Gerard Butler and Angelina Jolie, known for their thrilling on-screen performances, recently revisited a heart-stopping incident from their time filming Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life back in 2003. The experience could have turned devastating, highlighting the risks inherent to high-octane action cinema.
During filming, there was one scene where Butler, portraying the mercenary Terry Sheridan, was required to shoot from a precarious position suspended upside down. The situation took a dangerous turn when the actor, recalling the moment, said, "I almost shot Angelina Jolie in the face. I was coming down, hanging upside down; I had to fire a gun but I had no control over where this thing went, so I was just firing and I just missed her. I mean, it is insane." This vivid recollection both shocks and entertains, as it serves as a reminder of the high stakes involved when filming action scenes.
The movie's plot revolves around Lara Croft, played by Jolie, on her quest to recover Pandora's Box from the villainous bioterrorist Jonathan Reiss. Butler's character, Sheridan, supports Croft throughout the globe-trotting adventure filled with perilous stunts and exuberant chase sequences. Despite the high intensity of the film's action, it failed to resonate with audiences and critics alike.
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life grossed approximately $160 million on its $95 million budget, leading many to label it as commercially disappointing. Critics were particularly harsh, assigning it only a 24% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with even lower audience ratings at 44%. The letdown was significant, especially considering the film's star power and the legacy of its predecessor, which had set high expectations for the sequel.
The juxtaposition of Butler's near disaster with the film's overall failure invites contemplation about the intricacies of action filmmaking. The industry has seen significant improvements over the years, particularly concerning safety regulations and procedures on set. Butler's near miss, where even blank-firing weapons can be dangerous, serves as a candid reminder of the responsibilities films bears when orchestrated chaos is depicted.
Reflecting on his career, Butler noted this incident emerges as one of various close calls throughout his extensive action filmography, which has included high-rated films like 300, Law Abiding Citizen, and the Has Fallen franchise. His conversation with co-stars often leads to discussions about their shared experiences of risky prop use or stunt coordination gone awry.
While the Tomb Raider franchise attempts to reinvent itself, development of new projects can sometimes reflect old hurdles. The sequel to the most recent Tomb Raider, released with Alicia Vikander at the forefront, was delayed indefinitely when MGM lost the rights, marking yet another plateau for the series. Nonetheless, the franchise still maintains cultural resonance with audiences globally, even participating in the resurgence of video-game adaptations on platforms like streaming services.
Butler’s sharing of this incident also highlights the broader conversation about action stars, responsibility, and safety. The catastrophic movies can have both thrilling excitement and apparent risks lurking just offscreen. The narrative of action stars may glamorize their stunt work, but the truth is, on-set hazards remain plentiful.
To bring this home, Butler’s mention of this incident provides not only entertainment but also delivers important lessons on safety amid the thrill of filming action scenes. With upcoming projects such as the upcoming Tomb Raider TV series featuring Sophie Turner, there is hope for both compelling storytelling and enhanced safety practices to prevent accidents similar to those Butler experienced.