The accident happened at Maverick’s, the infamous Northern California surf spot south of San Francisco.

According to the report, Butler was filming “Of Men and Mavericks,” a movie about big-wave surfing legend Jay Moriarity, when the Scot wiped out and was held underwater for two consecutive waves, before being hit on the head by four or five more.

Eventually the 42-year-old was plucked from the water and onto a jet-ski, before being taken to the shore and rushed to hospital by an ambulance.

“(Butler) had that 100-yard stare that surfers get after a two-wave hold down or near-death experience,” ESPN Action Sports writer and photographer Frank Quirarte explained, recounting the scary incident.

Gerard was then reportedly taken to the nearby Stanford Medical Center and detained for observation overnight.

“He’s fine. Very scary. They brought him to Stanford University,” a rep for Butler confirmed to ETonline following the accident. “More scary than anything. For precaution, we all wanted him checked out after it all happened. Came out with flying colors.”

The UK’s Daily Mail points out that Butler’s lucky escape is made all the more stark by the fact well-known surfers have died while riding the notoriously difficult waves there.

In March of this year, 35-year-old Hawaiian surfer Sion Milosky died in a near identical accident (was held down for two waves) at Maverick’s and in 1994, pro-surfer Mark Foo also died there – an incident that led to a safety patrol being set up.

Of Men and Mavericks is due to hit theaters on October 26, 2012. To hear Gerard Butler talk about the upcoming film, check out the clip below:

Gerard Butler Hospitalized After Mavericks Surfing Accident is a post from: The Inquisitr

Although the prequel’s plot will mainly focus on new characters, producer Bernie Goldmann revealed that small parts have been written into the forthcoming film’s script that will allow Butler and Headey to reprise their respective roles.

“It’s a different story,” Goldmann said. “[However] there’s a small part for Lena [Headey]. There’s a small part for Gerry [Butler].”

Goldmann went on to say the film is likely to feature unknown actors in the lead roles, to ensure the experience is authentic. He added that a similar strategy was employed for the casting of the first 300 as well.

“When you make a period movie like that, it’s great not to know the actors,” Goldmann explained. “For me, as an audience, it always brings me into the movie more.”

When asked by MTV his thoughts on the 300 sequel and the possibility of stepping back into his role as Leonidas, Gerard Butler responded:

“I would love to get involved again, but it has to be something special. Because ’300′ to me was such a powerful one-off experience, that there’s no point in doing it again unless it’s really great.”

300: Battle of Artemisia, originally titled Xerses, is set for release sometime in 2013.

Watch Butler talk about his possible role in the film below:

Gerard Butler, Lena Headey to Appear in 300 Prequel? is a post from: The Inquisitr

Speaking to Us Weekly Butler revealed:

“I ate my last meal in October, and I run about 40 miles a day,” while adding, ”I’m joking! It’s just doing a lot of cardio and extremely watching what I eat. I stopped lifting big weights and I’m doing yoga.”

At 41-years-old changing your body isn’t an easy task but apparently not for Butler who revealed:

“It’s not hard to stay in shape,” but  ”It’s hard to be in really good shape!”

The slim body was needed so he could keep up the appearance of a surfer, most of whom are often skinny in stature.

Gerard joked with E!’s Cristina Gibson:

“If I wear a long shirt, everyone says ‘Oh my God, he lost so much weight!’” adding, “But this is how I look. I just used to be a lot bigger. But now I’m surfing. I’m doing a surf movie so I have to slim down. I don’t know … maybe I’m sick or something!”

Take a look at the much more slimmed down version of Gerard Butler in the photo above and let us know what you think about his 41-year-old physique.

Gerard Butler Talks About His Big Slim Down is a post from: The Inquisitr