It's easy for Gerard Butler to score in this movie, and that's off the soccer field. He hopes to score at the box office as a soccer coach trying to win back his ex-wife.
In the film, Butler takes over the coaching duties of his son's soccer team. His character used to play soccer professionally. Now he's hoping to get a job as a sportscaster and reclaim his place in the lives of his ex-wife and their young son.
Butler is also one of the producers of "Playing for Keeps." I asked him if producing will then transfer to screenwriting and directing.
"I have been thinking about it, but when it becomes a serious possibility, I'm like, 'Oh well, I'll just stick with the acting and producing right now,'" said Butler.
Butler's original career plan was a far cry from show business.
"I studied law and I trained as a lawyer and that definitely didn't go the way I wanted it to go," said Butler. "A week away from qualifying, I was fired, which was the best thing that ever happened to me. But at the time, big struggle where I was in my life, and that's what led me into acting."
In this role, he's a magnet for soccer moms, including one played by Catherine Zeta-Jones.
When it comes to the ladies, Butler knows he may not be marriage material. At least not yet.
"I've had a couple of girlfriends who I'm still very good friends with who... especially in younger relationships...were like, 'You're just hopeless. But you're a good guy.' So we became good friends. But yeah, just don't talk to me about relationships," Butler said with a laugh.
"Playing for Keeps" opens Friday. It's rated PG-13.
