Even though Hollywood is known for its magic of filmmaking, some of the most well-known and prosperous works frequently undergo vicious behind-the-scenes activities. One such incident happened when Bruce Willis and Michael Bay collaborated on the science fiction 1998 film Armageddon.
The former actor, who announced his retirement on March 30, 2022, has consistently delivered some of the best and most financially successful movies in the business and worked with many actors and directors. But it seems there are a few people he did not get along with.
Willis even openly admitted to never working with his Armageddon director, Michael Bay.
Bruce Willis
The 1998 film also starred Billy Bob Thornton, Ben Affleck, and Liv Tyler, among others.
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Bruce Willis Can’t Work With Michael Bay Again After Armageddon
When we hear the name Michael Bay, we immediately think of thrilling action scenes and stunning special effects. He has worked with some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, including Bruce Willis. However, very few people are aware of the contentious relationship between these two cinematic giants.
Before Megan Fox famously clashed with Bay on the set of the Transformers film series, it was Willis who vowed never to work with him again. Although the 1998 film Armageddon did well at the box office, tensions between Willis and Bay grew during its making.
Bruce Willis
In 2007, Willis posted on the forums of the movie discussion website, Ain’t it Cool News (via Rotten Tomatoes), first anonymously and then after disclosing his identity. He was promoting his fourth Die Hard film (Live Free or Die Hard). In doing so, he mocked Michael Bay.
“[Michael Bay] would have ruined DH4. Few people will work with him now, and I know I will never work with him again.”
Later, the Sunset actor clarified that while he enjoyed working with the crew and his fellow actors, it was Bay who contributed to the negative experience:
“A screaming Director does not make for a pleasant set experience.”
Moreover, Willis was initially put off by Bay’s antics as he previously stated to Rotten Tomatoes:
“I don’t have any regrets. I don’t have any regrets. What I say is what I say, I don’t always say the right thing, I don’t always say the politically correct thing…but yeah, I don’t have any regrets about that.”
Bruce Willis in a still from Armageddon
He was not the only actor who detested working with the director, though. This sentiment was also shared by Megan Fox.
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Megan Fox Clarified Why She Hated Working With Michael Bay
Megan Fox‘s appearance in the Michael Bay Transformers films immediately made her a household name, capturing the attention of viewers worldwide.
However, as Bay and Fox continued to collaborate on the numerous sequels to the 2007 smash hit Transformers, their working relationship eventually soured. And before Transformers: Dark of the Moon was filmed, the actress voiced concerns about the director’s working methods.
Michael Bay
In an interview with Wonderland magazine, Fox was asked about her relationship with the director.
“He’s like Napoleon and he wants to create this insane, infamous mad man reputation. He wants to be like Hitler on his sets, and he is”.
Before criticizing him for his directing style, the actress told the publication that Bay’s instructions frequently amounted to “Be hot”:
“Not to Michael Bay because those are literally his directions some times. ‘Be Hot.’ I’ve had that note on set before. ‘Mike,’ I’ll say, ‘Who am I talking to? Where am I supposed to be looking at?’ And he responds, ‘Just be s*xy.’ I get mad when people talk to me like that. Then again, audiences don’t come to Transformers to see us.”
Megan Fox
Meanwhile, Michael Bay vehemently addressed Fox’s critics in 2011 by making the following statement to GQ magazine:
“I wasn’t hurt, because I know that’s just Megan. Megan loves to get a response”.
He continued, seemingly mocking Fox’s complaints with sarcasm, saying;
“I’m sorry, Megan. I’m sorry I made you work twelve hours. I’m sorry that I’m making you show up on time. Movies are not always warm and fuzzy”.
Megan Fox in Transformers
We last saw Fox in Expend4bles (also known as The Expendables 4), the follow-up to The Expendables 3 (2014). It was the fourth entry in The Expendables movie series, which was directed by Scott Waugh.
You can stream Armageddon on Max.
