“She had to get taken to the hospital, I almost took her eye out”: Gerard Butler Was Scared For Co-Star Hilary Swank’s Life After a Deadly Accident on ‘P.S. I Love You’ Set
P.S. I Love You, the 2007 romance film, was a heartwarming and emotional journey for audiences who fell in love with the story of a widow who learns of 10 messages her late husband left her after his death to help her move on. The film starred Hilary Swank and Gerard Butler, and it was a huge hit among audiences.
However, most people don’t know that behind the scenes, a major accident occurred, which could have ended tragically for one of the film’s lead actors.
Gerard Butler recently opened up about the incident while appearing on The Drew Barrymore Show, and it’s a story that will leave you in shock and disbelief.
“I Almost Killed Hilary Swank”
Gerard Butler and Hilary Swank
The film was supposed to be a romantic and emotional experience for the cast and crew, but it was almost cut short when Butler accidentally injured his co-star, Hilary Swank, during a scene.
While Butler was dancing in boxer shorts and suspenders, the suspender clip that was supposed to hit him in the face ended up hitting Swank in the head.
“It gets stuck, it releases [and] flies over my head, hits her in the head — slashes her head, I cut her open. You could even see the teeth [of the clip]. She had to get taken to the hospital.”
Gerard Butler on The Drew Barrymore Show
The accident happened so quickly that before Butler knew it, the entire studio had cleared out, and he was left alone in his boxer shorts, boots, and socks, feeling overwhelmed with guilt and shame.
“Imagine this studio, and in three seconds, everybody’s gone. And I’m just sitting there in my Irish [shamrock] boxer shorts and my boots and a pair of socks, and I just started crying. I scarred Hilary Swank. I almost took her eye out, and I just made a fool of myself for two days,”
The experience was traumatic for Butler, and it was a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of safety on set. He was shaken to his core, and it took him a long time to come to terms with what had happened.
“That was the last time that happened,” he said, emphasizing the importance of safety and awareness on set, especially regarding stunts and action scenes.
P.S. I Love You – A Story of Love and Loss
P.S. I Love You
P.S. I Love You, directed by Richard LaGravenese and based on the 2004 novel of the same name by Cecelia Ahern, tells the story of a widow who learns of 10 messages that her late husband left her after his death to help her move on.
The film starred Swank as the lead, alongside Butler, Lisa Kudrow, Gina Gershon, James Marsters, Harry Connick Jr., and Jeffrey Dean Morgan.
Despite the on-set incident, the movie became a box-office success, grossing over $156 million worldwide. The film received mixed reviews from critics, but it was praised for its performances and portrayal of love and loss.
Swank also received a Golden Camera Award, Best International Actress, and an Irish Film and Television Award for her role in the film.
In retrospect, it’s clear that the incident on set, although unfortunate, did not derail the film’s success. It serves as a reminder of the hard work and dedication that goes into making a movie and the risks actors take to bring their characters to life on the big screen.
