Gerard Butler wants his movies to inspire

​Gerard Butler wants his movies to inspire.

The 'Hunter Killer' star feels it is important the this roles inspire people to change their life - whether it is to be more "courageous" or to "stand up for themselves", for example.

He said: "In some ways they are inspiring in that kind of way that humans want to go and be entertained and come out and go, 'Yeah, I want to be more courageous', or, 'I want to stand up for myself', or, 'I want to find something that's worth sacrificing for.' That's ultimately one of the reasons why I like making these big movies."

And the 48-year-old actor loves it when an action film just "works".

He added to reporters: "We always try our best but sometimes you make a movie and you go, 'OK, that really didn't work'. But, when it works, honestly, there is nothing better. There is nothing better than walking into a room and feeling the excitement of somebody who has watched a 300 or a Hunter Killer. Because there are always high stakes and there are always big ideas. You make these movies with original content, original ideas - not some intellectual property - and you're therefore dangling a little more, you know? You could fall on your a**. So, therefore, when it works, it's so exciting because of those high stakes. When they work they are incredibly exciting, thrilling, fun."