Willis, Stallone, Arnie... the day we thought would never come
The three biggest action stars of the 80's and 90's finally shot their scene together for The Expendables on Saturday.
For action film geeks the world over Saturday 24th October will be remembered as a holy day indeed. The setting quite fittingly was a church. God had brought together the icons that are Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone to shoot what will no doubt become a legendary scene of pop culture cinema for The Expendables, a movie described as "a home coming of tough guys". Even if it seems no action actually took place and in the end it was just a dialogue scene, but oh well. It's still just about the coolest thing that has happened this year.
I arrived at the location around 6:15am and Bruce and Sly were inside the church running lines. Arnold pulled up about 20 minutes later I walked to the set with him and watched as the 3 guys greeted each other with excitement and anticipation. Pretty cool stuff. Bruce looked amazing very fit, beautiful bald head and that smirky smile. Sly looked relaxed but definitely ready to put this puppy to bed. Arnold had a stogie in his mouth, a giant watch on his arm and was constantly making jokes. I introduced him to Daniel Bertorelli, Slys stand-in from Brazil who became part of The Expendables family Arnold told him he was happy to meet someone else with an accent! Quite a few members of the original crew were there including Lighting god and all around cool kat DP Jeffrey Kimball and his A+ camera team, Nicole and Scott (hair & Make-up), photog Karen Ballard, Liz the costume designer and Mustaffa, Slys wardrobe guy along with Slys team, Kevin King and the fabulously chic Celeste. Arnold had Greg Hall, who worked with him on every film since Kindergarden Cop, as his wardrobe person and his longtime friend, Dieter Rauter, doing double duty as stand-in and videographer. Legendary publicist Paul Bloch and the always delightful Steven Eads were with Bruce. We also had director john Herzfeld shooting behind the scenes for the documentary hes doing on Sly and the making of The Expendables. Producer Jerry Weintraub stopped by as did Dodgers manager Joe Torre who was with Slys brother-in-law the famous surgeon who operated on Tom Brady (sorry brain spasm cant remember his name). Other than that we had no looky-loos or prazzi. I was, however, amused by the guy who drove by as the 3 guys were walking to their trailers he almost fell out of his carnice. After Arnold, Bruce and Sly went through the scene a couple of times they all 3 headed off to wardrobe and make-up. at 8:10am with three cameras rolling the biggest action icons of our time went to work. I thought it was electric in Brazil when all of The Expendables stepped on set but today was atomic!!!! the whole crew was mesmerized as we watched the three of them play off of each other in a pivotal scene that sets up the whole movie. And while I cant/dont want to give too much away I can tell you that Arnolds character is Trench and Bruce is Church, the scene was shot in an empty church without extras and minimal set dec and it has tension and humor what more can a girl ask for! Sly was in top form as a director today and was in total command. Bruce and Arnold were consummate professionals at all times we got through the scene quickly without compromise. In 6 hours we did wide shots, close-ups, turned aroundthe whole nine yardspretty impressive. Very Clint Eastwood. With the EPK cameras rolling the three of them talked to me about working together for the first time and it is very funnycant wait to see that piece of footage land somewhere! Karen Ballard also took some great shots we are going to release a shot as soon as we go through the approval process which is why I am not posting anything today. But I will have it posted as soon as we release it. And then before you know itit was over. When Sly called wrap the crew spontaneously broke into applause while the three guys stood together for some photos. Then they took shots with some of us SWEEEET. But then they were gone. Bruce took off for the airport and Arnold, Sly, Avi and a few of us headed off to Caffe Roma for lunch. It was pretty cool stuff. As we left the restaurant TMZ as always was waiting outside along with about 6 other prazzo. Arnold got into his car, Sly into his and the whole day became a memory. so thats it folks. I wont have much to say about The Expendables until early May when we might be brewing up something very cool for Cannes. Other than that, today was amazing the whole ride has been amazing and remember you dont need a gun to be a badass!!