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The ’90s – a time when Bruce Willis was ‘the guy’for Hollywood. Fresh offDie Hardand coasting through a streak of hits, hits likeThe Fifth Element,Armageddon, andThe Sixth Sense,he was Hollywood’s everyman hero with just the right amount of smirk. If a movie needed someone to crack wise (sometimes for the heck of it) while saving the day, Willis was first in line. But even when you’re on top, it’s easy to misread the room.
Over the years, Willis passed on roles that turned out to be major hits—or gave others their defining moment. Some decisions were understandable, while others…well, even Bruce has admitted he’d love a do-over. Here are ten roles Bruce Willis turned down and (probably) regretted instantly.
10Broadway Brawler (1997)
This one requires a caveat, so we’re putting it last.Bruce Willisdid star inBroadway Brawler, but he himself shut it all down.Broadway Brawlerturned into one of the messiest production shutdowns in Hollywood history. The 1997 hockey-themed comedy saw Willis playing a down-on-his-luck player. Just three weeks into filming, however, Willis, who also served as co-producer, invoked his authority to fire almost everyone—including director Lee Grant. With no clear path forward, the decision was made to pull the plug entirely.
Once filming begins, halting production is almost unheard of due to the money involved. Andy Vajna, head of Cinergi Productions (which was funding the movie), however, had little choice but to scrap the project entirely.
For Vajna, it was a particularly sticky situation. He had worked with Willis on major projects before, including the massive hitDie Hard With a Vengeanceand the much less successfulColor of Night. While the shutdown ofBroadway Brawlerremains a sore spot in Hollywood lore, it shows how quickly things can fall apart—even with an A-list star.
9Desperately Seeking Susan (1985)
There’s something slightly voyeuristic about reading personal ads. Even if you’re not looking for love. That curiosity is whatDesperately Seeking Susantaps into—starting with a classified ad that sets the whole thing into motion.
A bored housewife, Roberta, becomes obsessed with an ad:“Desperately Seeking Susan.”Who’s looking for her, and why? Following her curiosity, Roberta ends up at the meeting spot, spots Susan (Madonna), and accidentally gets caught up in her world. The plot gets rather wild, with mobsters, amnesia, and even a scene where Roberta gets sawed in half by a magician. Sure, it is all a bit wobbly, but the film’s offbeat nature makes it a fun ride.
Bruce Willis auditioned for the role of Dez, the charming projectionist who gets caught up in the misadventures of Susan and Roberta. He didn’t get the part though, which ultimately went to Aidan Quinn.
8Police Academy (1984)
The idea forPolice Academywas inspired by a San Francisco mayor’s initiative to accept all applicants to the police academy—regardless of height, weight, or other factors—which caught producer Paul Maslansky’s attention. A sergeant remarked they’d enroll everyone but wash out the less qualified.What if they all graduated?That simple idea sparked the concept. Initially, the script leaned heavily on raunchy humor in the vein ofAnimal HouseandPorky’s.
Before Willis became John McClane, he was just another struggling actor trying to land roles. He auditioned for the part of Carey Mahoney, the wisecracking troublemaker. The role, however, went to Steve Guttenberg, whose career took off with the franchise’s success. EvenTom Hanksand Michael Keaton were considered for Mahoney’s role.
Would Bruce have fit into the madcap world of Police Academy? Maybe. But in hindsight, missing out on this one might have been a blessing in disguise. Bruce’s path to stardom ended up being much cooler (and way more explosive).
7The General’s Daughter (1999)
The General’s Daughteris a thriller that follows Warrant Officer Paul Brenner, an Army cop investigating the gruesome murder of Capt. Elisabeth Campbell, daughter of a high-ranking general. Elisabeth’s body is discovered in a disturbingly graphic crime scene, and Brenner, along with his partner Sarah Sunhill, must unravel the web of secrets surrounding her life and death.
Bruce Willis was considered for the role of Paul Brenner, the military investigator unraveling the conspiracy in this thriller. The part ultimately went to John Travolta, who delivered a standout performance.
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The film creates a compelling Southern Gothic atmosphere, sustained by a tense, procedural investigation. But one can’t help but wish the filmmakers had shown more restraint in handling such a sensitive subject. This seems like a missed chance for Willis as well, considering he’d later tackle similar themes in movies likeTears of the Sun.
6The Fisher King (1991)
Directed by Terry Gilliam, The Fisher King is a sprawling package that stars Jeff Bridges as Jack, a cynical radio host whose on-air remarks inadvertently inspire a tragic shooting. Consumed by guilt, Jack spirals into depression until he meets Parry, a homeless man with a tragic past and a belief that the Holy Grail resides in a Manhattan billionaire’s home. Together, they go on a surreal journey to redeem themselves.
The film juggles plenty – urban life, fantasy elements like a flaming horseman, two love stories, and a quest for the grail. It’s ambitious but uneven. Bruce Willis was considered for the role of Jack Lucas, but the part eventually went to Bridges, who gave a phenomenal performance opposite Robin Williams. While Bruce had the charm and edge to pull it off, this was a case of the right actor at the right time.
