Allegations have arisen about actor Bruce Willis’ actions on film sets, with crew members and actors claiming that he misfired prop guns and required an earpiece to have his lines fed to him.
These claims have emerged after Willis’ family revealed that he is retiring from acting due to being diagnosed with aphasia, a language disorder that impairs communication, often occurring after a stroke or brain injury.
According to a report by The Los Angeles Times, Willis alarmed movie staffers two years ago when he misfired a prop gun twice on the set of Hard Kill.
The report claims that Willis struggled to remember his lines and had to be fed words through an earpiece, known in the industry as an “earwig”. A body double was reportedly used in most action scenes that involved prop guns.
In one scene of the film Hard Kill, actress Lala Kent, who played Willis’ daughter, was meant to be protected by his character from villains.
Willis was meant to deliver a line that served as her cue to duck before he fired a gun, but he allegedly shot the firearm without uttering the line. Kent recalled asking director Matt Eskandari to remind Willis to say his line before firing again in the next take, but the same thing happened again.
Although the film’s producer and armourer denied the incident, Kent and other crew members claimed that Willis did wrongly discharge the prop gun. While no one was hurt, the incident alarmed the movie staffers, as it occurred twice.
Aphasia is a serious condition that impairs a person’s ability to communicate, making even simple tasks such as speaking, reading, and writing difficult.
It can occur after a brain injury or a stroke, and it can be a lifelong condition that requires ongoing care and support. The announcement of Willis’ diagnosis has drawn attention to the condition and the challenges that those living with it face.
In a statement, Willis’ family said that this is a challenging time for them, and they are appreciative of the love, compassion, and support they have received. “We are moving through this as a strong family unit and wanted to bring his fans in because we know how much he means to you, as you do to him,” they added.
Willis’ fans and colleagues have offered their support and well wishes, and many have commended the actor’s courage in facing this difficult diagnosis. The news has also sparked conversations about the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of language disorders and the need for more awareness and support for those living with them.
As Willis steps away from the spotlight to focus on his health, many will be keeping him and his family in their thoughts and wishing them all the best.