Bruce Willis, an acclaimed American actor, is famous for his legendary performances in action-packed movies. He achieved stardom through his portrayal of John McClane in the Die Hard franchise. With a versatile filmography, Willis is lauded for his impact on both action and comedy genres, firmly establishing himself as a Hollywood icon.
While The Expendables boasts an impressive ensemble cast, notable figures in the industry have declined roles in the franchise. This action-packed series, initiated in 2010 and directed by Sylvester Stallone, stands as one of his significant contributions to the genre. It assembles a team of action icons, paying homage to the action movies of the ’80s. But how did Bruce Willis land a role in the film.
Bruce Willis Got The Part After Kurt Russell Rejected The Film
Sylvester Stallone’s initial pick for the role of Mr. Church in The Expendables was Kurt Russell. Nevertheless, Russell opted not to take the role, citing a reluctance toward ensemble acting at that particular time as the reason for his decision. Russell later revealed that he hadn’t even viewed the films within the franchise, expressing (via Screen Rant), “It’s not a beat I get. It’s like looking backwards to me.“
Due to Russell’s refusal of the role, Sylvester Stallone ultimately chose Bruce Willis to portray Mr. Church.
In the film, Bruce Willis plays a character shrouded in mystery and intrigue, responsible for hiring Sylvester Stallone’s team of elite mercenaries. Willis’s performance brings an extra dose of star quality to the ensemble cast, and his character assumes a crucial position within this high-octane franchise.
After his initial role in The Expendables, Bruce Willis reprised his character in The Expendables 2, where his role was expanded. Although Willis was initially slated to return for The Expendables 3, a contractual dispute arose over his pay. Willis was set to earn $3 million for a four-day shoot, but he requested an additional million, which Sylvester Stallone declined. Stallone promptly cast Harrison Ford as Drummer in The Expendables 3 and publicly criticized Willis.
Bruce Willis Almost Lost Another Iconic Role
The 1995 science fiction film 12 Monkeys, directed by Terry Gilliam and starring Bruce Willis, masterfully blends intricate storytelling with Gilliam’s distinct visual style, creating a dark and dystopian vision of the future. The movie also prominently features Brad Pitt in a significant role.
Gilliam firmly stood against considering actors like Tom Cruise, and even Bruce Willis didn’t initially fit his vision. Gilliam candidly admitted in his interview with Inverse that Willis wasn’t his favored choice, primarily because of his distinctive facial attributes, notably his mouth.
Gilliam told Inverse:
“I had never been a great fan of Bruce’s before, but I liked talking to him, and I thought, ‘OK, this guy’s smart; he’s funny.’ I explained to him my concerns about him as an actor. I hated the Trumpian mouth he does in films. Rectal. It’s like I’m looking at somebody’s a*shole.”
After their initial encounter, Gilliam became more receptive to Willis and ultimately selected him for the role.
The Expendables can be streamed on Fubo TV.
Source: Screen Rant, Inverse
