Plane: Is Louis Gaspare Based on a Real Convict?

Helmed by Jean-François Richet, the action-packed thriller ‘Plane‘ stars Gerard Butler and Mike Colter in the roles of pilot Brodie Torrance and murder suspect Louis Gaspare. Following an emergency landing on the island of Jolo, Philippines, the two characters must join forces to save the passengers from separatist militants and ensure a return to safety. Throughout the narrative, Louis’s persona and actions are a mystery. Struggling with the hand that the justice system dealt him and facing probable imprisonment, he finds himself choosing between risking his life for others or continuing his solitary life.

Louis Gaspare: A Fictional Inmate With a Mysterious Background

Louis Gaspare is an entirely fictional character created by writers Charles Cumming and J. P. Davis. However, certain clues in the story hint towards possible inspirations. The French Foreign Legion is a military unit famous for allowing foreign volunteers. This facet enriches Louis’s past, as his reasons for heading to France are unknown. The legion is also infamous for harboring fugitives, as enlistment under an assumed name is one of its conditions. It is possible that the legend of many such fugitive legionnaires inspired Louis’s character. His character also expresses many real-life anxieties, such as the unreliability of the justice system, which is most likely to prosecute and imprison him regardless of his innocence.

Mike Colter said that he followed the Meisner Technique when portraying Louis’s character, explaining that he could imagine how he moved, spoke, and felt. Over time, this formed a complete behavioral profile, which, coupled with his past and the accusations of murder against him, provided the actor with a clear opinion of who Louis was, independent of the script. He went on further, noting that actors often speak more with their performance than mere words, and for the character of Louis, he ensured that the audience never quite understood who he was. Given that the audience is never privy to the nature of his accusations, it creates a true enigma that is waiting to be unraveled. SPOILERS AHEAD.

Louis Finds Redemption in Saving the Passengers

For the first half of the story, Louis maintains a strong aloofness from the rest of the passengers. When Brodie first approaches him, he declares that they have different problems that have nothing to do with each other. While he is perfectly capable of surviving the forest on his own, he seemingly shows no interest in helping others. This behavior is at odds with his past as a soldier, a profession where his entire life was dedicated to protecting those in need. His transformation is likely to be linked to the accusations levied against him and his belief that he will not receive a fair trial. The institutions he once served seem to have abandoned him, and as a response, he becomes a fugitive, both in place and in his emotions.

Louis’s attitude changes after he kills a rebel to protect Brodie, revealing the man hidden behind apathetic cynicism: a heroic fighter. He then risks his life numerous times to protect the passengers, using his skill set for the greater good. He also teaches Brodie how to use the rifles, showcasing his growth. The closure to their arc takes shape in the form of their final interaction, where Brodie, seeing him escape with a bag of cash, nods in respect. Both the central characters leave the incident with a renewed appreciation for life. While Brodie returns to his family, Louis finds his peace. This time, his escape is unlike his previous attempts, as it has been the culmination of a series of noble acts. The audience remains confident about his ability to survive the forest and begin his new adventure.