Jan 25 2009
Gerard Butler to Star in Robert Burns Biopic
This sounds like wonderful news for Gerard Butler fans. The Scottish actor is set to play famed poet and lyricist Robert Burns, considered the national poet of Scotland and preserver of Scottish heritage. Robert Burns collected Scottish folk songs and often rewrote or expanded upon them, his most famous adaptation being “Auld Lang Syne”.
The Times UK reports that like the famous Kilmarnock Edition of Burns’ poetry, individual investors are committing money to back this small film entitled Burns. Robert Burns’ life was filled with ups and downs and changes of occupation to keep him afloat while he wrote and composed, so it should be interesting to see how much the film can cover. The movie will focus on two of the important love affairs in his life: his wife Jean Armour, as well as Agnes McLehose, a society lady with whom he exchanged passionate love letters under the pseudonyms “Sylvander” and “Clarinda”. Apparently Burns had quite a number of affairs, many of them at the same time.
It will definitely be appealing to see Gerard Butler in a Scottish film, as a poet, songwriter, romantic, and lover. The film will be shot in Scotland this year, in Edinburgh and Burns’ hometown Ayrshire. Another good sign is that the script is being penned by Alan Sharp, author of the rousing Liam Neeson epic Rob Roy. Financing finally seems secure for a film that has been bounced around for nearly a decade, with Ewan McGregor and Johnny Depp both viewed as early options for the Robert Burns role.
Gerard Butler’s modest numbers at the box office weren’t enough to convince investors of this small film’s potential until the movie 300s smashing success. So it was that a magnificent Spartan warrior paved the way for an 18th century Scottish poet.
Read the Times UK article here .
Gerard Butler screencaps
Dear Frankie, c2004 Pathé Pictures International, Miramax Films.
300, c2006 Warner Bros. Pictures.
The new news of it is that it’s actually going to start filming this year! I said above that it’s been bandied about for a decade, but they could never get the money for it. They finally have enough cash to get moving on it. Because of the success of 300, they actually feared Gerard might be too big for it and would walk away, but he still wants to be involved. So, that’s the new news.