Gerard Butler is a definite thrill seeker but on set of his new film Chasing Mavericks he got more than he bargained for.
In the film Gerard plays a surf instructor inspired by Frosty Hesson. He, himself was new to the sport and one day during filming, a giant wave caught him.
“I just remember those guys screaming at me because we saw these waves coming in. This huge wave, like a tsunami and they’re shouting paddle, paddle, paddle!”
The 42-year-old looks back on that day saying “I will just never forget looking up and seeing this mountain of water and just thinking ‘Here we go. Why am I here? Why did I do this.”
The actor spent a night in hospital and he knows he is lucky to be alive — the ambulance drivers who picked him up told him so!
Gerard tells us he gave his family and friends quite a scare! “They were a little freaked but then again they’re used to me getting into all sorts of trouble.”
He does admit his near death experience gave him some perspective saying “I was very appreciative to be given another chance because I did think it was over for me.”
There were stunt doubles on set of Chasing Mavericks but Gerard tells us: “It’s very hard for me to watch a stunt guy do what I want to do because I’m always like ‘No! I can do that!’ I’ll use one in my next movie,” he smiles.
One of his next movies is the romantic comedy Playing for Keeps with newly-wed Jessica Biel. And he tells us he couldn’t be happier for his co-star’s marriage to Justin Timberlake. “I’m totally overjoyed for her. She’s amazing…I know Justin. Yeah, they’re a good match. Damn them! They’re a good match!”
You can catch Gerard in Chasing Mavericks October 26th and watch him talk about his harrowing experience in the video below!
