How Disney Forced Bruce Willis to Star in Armageddon and The Sixth Sense

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Summary

  • Contractual obligations forced Bruce Willis to star in Armageddon and The Sixth Sense, leading to success despite a rocky start.
  • Willis’ career was saved by accepting reduced pay for Armageddon, leading to critical acclaim and commercial success.
  • Like Willis, other actors such as Val Kilmer and Marlon Brando also found themselves obligated to take on roles that they didn’t initially want.

As I delve into the captivating tales of these illustrious actors, it strikes me how their lives have been interwoven with moments of both triumph and tribulation, much like the intricate plots of their films themselves.

Back in the ’90s, I had the pleasure of witnessing Bruce Willis shine in two of his career’s most remarkable performances. Among them, “Armageddon” set a new standard for box office success in 1998, while “The Sixth Sense” followed close behind in 1999, trailing only “The Phantom Menace.” Interestingly enough, it wasn’t his own choice to be a part of these blockbusters; rather, he was contractually obligated to star in his two most lucrative films.

As a devoted movie enthusiast, I find myself drawn into the drama surrounding me, much like Bruce Willis found himself entangled in a production predicament. His actions apparently led to Disney halting work on a project he was producing and starring in. This situation shares some parallels with Joaquin Phoenix’s unexpected exit from a recent romance film due to “cold feet.” At the moment, no definitive action has emerged, but whispers persist about potential legal ramifications that echo Willis’s predicament.

It turns out that Willis wasn’t the only one who found themselves involved in famous productions due to an obligation rather than choice. Many other actors have followed suit, giving us a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes turmoil that occasionally shapes film history positively.

Broadway Brawler Falls Apart and Disney Threatens Legal Action

Following his successful portrayal of David Addison in the hit sitcom “Moonlighting”, Bruce Willis’s career soared. In 1988, he starred as the lead in the “Die Hard” franchise, which further boosted his popularity. As major film roles came his way throughout the 1990s, problems started to surface towards the end of the decade. One project, the romantic comedy “Broadway Brawler”, was set for release in 1997 but remained unfinished, potentially impacting his career trajectory.

After just 20 days into filming, the mood on set was noticeably tense. Reports suggest that Willis was dissatisfied with the output of several crew members, leading to the termination of various roles. Positions eliminated include those of the cinematographer, wardrobe designer, director, and Willis’s co-producer.

Initially, more than half of the movie’s $20 million budget had already been used up. In an attempt to rectify the situation, Willis brought on a new director. Regrettably, Disney halted the film’s production before any further scenes could be filmed.

Willis’ actions related to the collapse of “Broadway Brawler” put him in a difficult position with Disney, leading to a $17.5 million lawsuit and a substantial case against him by The Walt Disney Company.

Armageddon to the Rescue

In an effort to resolve a predicament that threatened the William Morris Agency, which managed Willis, they endeavored to strike a deal with him to extricate him from the situation. Eventually, they arrived at a satisfactory agreement that Willis shrewdly agreed to. This contract bound him to appear in three future films for Disney at a significantly lower wage. At the time, it may not have seemed like an exceptional arrangement, but looking back, it proved to be highly profitable for him.

The first movie among the trio was titled “Armageddon,” and Bruce Willis received $3 million for his part in it, which was significantly less than his usual fee by an impressive $17 million. Disney justified this cost reduction to compensate for the financial loss incurred when “Broadway Brawler” flopped. The film garnered a mixed reception, earning numerous award nominations and some wins, primarily for its soundtrack.

While I couldn’t help but chuckle at Willis’s Golden Raspberry win for his lead performance, it’s indisputable that the movie was a box office sensation, raking in the most money in 1998, making history as the highest-grossing film of that year.

In the sequel of events, Willis found himself bound to take on the role of child psychologist Malcom Crowe in M. Night Shyamalan’s “The Sixth Sense.” This movie was one of the most highly praised films from the 1990s, earning significant critical acclaim. Conversely, the 2000 film titled “The Kid” did not fare as well and was less successful. With a relatively small return at the box office, “The Kid” served as the third consecutive movie that helped solidify Willis’s career following a major setback.

Other Actors Who Were Forced Into Their Roles

It seems that a number of other actors have found themselves in similar situations as Willis, accepting roles more out of duty than desire. For instance, Val Kilmer initially declined to participate in the iconic film, Top Gun from 1986. In his documentary, Val, he admitted that the script appeared “ridiculous” to him.

Straight from Juilliard, Kilmer initially showed no interest in starring in action movies. Yet, due to a studio contract with Paramount, he found himself trying out for the part. Remarkably, he managed to secure the role, even though he made several attempts to sabotage the audition process.

In a similar vein to Willis’s predicament, Marlon Brando found himself in a situation where his role in the 1954 film, “Desirée,” was not voluntary. Just before the start of filming for “The Egyptian,” Brando decided to withdraw, citing his co-star, Bella Darvi, as being below par and therefore he no longer wished to participate in the project. Fox Studios were displeased with this turn of events, taking legal action against Brando for exacerbating the situation by causing unnecessary delays.

Just like Willis, Brando agreed to the arrangement to portray the notorious French dictator. However, things didn’t always run smoothly, as Brando often displayed unprofessional behavior on set, which led Paramount to question his suitability for the role in The Godfather.

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2024-08-22 02:01