It seems a script was bought by two production companies. The plot of White House Down: a secret service agent must take on invaders in the White House. The plot of Olympus Has Fallen: a secret service agent must take on invaders in the White House. The difference between the two is execution (which can be seen in the titles).
According to IMDB, the following is White House Down‘s story line: “A secret service agent is tasked with saving the life of the U.S. President after the White House is overtaken by a paramilitary group.” The film stars Channing Tatum as secret service agent John Cale, Jamie Foxx as President James Sawyer, Maggie Gyllenhaul as another secret service agent, and Richard Jenkins as the Speaker of the House.
This is IMDB’s storyline for Olympus Has Fallen: “Disgraced former Presidential guard Mike Banning finds himself trapped inside the White House in the wake of a terrorist attack; using his inside knowledge, Banning works with national security to rescue the President from his kidnappers.” Gerard Butler stars as secret service agent Mike Banner, Aaron Eckhart is President Benjamin Asher, and Morgan Freeman is Speaker Trumbull.
White House Down doesn’t have a trailer released yet. Olympus Has Fallen’s trailer shows the fall from grace of the protagonist, Mike Banner. The President’s vehicle slides off the side of an icy bridge. As the car balances on the edge, Mike Banner grabs President Benjamin Asher but the car falls before the President’s wife is rescued. Banner is overwhelmed with guilt and takes time off. As soon as he returns, the White House is overtaken. People are already having problems with the unreal special effects.
White House Down is being critiqued before the trailer is even out; stills of the film show that Channing Tatum’s John Cale pulls a John McClane and sports a wife-beater rather than his full suit or any tactical gear.
Casts and titles suggest Olympus Has Fallen will win over critics, while White House Down will win over ticket buyers. Only time will tell. Which do you want to see? Leave your choice in the comments below.