Burns in pre-production

Burns is no showing up on Gerry's IMDB page as in pre-production.

DK - do you have IMDB pro? There might be more info there.

Here's the link to the Burns IMDB page:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1531637/

Nothing yet, but I'll have to keep an eye on it. It only says the status was updated 16 Oct 09.

I have no ides what this means for the production. This article contradicts IMDB and says that Gerry has pulled out of the film. I don't know which source is incorrect.

http://deadlinescotland.wordpress.com/2009/11/01/hollywood-hunk-gerry-butler-to-return-to-scotland-2074/

Hollywood hunk Gerry Butler to return to Scotland

By Cara Sulieman
SCOTTISH hunk Gerard Butler is returning to his roots for the European premiere of his new film, Law Abiding Citizen.
He has said it will be a “thank you” to his hometown for the support he has received during his career.
But it has also been revealed that the heart-throb has turned away from a film about Rabbie Burns, sparking fears that the movie will be axed completely.
Butler revealed the Glasgow premiere in a recent online chat with fans.


“Get merry”
He wrote: “Maybe I will see some of you at the premiere of Law Abiding Citizen because we are having out European premiere in Glasgow.
“Get merry and drink. I wish I could but I don’t. I hope to see you all soon. Have a good time.”
And a spokesman for Momentum Pictures confirmed the plans.
He said: “It hasn’t been announced officially yet but the premiere will be on November 15 at Cineworld, Renfrew Street.
“It will be something different having him in his home town.”
But the news comes in the same week that it is revealed the Hollywood star has snubbed a film about Robert Burns that was due to be made this year.

“Huge blow”
And there are now worries that it won’t go ahead at all due to the big name lead dropping out.
A source close to the movie said: “Gerry was up for playing the part a couple of years back – but it’s not on his radar now.
“He has much bigger projects in the pipeline and has pulled out. It’s a huge blow. To be honest, there’s little chance of it being made at all without Butler involved. He was the key.”
A spokesman from Scottish Screen confirmed that the film, which was due to be co-produced by London-based Mob Films, had been postponed.
They added: “Burns will not be made this year. We haven’t heard from the production company for a while and there is no chance of Gerard Butler now becoming involved.”
It’s a blow for the Scottish film industry, which has had a number of high-profile films cancelled thanks to the credit crunch.

“Warmth”
Mary Queen of Scots – due to star Scarlett Johansson – was also given the chop earlier this year due to financial restrictions.
Butler is returning to his roots with the premiere and reminisced about his childhood days when he was chatting with fans.
He said: “I came from a family of larger-than-life characters who were a joy to be around.
“They were a lot of jokers and storytellers, a lot on warmth. But it was tough as well. There could be a serious amount of confrontation.
“My father was probably the craziest and most fun and outlandish of the lot.”
The heartthrob grew up in Paisley and was raised by his mum Margaret – not seeing his dad between the ages of two and 16.

According to gerardbutler.net, the info about him backing out of Burns is incorrect. But we shall see.

Personally, I think he's too old to play Burns at this point. If Gerry isn't interested, they should probably consider casting a younger actor. I think James McAvoy would be a better choice. He has that babyface thing going on, and he's 10 years younger than Gerry.

I agree, DK. He's too old and he can find something else.

If this whole thing is true, I'm disappointed that Gerry will not be playing Burns, but I agree that James McAvoy would be a good choice. He's more of Burns stature, age, etc.

I guess he IS getting too old, but it's a shame because from everything I've heard about Robert Burns, Gerry IS him.

Didn't 50ish Mel Gibson play a teen-20ish William Wallace?

Good point, LJ. And Mel Gibson also played Hamlet past the age he should have. Plus, Glenn Close played his mother (who's not old enough to be his mom).

And Angelina Jolie played Colin Farrell's mom in Alexander, and there's obviously only a couple years difference in their ages.

Plus, Anne Bancroft was only 6 years older than Dustin Hoffman, but she played someone who was supposed to be the same age as his parents in The Graduate.

Yet another one: Drew Barrymore was supposed to be 15 in some of Riding In Cars With Boys.

Also, they managed to make Gerry look about early to mid 20s (just barely) for P.S. I Love You flashbacks.

Hollywood has a way of getting away with age inconsistencies like that. And I'm sure Burns has to age in the film anyway.