Shot Twice

Actor Gerard Butler shocked reporters admitting he was shot twice in the head while filming the newly released film "Machine Gun Preacher" on location in South Africa. Butler, at the premiere of the new movie this weekend, described the incident as a "bloody dilemma". Butler, 41, says he did his own stunts. One day, while filming, the actor’s head was hit twice in quick succession by shells. "A shell hit me, slit my head, it was pouring with blood," Gerard told The Daily Star. "About 20 minutes later, we went again and another shell hit me. Within half an inch of the first one. It was a shell, but it sounds better to get shot," he said. Reports say both shells were shot from co-star Souleymane Sy Savane's gun. Butler also said he ripped a tendon in his leg while filming the same scene and has scars down his back from other injuries. "I couldn't walk for two weeks once. I have so many tendons that I have hurt," he said. Film crews witnessing the incidents during the scene say "it was pretty intense". Butler, now healed, says he felt as though his chances of dying on the set "were slim". "Listen, you do a movie like this and you get into a few accidents," Gerard told reporters.

Machine Gun Preacher Premiere

Gerard Butler and Michelle Monaghan attended the “Machine Gun Preacher” Los Angeles premiere at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences on Wednesday (September 21) in Beverly Hills. Gerard Butler said he was "blown away" working with Michelle Monaghan. He was impressed by his co-star's beauty and down-to-earth attitude. He said: "Michelle is incredibly cool and incredibly fun. She is one of those girls who is as comfortable with the electricians, the key grip, the cameraman, anybody in the crew, catering as she is with her makeup crew or me or the director. "We all get the same treatment, and fun and smart and self deprecating and then surprisingly irreverent. So, I was really blown away to get a girl who has that beauty and yet has so much more to give in terms of personality."

The previous night he appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno filmed at NBC Studios on Tuesday (September 20) in Burbank, Calif. to promote his new movie. After his interview with Jay, the next guest Whitney Cummings came out and joked she got pregnant just sitting near Gerry!

Toronto International Film Festival

Gerard Butler was spotted arriving at Toronto Pearson International Airport in Toronto, Canada on Thursday (September 8). He was in town to premiere his film Machine Gun Preacher at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival. On September 9th, he attended the Artists For Peace And Justice cocktail event Painting The Night Red. Artists for Peace and Justice is a non-profit organization supporting communities in Haiti through programs in education, health and dignity. He was dressed in Dolce&Gabbana, and was joined at the event by Jason Reitman, director Paul Haggis, and APJ board member David Belle. On September 10th, Gerard Butler hit the red carpet at the Creative Coalition’s 2011 Spotlight Initiative Awards held at the Roosevelt Room during the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival. He was joined on the carpet by his Machine Gun Preacher co-star Michelle Monaghan, who was honored with an award during the evening. That evening, Gerard also checked out the premiere of the film Rampart during the festival. Gerard recently spoke with the Los Angeles Times and teared up while discussing the film. "This happened to me a lot when we were filming. I would just be overcome. I feel every emotion. I haven’t talked much about this movie in a while, and I did the other day, and I just started crying. I cried for about five minutes," he explained. "I think it was a great responsibility for Gerry to play the role of a guy who is alive, a guy who is as dynamic as Sam with a story that’s so incredible,” Jason told the LAT. “During the sessions, and even when we were filming, I saw him going deeper and deeper [into the role]. It was an incredible burden [for him]."

On September 11th, Gerard Butler and his Coriolanus co-star Jessica Chastain attend the Killer Joe party at the Toronto International Film Festival at vitaminwater Rooftop in Toronto, Canada. The two actors attended the CAA - and vitaminwater-sponsored bash, which celebrated Emile Hirsch‘s new comedy-drama. The next day, Gerard and Jessica promoted Coriolanus at a press conference during the film festival. The two were joined by co-star Ralph Fiennes and Brian Cox.

‘Machine Gun Preacher’ Advance Reviews

Gerard Butler’s new movie "Machine Gun Preacher" is already off to a flying start. The movie was screened in January and viewers are saying that they were very impressed with his acting and the movie as a whole.
Good luck!

