Bruce Willis Wants To "Live Free"

Actor Reprises Role As John McClane In "Live Free Or Die Hard"

(CBS)  Bruce Willis became one of film's most iconic action heroes when he played New York cop John McClane in 1988's "Die Hard." Now, 12 years after the third installment of the series, he is back in "Live Free or Die Hard," trying to foil a high-tech plot to shut down the entire United States.

It's no surprise that the franchise keeps going, the "Die Hard" movies have made more than $1 billion. But Willis said his motivation was the script and the story.

"It continued to change," he told The Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith. "It certainly had to be brought into the 21st century, the whole concept of the film. And it has to compete, you know? There's so many films out there that have to compete with TV now. I mean, '24' is a great action TV series — on all the time. That does great big stunts, great big crazy things all the time."

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Photos: "Die Hard 4.0"

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Willis, 52, made his film debut opposite Kim Basinger in "Blind Date." Now he is one of Hollywood's most sought after actors. And despite his age, he says he was still able to do many of the stunts the movie required.

"It's hard getting up — just as easy to jump out of the car, jump off things. It's the getting up part," he said.

Perhaps Willis is just as famous for his family as he is for the movies he has made. He is divorced from actress Demi Moore with whom he has three daughters. Moore, 45, is now married to 29-year-old actor Ashton Kutcher and Willis spends a good deal of time with the couple.

"It's really easy. Just put the kids first, you know?" he said. "We just — just hang out with the kids. And that's the job — I mean, you know, grown-ups are — we pretty much, we got it figured out."

Willis has also spent a lot of time visiting with Iraq war veterans hospitalized at Walter Reed — men and women he calls the real heroes.

"These, you know, men and women who are asked to, you know, sometimes make the ultimate sacrifice, should have films made about them," he said. "They should be taken care of, you know, by the government."

[sumlikeitnot]

Hey "sarahboltGA" you are allowed one "F" word in a PG-13. No "curtailing" need. By the way the movie was edited for a PG-13, expect an "Unrated Edition" on DVD. The movie is fine without it.

[uradufuss]

In my opinion Willis needs to put a wig on, and retro a little for his next Die Hard movie. That skin-head cut doesn't do too much for me. I liked him better in the first one ---before he got the notion that he was the next Steven Seagal.

[caykasagi]

May the gods of crystal meth be with you, bruce!!!

[sarahboltga]

A lot of critics are upset that this installment has earned a PG13 rating and has curtailed its use of the "F" word and toned down the bloody violence.. but you know what- I say- WAY TO GO BRUCE! He's been on a different kick these days (kids movies, cleaner language in his adult movies)- it may not be intentional but he's showing that gratuity does not necessarily a good movie make. Personally- if you want gore and language- see Hostel or any of those stupid teenage horror flicks that are over-sexed and under-talented. Whatever happened to being able to make a really good movie without needing to do everything over-the-top? You know, its a rare occasion that I hear Harrison Ford dropping the f-bomb and look at all the killer action flicks he's done!
So who cares that "yippe-ki-ya..." got clipped.. we all know the line. Its the nostalgia- not the "mother-f'er" that's important. Besides- if you really love Bruce/John- how can you hate on him for making a movie his kids could watch?