People News

Gerard Butler the new Scottish blue-chip stock

By Stone Martindale May 18, 2007, 15:51 GMT

Gerard Butler - © Scott Alan / Photorazzi

Gerard Butler, the star of "300" who wore lttle more than a loin cloth and a rippling set of six-pack abs, has become this generation's Sean Connery, and out paced the demand for Ewan McGregor in film projects.

Butler has already been announced by Variety to be cast in "Escape from New York" remake, as well as the announced thriller "Game," now Butler has signed on for two more projects which were just announced in Variety.

He is also cast along with Jodie Foster and Abigail Breslin in the Fox Walden Media adventure "Nim's Island," set for release next April.           

Breslin's character along with her father, to be played by Butler, is a scientist whose boat runs into trouble, leaving the girl to figure a way out, and makes contact via email to Foster for help.

Production Weekly lists Jennifer Flackett and Mark Levin as directors, and the production is set to begin shooting in July in Australia from their adapted screenplay.

Butler then has another project, the leading role in Brian DePalma's "Untouchables" prequel "Capone Rising" for Paramount.

- sources: Prod. Weekly & Variety