5Training Day (2001)
Training Dayis a cop drama that flips the script on police corruption.Denzel Washingtondelivers a powerhouse performance as Alonzo Harris, a rogue narcotics officer whose methods are as brutal as they are morally bankrupt. Alonzo mentors rookie Jake Hoyt (Ethan Hawke) during one messy day in Los Angeles, showing him the world of street justice, corruption, and danger.
Alonzo isn’t just regular bad—he’s ruthless, operating like a medieval warlord shaking down his serfs. From forcing Jake to smoke laced pot to beating rapists instead of arresting them, his actions scream a man who believes the law has no place in his world. Jake, meanwhile, is a cop who dreams of a better life for his family.
Bruce was offered the role of Alonzo Harris. It’s hard to imagine anyone but Denzel Washington in this Oscar-winning role, but Bruce turning it down is one of Hollywood’s biggest“what ifs.”Would Bruce have brought the same level of intimidation and depth? Maybe, but it’s unlikely he’d have matched Denzel’s magnetic performance.
4Man on Fire (2004)
Based on A.J. Quinnell’s novel,Man on Firebases itself on the rampant kidnappings in Latin America. Denzel Washington delivers a riveting performance as John Creasy, a former CIA operative battling inner demons and a troubled past. Hired as a bodyguard for a young girl named Pita, Creasy initially struggles to connect. Over time, her warmth and innocence break through his hardened exterior.
Bruce was initially considered for the role of Creasy, the burned-out bodyguard seeking revenge. The part ultimately went to Denzel Washington (again). By that time, Willis had already played tough, grizzled heroes in movies likeThe Last Boy Scout, so it’s easy to see why he was in the running.
3Ghost (1990)
Timing is everything in Hollywood. Back in 1988, Bruce Willis was fresh off his TV success onMoonlighting. So when 20th Century Fox cast him as the lead inDie Hard—an R-rated action movie that seemed tailor-made for Stallone or Schwarzenegger—people were skeptical. But more strangely, Willis was considered forGhost.
In a1996Playboyinterview, he admitted he had passed on the romantic thriller. Bruce turned down the lead role of Sam Wheat, a man roaming the afterlife to protect the love of his life. He didn’t believe a romantic ghost story would work on screen. He would say,
How about ‘Ghost?’ Knucklehead Bruce Willis. I just didn’t get it. I said, ‘Hey, the guy’s dead. How are you gonna have a romance?’ Famous last words. But I don’t regret it, because it just doesn’t matter. It’s down the road, under the bridge.
The role went toPatrick Swayze, whose heartfelt sincerity paired perfectly with Whoopi Goldberg andDemi Moore.
2Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
Bruce Willis was riding high heading into 2001. After a rough patch withLast Man Standingin 1996, he bounced back with an incredible run. But the streak ended withBandits, a mildly charming caper comedy. It, however, didn’t have to go down that way. Willis could’ve kept it going if he’d accepted a key role in Steven Soderbergh’sOcean’s Eleven.
In a 2007 Q&A onAin’t It Cool News, Willis admitted his regret, “I wish I had played the role of Terry Benedict in Ocean’s Eleven. I wanted to work with George Clooney… but the Terry Benedict role wasn’t finished yet, so I passed. Another bad choice, but Andy Garcia did a great job with it, and the rest is history.“
He eventually made a cameo in Ocean’s Twelve, but it’s not quite the same as trading quips with Danny Ocean and his‘whatever number’of peeps.
1John Wick (2014)
It’s hard to picture anyone butKeanu Reevesas John Wick. But what if John Wick had been played by Bruce Willis? In an interview withThe Hollywood Reporterfor the franchise’s tenth anniversary, producer David Leitch revealed that Willis was initially attached to the project before it landed with Reeves. Leitch and director Chad Stahelski, both familiar with Reeves fromThe Matrix, considered Willis before shifting gears. Imagining a 59-year-old Willis taking on the role paints a very different picture of the franchise.
Willis, fresh offSin City: A Dame to Kill For, could have brought more vulnerable Wick. His physicality at the time wasn’t as sharp as Reeves’, meaning the fights might’ve felt less polished but more desperate. Still, Keanu’s precision and stoic intensity defined the series.
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Bruce Willis also turned down roles inOnce Upon a Time in Mexico(Sands),Get Shorty(Chili Palmer), andThe English Patient(David Caravaggio). He may have a few regrets, but let’s not forget the roles he did take on. For now, we’ll just have to settle for what we got (which is pretty good)—and wonder what might’ve been.
Jayant Chhabra
Articles Published :123
Jayant Chhabra is a long-form writer and Creative Producer, who has worked with several renowned publications and production houses. Yet, there’s more to Jayant than meets the word count. You’ll find him cheering for the Red Devils, trying to produce music, or yet again being enamoured by the countless films, essays, and books that he holds close to his heart.
