Gerard Butler: 'Getting this body in shape is a pain'

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Gerard Butler: 'Getting this body in shape is a pain'

Gerard Butler stops for an interview at TIFF on Friday, Sept. 9, 2011. (Constance Droganes for CTV News)

Gerard Butler will always be remembered for his stunning abs in the action flick "300," but the 41-year-old actor wanted to show his heart in his new movie, "Machine Gun Preacher."

Based on a true story, Butler portrays Sam Childers, a former drug-dealing criminal who travels to East Africa and saves orphaned and kidnapped children.

"I used muscles of a different kind for this part," Butler told reporters on the red carpet of the TORO After Dark party during the Toronto International Film Festival.

Shooting this film held an extra bonus.

"No dieting," Butler said, with a laugh. "Getting this body in shape is a pain, man."

Oscar-winning director Paul Haggis, 58, joined Butler at this late-night bash in support of the international charitable organization, Artists for Peace and Justice.

The non-profit organization was founded by Haggis to help address peace, poverty and social justice around the world, particularly in Haiti. To date, APJ has helped Haiti's impovershed children with money and medical supplies. In 2010 APJ also launched the Academy of Peace and Justice, the first free middle and secondary school in Port-au-Prince.

"Haiti's kids are so poor. They deserve a good education and a good future, just like any child. But there's so much more that needs to be done," Haggis told reporters.