Taking Bruce Willis to new heights in his career, Die Hard (1988) was the right step in the right direction for the renowned actor. Despite the fact that the film was released thirty-five years ago, it has managed to retain its fan following and is still known as one of the greatest films to have come out of the action genre.
However, as Bruce Willis was testing the waters of the action genre, it was already being ruled by yet another action star, Arnold Schwarzenegger. And when the two came face to face one evening, Arnold Schwarzenegger might have tried a hand at intimidating Bruce Willis by letting him know why he was not going to make it as an action star.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Disses Bruce Willis
Bruce Willis was never the first choice to bring the iconic character, John McClane, to life. A lot of actors were ahead of him in line including, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Frank Sinatra, Clint Eastwood, and many, many more. However, when all of them turned down the offer, the role was hesitantly given to Willis.
In his new book, The Last Action Heroes: The Triumphs, Flops, and Feuds of Hollywood’s Kings of Carnage, author Nick de Semlyen writes about an incident where Schwarzenegger had a snarky remark about the then-upcoming action legend after the release of Die Hard.
According to Semlyen, the Commando actor was enjoying his dinner at a restaurant in Santa Monica when in walked Willis. The Former Governor of California didn’t miss a beat before calling out to him and asking, “Know why you’ll never be an action star?” Schwarzenegger was so loud that the entire restaurant was able to hear him. When Willis replied, “No, Arnold, Why?” the actor casually remarked, “Toothpick arms.”
Well, we don’t know if that was an intimidation tactic on Schwarzenegger’s part but what we do know is that his remark couldn’t have been further from the truth. Willis went on to become a legend in the action genre with films like Armageddon, Last Man Standing, Sin City and so many more, the unlikely action hero became one of the best ones out there!
Arnold Schwarzenegger Took His Words Back
Willis was unfortunately diagnosed with a neurological condition, aphasia, which eventually progressed into frontotemporal dementia. Owing to this, the Pulp Fiction actor announced his retirement from acting in 2022 leaving Hollywood in a state of grief.
After the announcement, Schwarzenegger had something to say about the actor, and this time, it was all positive. Despite getting off on the wrong foot the two ultimately became close friends and the Terminator actor couldn’t have let Willis retire without a few good words from his old friend. In an interview with CinemaBlend, Schwarzenegger stated,
“I think that he’s fantastic. He was, always for years and years, is a huge, huge star. And I think that he will always be remembered as a great, great star. And a kind man. I understand that under his circumstances, health-wise, that he had to retire. But in general, you know, we never really retire. Action heroes, they reload.”
From telling Willis that he will never be an action hero to considering him as one of the best in the work, the two really did come full circle. As Die Hard celebrates its 35th anniversary, we cannot help but reminisce about the brilliant career trajectory that has been led by Willis.
You can watch Die Hard on Hulu.
Source: The Last Action Heroes
