During a candid interview with Variety Fair, Joseph Gordon-Levitt took a nostalgic journey through his career, sharing a heartwarming anecdote about a former co-star, Bruce Willis. Reflecting on their time together on the set of the action-packed film “Looper,” Gordon-Levitt recounted a touching compliment he received from the iconic Die Hard star.
Directed by Rian Johnson, “Looper” follows the tale of a time-travelling assassin who confronts a version of himself. Gordon-Levitt and Willis portray the same character at different stages of life, presenting a unique challenge due to their contrasting appearances. However, Gordon-Levitt fully embraced his role as Willis’s younger counterpart, earning praise from the seasoned actor.
Recalling a pivotal scene where their characters engage in a heated confrontation, Gordon-Levitt revealed a subtle yet profound moment of validation from Willis. “There was another scene later in the movie where we were yelling at each other. I don’t know if Bruce did this on purpose or if he did it unintentionally, but it was kind of the highest compliment he could pay me,” Gordon-Levitt shared. “It was right after they said ‘cut,’ he was turning away and walking back to his mark. He didn’t even say it to me; he just kind of said to himself, ‘Sounds like me.'”
Gordon-Levitt’s elation at Willis’s acknowledgment was palpable. “And I just turned to myself and went, ‘Fucking yes!'” he exclaimed. “I think knowing him, that was really his ultra-generous way of paying me a compliment, but it was very kind to do it in that way.”
The tender moment shared between Gordon-Levitt and Willis takes on added poignancy in light of Willis’s recent announcement of retirement following his aphasia diagnosis. Their bond, captured in this anecdote, serves as a reminder of the unlikely collaborations that may never come to fruition again, imbuing their shared memories with a bittersweet nostalgia.
