NY Post - The Butler Did It

How Butler did it


From Spartan to sap in three years



By REED TUCKER

Last Updated: 8:15 AM, October 11, 2009

Posted: 2:35 AM, October 11, 2009
Gerard Butler’s agent may be terrible, but his publicist must be a genius. Most of the actor’s movies haven’t been particularly good, but those magazine covers? Wow! Rarely before has a movie star felt so rammed down America’s throat.
His latest is Friday’s vigilante thriller “Law Abiding Citizen.” And to support it, Butler will no doubt be making the talk-show rounds, appearing in magazines, having profiles written about him and generally being treated like the new Brad Pitt. Anyone else feel like this guy sneaked into the Giant Movie Star Club through the back door disguised as a waiter?

A few years ago, he was playing the monster in the forgettable “Dracula 2000,” and now he’s above-the-title talent. How did this happen? We’re not sure either, but let’s take a look at his star power rating.

■ In 2001, the Scot was being considered to take over the role of James Bond. (Add 10 star power points.) The producers decided to give it to someone else — a blond guy, no less. (Subtract 30 star power points.)

■ 2006’s “300” pulled in a massive $70.9 in its opening weekend. (Add 50 star power points.) Most people were just there for the green-screen effects. (Subtract 15 star power points.)

■ The hunky actor became a go-to guy for action roles, like the excellent “RocknRolla.” (Add 10 star power points.) The only person the muscled star actually beat up was his “P.S. I Love You” co-star Hilary Swank, giving her a cut that required stitches when he accidentally smacked her with his suspenders. (Subtract 35 star power points.)

■ With his higher profile, Butler began to nab tabloid headlines with links to Hollywood starlets. (Add 25 star power points.) The Hollywood starlet was Jennifer Aniston. (Subtract 45 star power points.)

■ The overexposed hunk has already pumped out two movies this year, “The Ugly Truth” and “Gamer,” earning a middling Rotten Tomatoes score of 44. (Add 5 star power points.) That’s a collective score. (Subtract 10 star power points.)

Conclusion: With a total score of — wait, who were we talking about again?

Yikes!

Meow, Mr. Tucker.

Mr. Tucker seems to have a permanent wedgie stuck up his bum.

Should we help him or let him wriggle in pain.

I don't think he's in pain.