When Gerard Butler was just getting his start in Hollywood movies, he worked alongside two A-list actors who helped him hone his craft. Beginning his career playing smaller parts in action films, Butler eventually blossomed into a leading man himself, and continues to be a box office sensation several decades later. Typically playing rough-and-tumble action heroes, Butler has led several smash hits, including 300 and the Has Fallen films. He’s also an accomplished voice actor, lending his skills to the beloved How to Train Your Dragon movies, and he even reprised his role in the live-action remake.

In an interview with Collider, Butler spoke about working on Reign of Fire, which allowed him to learn some valuable lessons from co-stars Christian Bale and Matthew McConaughey. Butler was still an unknown quanтιтy in Hollywood when he appeared in the 2002 action fantasy film, and was somewhat surprised by the lengths that Bale and McConaughey went to in order to embody the characters. “Matthew McConaughey was always in a trance to get into that character,” said Butler before explaining “that’s the first time that I realized, ‘Oh, I guess if you’re playing leads…you gotta put some effort into this.’“

“And then trying to make it where it can be dark and gritty and edgy and not fluffy and light. I thought they did a great job with that movie. I loved working on it. Christian Bale was so in it, and it was kind of a dark movie. For me, I was just starting out, at least in Hollywood, so I had a great time doing it. I’ll just never forget Matthew McConaughey was always in a trance to get into that character. He always stood with his arms out. I think that’s the first time that I realized, ‘Oh, I guess if you’re playing leads, and you’re playing a crazy character, you gotta put some effort into this,’ because he was like [snarls] the whole time. I was like, ‘Damn!’ He was great, by the way. Great.”

Butler also marveled at the methods of co-star Christian Bale, who was not afraid to get physical when the script demanded. As the How to Train Your Dragon star explained, it taught him that there were certain levels of dedication required to be an accomplished actor. However, Butler also admitted that each actor has their own method for getting into character.

“They came, they brought it. They were incredibly dedicated. Even watching them doing the fight scenes every time, bang, Christian would run down and dive and roll. I’m like, ‘Oh my God, this is nuts.’ The first time, and then you watch them do it 20 times, and you go, ‘Okay, so if my career does take off, I guess I am looking forward to a lot of chiropractor appointments.’ I learned a lot from them. But still, we’re all unique, and I also understood there’s certain places I’d like to take, to head off and almost be in different directions than both of them.”

Gerard Butler Learned The Right Lessons From His Reign Of Fire Co-Stars

It Showed That He Had What It Took To Be A Star In Hollywood

Though Reign of Fire was something of a notorious flop that bombed at the box office and with critics, it was a landmark moment. Gerard Butler has gone on to have an accomplished career, and he’s one of the rare actors who is both respected as an action star and as a legitimate thespian. Butler turns in stunning performances while also delivering convincing action, and that’s likely due to the lessons he learned from Matthew McConaughey and Christian Bale. Both actors are known for their extensive character work, and some of that rubbed off on Butler.

Our Take On Gerard Butler’s Comments About Reign Of Fire

Gerard Butler Is A Savvy Student Of Acting

Gerard Butler’s comments about Bale and McConaughey aren’t surprising, but I think it reveals a lot about Butler as a performer. He was clearly somewhat intimidated by the methods of the two award-winners, but instead of mimicking their methods, he found his own. Gerard Butler has yet to reach the critical heights of his two Reign of Fire co-stars, but he is a strong actor who has starred in excellent action films. He’s also obviously an intelligent student of the art of acting, because he found what worked best for him instead of copying Bale and McConaughey.

Source: Collider