky. I think that it should be a great film and a great story in itself and irrelevant if it's released on that. It would be nice if it could be but it definitely shouldn't be made for those reasons, or made earlier, made when, you know, when the money's there.
Coordinator:
And this does conclude today's conference call. We want to thank you all for participating.
Gerard Butler:
Thank you everybody. Take care. I can't hear anybody. So I'll just, you know, say goodbye. Bye-bye.
END