Losing Weight

Gerard Butler put on 30 pounds by eating six meals a day for his role in Machine Gun Preacher.
To prepare for his new role playing 18th-century poet Robert Burns, Gerard is frantically trying to slim down and shed the excess weight.

"He stopped eating pastas and sweets, and is working out," says a close friend. "In two weeks, he’s dropped 15 pounds!"

"I have been hitting the gym every day, and I try to train. I dieted and just looked after myself for a change. Normally, I beat myself up during movies, and then I spend a few months recovering. I am in the recovering process, and I am being nice to myself," said Gerry.

Farewell SA

Gerard Butler will say goodbye to South Africa this weekend (10/9). The actor has been filming scenes for the movie Machine Gun Preacher for the past few weeks. The film is due to be released next September.

Partying in Johannesburg

Gerard Butler was spotted clubbing on Saturday night (9/25) at upmarket nightclub Latinova, in Rosebank, Johannesburg, where he is working on his latest film, Machine Gun Preacher, based on the life of Sam Childers.

Wearing blue jeans and a light blue top, Butler "smiled and chatted to everyone". A witness said: "When we asked for pictures he said he didn't want to do that because he would have to say 'yes' to everyone . He said he wanted to have fun."

Karaoke Night at Detroit 2

Gerard Butler got on stage again at Cheli's Chili Bar in Dearborn during the wrap party for "Machine Gun Preacher" (7/31). Butler sang Oasis ' "Wonderwall" while people cheered him.

With a Friend on the Set

Gerard Butler and a female friend head to the set of his new movie, Machine Gun Preacher, on Monday (July 26) in Detroit, Mich. She was spotted leaving his trailer on July 27th.

Gerry filmed scenes at the Bridge Cafe (130 South Fort Street).

Machine Gun Preacher Update

Gerard Butler is currently in Westland, MI, where his latest movie Machine Gun Preacher is being filmed.
He portrays Sam Childers, a former drug-dealing biker tough guy who found God and became a crusader for hundreds of Sudanese children who have been forced to become soldiers.

Machine Gun Preacher

Gerard Butler will start filming his next project, Machine Gun Preacher, in the city from July 8 to 28.
Locations will include a trailer park in town and Jake’s Crossroads Bar, 2704 Oakwood Blvd.
The movie is based on the true story of Sam Childers, a former drug-dealing biker who found God and became a crusader for hundreds of Sudanese children who were forced to become soldiers.

Machine Gun Preacher

Casting for actors is currently taking place in Los Angeles, New York, Detroit, and Johannesburg, South Africa for the Lionsgate feature film Machine Gun Preacher.
Gerard Butler has signed on to play the reformed bad guy Sam Childers, a drug-dealing biker who found God and became the scourge of rebel forces who kidnap children in Sudan and Northern Uganda. Michelle Monaghan has signed on to play Childers' wife, Lynn.
Marc Forster will direct the film and his company, Apparatus Productions, will co-produce with Lionsgate. Forster has directed such films as Monster's Ball, Finding Neverland, and Quantum of Solace.
Shooting will take place in Michigan and South Africa, starting mid-July, 2010.
Full details on auditions and casting calls for this film can be found on the following blog post:

Machine Gun Preacher Auditions

Machine Gun Preacher

Gerard Butler has teamed with director Marc Forster to tell the story of Sam Childers, a former drug-dealing biker tough guy who found God and became a crusader for hundreds of Sudanese children who've been kidnapped and pressed into duty as soldiers. Read more.
I am ready for a 300/Quantum of Solace mix. Are you?

Rumors: Machine Gun Preacher

Rumor has it that Gerard Butler will star in a movie called "Machine Gun Preacher" about the life of real life minister, biker and soldier Sam Childers.

Sam Childers (born 1962) is a former gang biker who now dedicates his life and resources to rescue children in the war zone of Sudan. Childers and his wife Lynn founded and operate Angels of East Africa, the Children’s Village Orphanage in Nimule, Sudan, where they currently have more than 300 children in their care.

I hope the story is told in an intriguing way and the movie brings Gerry a lot of success.