Gerard Butler’s On-Set Mishap Fears With Morgan Freeman Revealed

Morgan Freeman’s legendary status in Hollywood means he’s shared the screen with countless actors over the years. Known for his powerful performances and commanding presence, Freeman has inspired generations of performers. While he first gained recognition for his dramatic roles, he’s also no stranger to high-octane thrillers. One of his more unexpected turns came in the 2013 action hit Olympus Has Fallen, where he played Speaker of the House Allan Trumball.

Unexpected Franchise Success

Olympus Has Fallen wasn’t the only film in 2013 to feature a “Die Hard in the White House” storyline. White House Down, directed by Roland Emmerich, hit theaters just months later. Despite having a smaller budget and less star power, Olympus Has Fallen surprised everyone by becoming a box office success and launching its own franchise. By the third installment, Angel Has Fallen, Freeman’s character had become president, with Gerard Butler’s Mike Banning returning as his head of security.

On-Set Tension and Butler’s Worries

The third film kicks off with a dramatic drone attack during a fishing trip, forcing Banning and Trumball to dive into a lake for cover. The sequence is intense on screen, but behind the scenes, Butler admitted to feeling anxious about Freeman’s safety.

“He dives off a boat, then I have to push him underwater, and we run in and out of cars,” Butler said. “I was going, ‘please, don’t kill Morgan’. I almost killed Hilary Swank on PS I Love You. I’m very capable of killing other actors; not deliberately, just because I’m an idiot.”

Butler recalled a previous incident on the set of PS I Love You, where a mishap nearly put co-star Hilary Swank in harm’s way. Fortunately, neither accident had lasting consequences, and Angel Has Fallen managed to perform respectably at the box office, even with a smaller budget and less marketing than its predecessors.

Freeman’s Impact on the Series

Freeman’s portrayal of Trumball has been a key factor in the franchise’s ongoing appeal. While the Has Fallen movies follow familiar action formulas, the sincerity and gravitas of the performances set them apart. Freeman, who’s played authoritative figures in films like Lean on Me and Invictus, brings a sense of integrity to the role of president, making him a natural fit for the part.

Although a spinoff, Paris Has Fallen, has already been released internationally, updates on a fourth main installment have been scarce. If Butler returns as Banning, it ’s hard to imagine the series moving forward without Freeman by his side.