As Bruce Willis answered a bombshell expose stating producer Randall Emmett maintained shooting movies with the star despite his worsening health, his attorney insisted his client “wanted to work” and was “able to do so.”
The answer follows a shocking Los Angeles Times article that Emmett informed his wife LaLa Kent Willis “couldn’t remember any of his lines’ and “didn’t know” where he was on set.
Though Willis battle aphasia, Emmet, 51, and Willis, 67 filmed five movies together in 2021; Midnight in the Switchgrass, Out of Death, Survive the Game, Fortress, and Wrong Place.
Along with two additional films in 2020, Hard Kill and Survive the Night, they also collaborated on the still-to-be Wire Room project.
‘My client remained working after his medical diagnosis because he wanted to work and was able to do so, just like many others diagnosed with aphasia who are capable of continuing to work,’ said Willis’ attorney, Marty Singer in a statement.
Bruce Willis’s attorney has maintained that his client “wanted to work” and was “able to do so” as he addressed charges made in a blockbuster expose about producer Randall Emmett continuing to create movies with the star despite his failing health; Willis and Emmett photographed in 2012
Those movies could find financing since Mr. Willis starred in them. That produced literally thousands of jobs, many during the COVID-19 epidemic.”
The expose, which makes a variety of allegations regarding Emmett, claims Willis filmed five additional films with him in the 15 months following Midnight In The Switchgrass, when his health problems were clearly visible.
The LA Times article claims that Willis found it difficult to capture a scene in September 2020 whereby he kicked open a door.
Emmett was directing the movie and tried to assist him in perfecting the sequence.
But when that didn’t work, Emmett left the set “in frustration,” the LA Times reports.
Emmett reportedly battled to guide Willis on the Midnight In the Switchgrass set; shown with Willis and co-star Megan Fox
Allegedly asking crew personnel, “Did I do something wrong?” the Die Hard actor questioned
Emmett’s then-fiance Lala Kent remembered Emmett crying about the matter.
“I can’t do this anymore,” Kent says he told her on a phone call overheard by two others. “It is just so depressing. Bruce recalls none of his lines. He is not sure where he is.
Emmett denied knowing of any drop in Mr. Willis’s health or the chat with his ex.
Was there anything I did wrong? Reportedly in annoyance, the Die Hard star questioned team members after Emmett left; seen 2019.
According to the LA Times, Willis’s medical problems were a “open secret” on movie sets at the time.
“Our stunt coordinator mentioned he was struggling,” Midnight in the Switchgrass property master Alicia Haverland told the Los Angeles Times. ‘Our first AD observed his struggle. To not notice him struggling, you would have to be blind.
Since 2006, the actor has made a total of two dozen films with Emmett’s company Emmett/Furla Oasis; ‘and the speed of the output accelerated as Willis’s health deteriorated.’
Heartbreaking news: Based on his aphasia diagnosis back in March, Willis’s family confirmed his acting retirement; photographed 2019
Following his aphasia diagnosis back in March, Willis’s family announced his acting retirement.
According to The Mayo Clinic, Willis’ illness is “a condition that affects your ability to communicate,” that “can affect your speech, as well as the way you write and understand both spoken and written language.”
The disorder can be a prelude to a brain tumor or Alzheimer’s disease or arise from a head injury or stroke.
Usually treated with speech therapy and taught techniques for nonverbal communication, patients living with the disorder are
The film starring Fox and Willis was released in 2021
His wife Emma Willis, ex-wife Demi Moore, 59, and five daughters Rumer, 33, Scout, 30, Tallulah, 28, Mabel Ray, 10, and Evelyn, eight, issued a joint statement via Instagram March 30 announcing his aphasia diagnosis.
They said that the Hollywood icon ‘has been experiencing some health issues and has recently been diagnosed with aphasia, which is impacting his cognitive abilities.
‘As a result of this and with much consideration Bruce is stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him. This is a really challenging time for our family and we are so appreciative of your continued love, compassion and support.’
They continued: ‘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. As Bruce always says, “Live it up” and together we plan to do just that.’
Willis’ career spanned nearly 45 years and saw him take on iconic roles in films like Pulp Fiction, Die Hard, The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable and many more projects.
Hollywood icon: Willis’ career spanned nearly 45 years and saw him take on iconic roles in films like Pulp Fiction, Die Hard, The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable and many more projects; pictured 2019