Director Steven C. Miller Shares “Surreal” Experience Working With Bruce Willis

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As a die-hard fan of action movies, I must say that it’s truly a thrill to witness the journey of director Steven C. Miller. From working with legends like Bruce Willis to collaborating with rising stars like Mason Gooding and Dylan Sprouse, Miller has been an integral part of shaping the action genre we know today.

As the director who recently unleashed the action-horror hit “Werewolves,” I’m riding a wave of success, and rightfully so! It wasn’t just working with Frank Grillo, one of the genre’s greats, that made this journey special. You see, before that, I had the privilege to collaborate with another action legend – none other than Bruce Willis – for some of his last films. Now, I’m sharing my unique experience of directing someone I grew up admiring, an encounter I describe as “surreal.

Miller and Willis collaborated on three films during the latter’s declining years in action cinema: “Extraction” (2015), “Marauders” (2016), and “First Kill” (2017). In an interview with Variety, the director praised their camaraderie, stating that they enjoyed each other’s company immensely. He also shared a tale about Willis, highlighting his adaptable nature as a performer – one who was open to any ideas Miller had.

We had an amazing time together. Our interaction was seamless. He’s the kind of person I can easily reach out to and expect a response, which is quite unusual. He’s simply an outstanding individual. Our collaboration brought us to our third project, titled “First Kill”, and there was a point where he needed to stroll through town, being the sheriff. Initially, they had closed off the streets in this small town in Columbus, Ohio. I just suggested to Bruce, ‘Bruce, what if we catch everyone off guard and don’t block it off, instead letting you walk through the streets?’

“He said, ‘Oh yeah. Let’s go for it.’ I was just going to film it — whatever happens, happens. He’s totally game walking down the street. Everybody’s waving, but it looks like they’re saying ‘Hi’ to the local sheriff. They’re so excited, and Bruce is just eating it up, waving back. He’s having a good time. We get to the end. He’s like, ‘Should we do it again?’ And I was like, ‘Yeah!'”

Miller would remark that collaborating with someone he’s long admired was one of those “unbelievable” experiences for him, a feeling he’s encountered numerous times since his first feature film, “Automation Transfusion,” debuted in 2006.

“It feels unbelievable, almost dreamlike, interacting with someone you’ve admired throughout your life. Not only was I able to share a moment with him, but I could see his genuine enjoyment and eagerness for more.

The Future of the Action Genre Is in Good Hands

As a devoted admirer with a career spanning numerous action flicks under my belt (and countless more on the receiving end), I’ve gained some insights about this exhilarating genre. I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with icons like Bruce Willis, Frank Grillo, Sylvester Stallone, Nicolas Cage, and Dave Bautista. For my upcoming film, Under Fire, I’m confident that the genre is in capable hands with co-stars Mason Gooding and Dylan Sprouse. These rising stars, in my opinion, are poised to inherit the mantle from our veteran action heroes and steer the genre into a thrilling new era.

As a film enthusiast, I’ve been thrilled to see Liam Sprouse and Cuba Gooding Jr. joining forces for the action movie “Aftermath”. During an exclusive chat with Greg Archer from MovieWeb (pictured above), they shared some exciting insights about their upcoming collaboration. Miller hinted that these two talented actors possess a unique chemistry, which could potentially shape the future of the genre if they continue to channel this special energy in a positive direction.

You sense a certain charisma in some actors that makes you think, ‘These individuals could excel as action stars,’ and indeed, they possess this quality. It’s not merely their acting skills, but the overall impression they create on screen, their camera presence, and how they appear in front of the lens – there’s an undeniable allure about it that hints, ‘Yes, they’ve got what it takes.’ I genuinely hope they have the opportunity to further develop this potential.

The release date for the movie “Under Fire” hasn’t been announced yet since it’s still undergoing post-production. In the meantime, you can watch “First Kill” by Miller and Willis on Peacock streaming platform, and catch “Werewolves” in cinemas nationwide.

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2024-12-09 19:01