Gerard Butler recently opened up about the intense challenges of filming Zack Snyder’s legendary epic 300, offering a glimpse into the physically demanding and, at times, dangerous conditions on set. "I remember every day somebody was getting taken to the hospital," Butler revealed. "A guy down there, a spear went in his eye. Another time — a guy over there just fell, broke his ankle."
The 2006 film, which catapulted Butler to global fame as King Leonidas, is celebrated for its hyper-stylized battles and powerful imagery. Behind the scenes, however, the cast and crew endured grueling training and constant risks, where shields, spears, and swords — essential to the film’s aesthetic — frequently led to accidents.
While Butler didn't detail his own injuries from 300, he reflected on another harrowing experience during the filming of Chasing Mavericks (2012). The actor described being overwhelmed by massive waves while learning to surf for the movie. "I thought I was done. They had to take me out, take me to hospital, put me out, give me the defibrillator. I mean, it was intense," he said.
Mishaps With Brosnan and Jolie
Butler’s history of on-set accidents extends beyond 300. While filming Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life (2003), he nearly shot Angelina Jolie by accident. "I had to fire a gun while hanging upside down, but I had no control over where it went," he explained. "I was just firing and I just missed her face." Another incident occurred during the filming of a car chase scene with Pierce Brosnan for The November Man.
"I've been in car smashes with James Bond himself," Butler revealed. "He drove me straight into a wall. And this thing was supposed to stop as he was supposed to slam the brakes. We hit a wall on a rooftop, 3-foot-high wall, full speed, in a Range Rover. It destroyed my neck, and it was after 300. I was already so beaten up in 300."
Butler also shared stories of mishaps with costars Hilary Swank in P.S. I Love You (2007). "I've scarred Hilary Swank on the head ... she has a scar," Butler admitted. In one incident on the set of P.S. I Love You, a camera rig collapsed, narrowly avoiding serious harm but adding to Butler’s track record of eventful shoots.
Despite the numerous injuries, near-misses, and hospital visits he has endured throughout his career, Gerard Butler’s passion for his work remains unwavering. Reflecting on the physical toll of his roles, he summed up his experience with characteristic enthusiasm: "It’s awesome. I wouldn’t change it for the world."
