Dracula gone wild! Gerard Butler unrecognisable in an old audition tape which got him the coveted role

By Daily Mail Reporter

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Gerard Butler's female fans swooned when the handsome actor played Dracula in the 2000 film of the same name.

But in his audition tape for the role, the heart throb looks more like a caveman.

In the tape, which has resurfaced on YouTube, the actor wears a wild wig and fake teeth, acting out his lines dramatically to an unknown woman in the room.

Wild: Gerard Butler acts out the role of Dracula in this edition tape for the 2000 film of the same name

Wild: Gerard Butler acts out the role of Dracula in this edition tape for the 2000 film of the same name

Transformed: Gerard fought hard for the role of Dracula, but the make-up department had its own ideas for his look for the movie

Transformed: Gerard fought hard for the role of Dracula, but the make-up department had its own ideas for his look for the movie

In the filmed version of the movie, for which Butler won the role of Count Dracula, the then 30-year-old actor was made up to look completely different.

In contrast to his wild and woolly cave-man look for the audition, the young actor was groomed and dapper for his part in the real movie, his face clean shaven for the role.

The horror film, which also starred Christopher Plummer, built on Bram Stoker's 1897 novel Dracula, with Count Dracula resurrected in the year 200. 

The movie was a critical and commercial disappointment, though it gained a cult following which resulted in two direct-to-video sequels.

During casting for the movie, the film's producers and director Wes Craven were wanting a big name in the lead role, according to IMDB.

Butler wasn't much of a consideration, but his tenacity reportedly drove him to hounding the producers.

Eventually, he sent them a clip of his portrayal of Attila in a movie he had just finished filming.

Tenacious: Producers of the film are said to have wanted a name when they were casting more than a decade ago, but a young and ambitious Gerard was persistent

Tenacious: Producers of the film are said to have wanted a name when they were casting more than a decade ago, but a young and ambitious Gerard was persistent

Tenacious: Producers of the film are said to have wanted a name when they were casting more than a decade ago, but a young and ambitious Gerard was persistent

Tasty: In his audition tape, the then 20-something actor wore a long, wild wig, fake fangs and dark eyeliner

And after putting down his 'wild man' audition, he was eventually cast as Dracula.

Attila's producers, thinking that his big-screen role might help with their own film's ratings, finished shooting a little early so he could get to work on Dracula 2000.

Following these two roles, Butler developed quite a fan base, an Internet site and began appearing on lists everywhere.

Hirsuit: In the Wes Craven movie Dracula, Gerard appeared dapper and clean shaven, in contrast to his wild appearance for the audition

Hirsuit: In the Wes Craven movie Dracula, Gerard appeared dapper and clean shaven, in contrast to his wild appearance for the audition

Ambitious: Before doing the audition, Gerard sent producers of Dracula some scenes he had done for the movie Atilla

Ambitious: Before doing the audition, Gerard sent producers of Dracula some scenes he had done for the movie Atilla

Butler made headlines earlier this year after checking into a rehab centre for substance abuse issues.

The 42-year-old actor checked into the Betty Ford Center in February, according to TMZ.

The problems reportedly arose when he started suffering from severe pain following the shooting of action movie 300 back in 2006.

Wild man: Gerard has been in the headlines more recently after checking into rehab

Wild man: Gerard has been in the headlines more recently after checking into rehab

Quiet: The now 42-year-old actor has been on his best behaviour this year, apparently staying sober since checking out of rehab

Quiet: The now 42-year-old actor has been on his best behaviour this year, apparently staying sober since checking out of rehab

Butler spoke previously about how difficult he found it to adjust when filming wrapped on the physically-gruelling action film 300.

He said: 'When when you finish filming your whole routine changes and suddenly you don't have to do what you did anymore. It's kind of weird. You feel a little lost. You don't have to hold yourself the same way physically.

'There was definitely a period of adjustment and physical pain because I stopped training. That was the worst thing I could have done.'

Hirsuit glamour: Butler at the Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills in January this year

Hirsuit glamour: Butler at the Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills in January this year

It had also been reported last year that there were plans to make a sequel to the film, with claims in December that Joel Egerton was in line to replace Butler in the role of King of Sparta.

Then, late last year, Butler was involved in the surfing accident which is believed to have exacerbated the pain he was feeling even further.

The in-demand actor appears to be sticking with his commitment to sobriety.

At the Cannes film festival in May, he was seen attending glamorous parties drinking nothing but soda water.

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