Gerard Butler's irresistible smile and hypnotizing blue eyes can almost convince anyone that he really is capable of saving the world, the way the Scottish actor often does in the movies ("Olympus Has Fallen"; "London Has Fallen") and that's precisely what he does in his latest film, "Hunter Killer," which will hit theaters on October 25.
On the occasion of the Israeli premiere of the film, Butler, 48, has arrived in Israel to attend the glamorous event. This is quite unusual, as Hollywood actors seldom attend premieres in Israel, but the film's Israeli producer, Avi Lerner, may have had a hand in convincing the Hollywood star to come this time.
"It is very challenging to bring an artist of this caliber to Israel," Lerner said. "He only came because I'm Israeli. I asked him to come. This is our sixth movie together, and I'm very pleased that he came."
In the film, which Butler also co-produced, Joe Glass, played by Butler, is the captain of an American submarine on a rescue mission. On the way to rescue a submarine in distress, Glass and his crew come across a Russian coup and must rescue the kidnapped Russian president from rebels who are threatening the world order. The film takes place almost entirely in the submarine.
When asked about the political undertones of the film, which are particularly relevant in the current climate, he says, "I am interested in politics, but I didn't come to Israel to talk about politics."
"It's not a political film, it's an action film," he says.
Butler noted that he was not pressured to avoid visiting Israel by anti-Israel group such as the BDS movement, which often accosts international figures who express wishes to visit or perform in Israel.
"I was never told not to come here," he says. "I'm trying to break a record with the number of times I visit you here. I have friends here and I love this country – the people, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem. I love getting on a motorcycle and just going. I always have a good time here and I'm always sad to leave. One day, I may decide to just stay."
