First Look at Gerard Butler in MACHINE GUN PREACHER

Here's our first look at Gerard Butler as Sam Childers in the film called Machine Gun Preacher. The film is based on the true story of Chiders, a drug-dealing hardcore biker who got himself into a lot of trouble throughout his life. The man eventually found God and completely turned his life around. He became a crusader for hundreds of Sudanese children who had been kidnapped and forced into becoming soldiers. The film is being directed by Marc Forster. 

Butler discussed playing Childers in an interview with USA Today and here's what he had to say about how this character is different from some of the other characters he's played over the years, 

Those other roles were based on historic characters who became the stuff of legend, but Sam is a guy of our times. There is more complexity in a modern-day character who's a drug addict and a biker turned businessman, missionary and soldier. You don't get roles like this very often.

Butler then went on to discuss his research on Childers saying,

When I walked into Sam’s house, he had been so built up by everyone, I didn’t know what to expect. I met this absolutely dominant alpha male who on one hand loves the attention but on the other hand loves the company of his family and friends. This is his story and this is his moment to tell it to the world. I had to bow down to that. But there is a darkness in him as well. He could not go through all the things that are in the movie by being Mr. Nice Guy.