Arnold Schwarzenegger Told Bruce Willis One Reason Why He Would Never Be an Action Star
Bruce Willis’ iconic action film, Die Hard marks a milestone by completing its 35th anniversary. It gives its viewers a chance to explore intriguing behind the scenes story of Willis and his journey to becoming an action star. An interesting fact about the movie is that not all know Bruce Willis, who played John McClane’s role, wasn’t the first choice for the role.
Arnold Schwarzenegger, who is well-known for the role of The Terminator, was the one who was considered first for the role, but fate had other plans. Willis even received a bit of cheeky advice from Arnold Schwarzenegger, which is said to have fueled his determination for success.
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Cheeky Advice to Bruce Willis
Nick de Semlyen, the author of, The Last Action Heroes: The Triumphs, Flops and Feuds of Hollywood’s Kings of Carnage, uncovered the amusing encounter between Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The two action stars met at the Santa Monica restaurant after the movie’s premiere. There, Schwarzenegger teased Willis playfully about his chance of becoming an action star, which cites toothpick arms in the light-heart exchange.
“Know why you’ll never be an action star?” Schwarzenegger had asked Willis who was seated on the other side of the restaurant. “No, Arnold, why?” Willis had inquired curiously. Pointing to Willis’ arm after flexing his biceps, Arnold had teased, “Toothpick arms.”
Bruce Willis Brought Unwavering Commitment to Craft
Willis worked diligently to silence any doubts about his suitability as the action star. As an actor, he embarked on a physical transformation to attain strength and physique, which were required for demanding roles. By all means, he set a new standard for the protagonists of the action movie.
Read More: Bruce Willis Reportedly Made 30% of His Entire $250M Net Worth By Starring in Just 5 Movies
The success of the movie Die Hard pays tribute to the indomitable spirit of Willis and the rise of him to the stardom of the action movie. So, it seems like the cheeky advice of Schwarzenegger was far from discouraging, and it catalyzed the commitment of Willis to the craft.
Bruce Willis’s Unconventional Casting in Die Hard Was a Success
Even after not being the initial choice for the role, Willis got the character of John McClane with a tenacity that remains unparalleled. What was best was that John McTiernan, director of Die Hard, could bring out Willis’s unique charisma and raw talent. This proved the critics completely wrong and did win over the critics and audiences.
Die Hard became a monumental success and immortalized John McClane’s role. It catapulted Willis to superstardom. The gripping narrative of the movie brought together Willis’s authentic portrayal of John McClane. It secured his place in cinematic history. Even the movie’s catchphrases, like Yippee ki-yay, did etch within pop culture lore.
Willis’s dedication and talent established Willis as one of the most enduring action stars of Hollywood, and people today celebrate the actor’s impact in the world of action cinema.
Source: Fox News
