Miramax
Last year, it was announced that Bruce Willis would be retiring from acting at the age of 68 years old after being diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia.
The news of Willis’ diagnosis was particularly devastating as it added context to the seemingly endless stream of direct-to-video films that he’s made in recent years. In 2021 and 2022 alone, he starred in a whopping 19 direct-to-video projects.
Still, while Willis’ face and body may be in these movies, his essence certainly isn’t, as they’re all low-effort interchangeable B-movies that will remain largely unseen. This is where Quentin Tarantino comes in.
According to reports, Tarantino — who is gearing up to begin production on his “final” film The Movie Critic — reportedly wants to give Willis, who famously starred in Pulp Fiction, a cameo role in the project.
Now Tarantino wants to pay tribute to his old pal, according to the production source, by offering him a small role in The Movie Critic, which will be set in 1970s Los Angeles.
“Quentin hasn’t approached Bruce’s family yet – and will completely bow to their wishes if they say he’s too sick,” said the source. “If that’s the case, he aims to try to work a brief clip from one of Bruce’s many previous movies into the film.”
A family spokesperson declined to comment on the possibility of him appearing briefly in Tarantino’s film, but our source pointed out that the nod of appreciation would be a “fitting end” to a glittering career of 129 films. [via The Daily Express]
While reports previously indicated that The Movie Critic would begin production this fall, the ongoing actors’ strike is likely to throw a wrench in that schedule.
At this time, no actors have officially joined the cast of The Movie Critic. According to reports, though, Tarantino is reportedly looking for an actor in their mid-30s for the lead role and wants to work with someone he never has before.