The Eagle
The ‘Sword and Sandals’ film genre doesn’t always immediately fill female audiences with excitement, we usually find it hard enough to concentrate long enough through one episode of Rome!
So the thought of sitting through two hours of big battle scenes generally pre-empts a massive yawn.
There is however one redeeming factor to this genre and it comes complete with a glistening six pack and bulging biceps!
The heroic alpha male characters that adorn these films, with their tough exterior and brooding looks are enough to send women swooning into their sofas!
Big budget Hollywood execs usually send in the most exclusive Hollywood hunks and there is no exception this week when Channing Tatum hits our screens in the Roman adventure film The Eagle!
To celebrate Channing looking buff as a young Roman centurion in The Eagle, we have decided to take you through our top five Hollywood sword-swishing hunks that make us weak at the knees.
Gerard Butler in 300
Gerard Butler really stood out as King Leondis (King of the Spartans) in 300 and this particular film proved to be Gerard’s break-out role and with those abs, we completely understand why we wanted to see more of this actor!
This was a notoriously tough part to play for Gerard as he had to undertake a gruelling regime of exercise and diet to get him looking like a King of a Roman army.
For six months straight, Gerard worked out harder than most professional athletes to get in tip top condition for the part. The work really payed off, as you can see for yourself...
Russell Crowe in Gladiator
It took Ridley Scott, Russell Crowe, and a little movie called Gladiator to reignite filmgoers' interest in ancient Rome, to the tune of over $450 million in worldwide box office and a whopping 12 Academy Award nominations!
Russell had to stick to a strict training regime to give him the stamina to complete the intricate fight scenes in 40lb of armour! The hard work payed off though as he picked up an Academy Award for best actor.
Jake Gyllenhaal in Prince of Persia
Jake Gyllenhaal took the role for Prince of Persia in his stride claiming the training regime was a piece of cake.
"There was nothing hard about it man, I was paid to get in shape" said Jake. The cavalry were called in to help Jake reach tip top fighting condition and his trainer was none other than an ex Royal Marine! Who better to teach this A-List actor real hard work.
The benefits of Jake’s dedication and hard work really showed, making him one of Hollywood’s hottest stars.
Brad Pitt in Troy
If you thought Brad Pitt’s scene in Thelma and Louise was hot then you need to catch up with Brad in the epic adventure film Troy, In which our favourite pretty boy hunk stars as hero warrior Achilles.
Achilles is the ultimate fighting warrior, so we get to see Brad unleash his muscles and fight off armies of Trojans, often single-handedly, proving himself as the ultimate warrior king!
If that wasn’t enough for you, the film also features the handsome Orlando Bloom so this really does pack in enough hotness for even the most pickiest woman to choose from!
Sam Worthington in Clash of the Titans
Following up from his smash hit performance in Avatar, Sam Worthington wowed us again as Perseus in Clash of The Titans.
Playing half man half god is no mean feat, and although most of the film is shot in CGI, Sam’s ripped and muscular physique is all natural.
It was reported that Sam refused to wear sandals while filming, instead painting toes on his sports shoes so he could perform the stunts better... what a pro!
The mythological action in this film is presented in 3D, so if the storyline doesn’t grab your attention Sam Worthing surely will.
The Eagle is released 23rd March