In a new interview with Variety to promote his latest movie Ambulance, star director Michael Bay had plenty of kind words to say about actor Bruce Willis, who directed him in his third feature film, Armageddon, in 1998.
“He’s a movie star,” Michael said of Bruce, who recently retired from acting due to confinement. “He can control the screen. He’s very funny too.”
Speaking of the actor’s sense of humor, Michael recalled a very specific episode that happened while on the set of Armageddon, when Bruce actually tried to storm a space shuttle while filming at NASA.
“They took an hour off, for us,” the director said of the spaceship. We are on the crane bridge [the Orbiter Access Arm, which allows access into the shuttle]Bruce managed to get in. Once inside, the 67-year-old actor was allowed to sit at the capsule door, but, Michael recalls, he had plans to explore the ship further.
(Photo credit: Dia Dipasupil/Staff)
“[Bruce] He goes to me, “Mike, we’re going to do one thing. The second time, I’m going to run for her and I’m going inside the shuttle.”
The duo proceeded to walk toward the capsule door, and as Bruce was about to storm the shuttle, Michael recalls “men in suits, fully masked, [wagging fingers side to side saying]’Ah ah ah!’
As funny as Michael’s narration of the episode is, fans can’t help but mourn Bruce’s departure from acting due to his recent diagnosis of aphasia, a language disorder caused by brain damage that will likely make it very difficult for him to properly communicate with the action. straight ahead.
“To the amazing Bruce fans, as a family we wanted to share that our beloved Bruce has some health issues and was recently diagnosed with aphasia, which is affecting his cognitive abilities,” Bruce’s ex-wife, Demi Moore, wrote on Instagram. A few weeks ago. “As a result of this and with a great deal of consideration, Bruce is walking away from a career path that used to mean so much to him. We are moving through this as a strong family unit, and we wanted to attract his fans because we know how much he means to you, as you do to him. As Bruce always says, ‘Live your life,” and together we plan to do just that.”
The letter was signed by Bruce’s current wife, Emma Hemming Willis, and all of the actor’s children: Rumer, Scout and Tallulah – whom he shares with Demi – and Mabel and Evelyn – Bruce’s children with Emma.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Willis family, hopefully brighter days ahead.