John Travolta and Bruce Willis Will Co-Star In New Movie 27 Years After 'Pulp Fiction'

May 17, 2021

Back in 1994, beloved Hollywood actors John Travolta and Bruce Willis starred in the cult-favorite film, 'Pulp Fiction.' Directed by Quentin Tarantino, the film is beloved by Willis, Travolta, and Tarantino fans alike. The neo-noir black comedy crime film was typical Tarantino with its level of action and fighting scenes as it told multiple storylines of characters involved in Los Angeles crime. With a plethora of pop-culture touchstones, the film was well-received by critics and was even dubbed one of the most influential films of the 1990s.

John Travolta and Bruce Willis have also co-starred in 1989's 'Look Who's Talking' and 1990's 'Look Who's Talking Too.' However, both actors are probably more famous for films they did without one another. Travolta is beloved for his role as high school heartthrob 'Danny' in 'Grease,' while Willis is known for his role as an NYPD police officer in 'Die Hard.' 
In total, Bruce Willis has 12 awards related to his acting, as well as his comedy, including Golden Globes, Blockbuster Entertainment Awards, and a People's Choice award. Travolta has a total of 15 awards related to movies and TV, as well as a music award, the June Award for International Single of the Year in 1979. Needless to say, these two actors are seasoned actors themselves alone, but now they are ready to get back together on the big screen again.

Now, 27 years after 'Pulp Fiction,' the two starts are reunited once again as they will co-star in the upcoming movie 'Paradise City.' 

Read on to learn more about the new film, when it's expected to start production. 

John Travolta and Bruce Willis both gave dynamic and intense displays of good acting in the film 'Pulp Fiction.' Although the two ended up playing two different characters in the movie, Willis initially wanted to play Travolta's role of Vincent Vega. According to an interview with the cast and producers by Vanity Fair, filmmaker Mike Simpson said:

"Daniel Day-Lewis and Bruce Willis, who was the biggest star in Hollywood, had both gotten their hands on the script and wanted to play Vincent Vega."

Despite not getting the role he originally wanted, Willis wanted to be a part of the film, regardless of the fact that it might not bring him as much money as 'Die Hard' did. According to Vanity Fair, Willis was a massive fan of Quentin Tarantino's film 'Resevoir Dogs' and still says "it was so far ahead of anything." 

However, the same interview revealed that Willis was initially disappointed that he didn't get the role, due to Travolta. Willis said:

"What? I'm not going to play the lead? I'm going to be bound up by some hillbilly in a pawnshop so that John Travolta can be the lead?"

Despite Willis not playing the lead, director Tarantino himself said it was integral to the film to have Willis as a part of the cast. Tarantino said:

"Bruce Willis made us legit. Reservoir Dogs did fantastic internationally, so everyone was waiting for my new movie."

In the Vanity Fair interview, Travolta talked about how he had to convince Tarantino to let him give the character of Vincent Vega his signature hair, as he said:

"Euro haircut...He [Tarantino] was hesitant, and I said, 'Please at least look at me in this,' and I got the hair extensions and I worked on the do...That just killed it." 

Now Willis and Travolta are reuniting again, 27 years after 'Pulp Fiction,' to work on a new film 'Paradise City.' 

While Travolta has been more involved in family affairs, he was recently featured in a Superbowl ad with his daughter Ella Bleu, as they recreate the famous 'Hand Jive' dance from 'Grease.' Travolta told Esquire Spain:

"It was magic, because there is no one else in the world whom I would want to dance with than my daughter, Ella. It worked on so many levels. First, as a great piece of entertainment that people enjoyed. Second, it allowed me to introduce my daughter on a huge platform, show her talent, her beauty, and also it was a beautiful tribute for her mother [the late Kelly Preston]."

In the interview, Travolta talked about what kind of future work he wanted to do:

"I'm very selective right now because I have the privilege to be so. I'm just figuring out what's next. The best thing I can do is try to get to the point in my life that allows me to be able to enjoy it, experiment with dance and music, and enjoy other people's company."

Now, Travolta and Willis are both ready to start filming a new film together. According to Deadline, the movie features Willis as a bounty hunter searching for crime kingpin Travolta in Hawaii. Thai model and actress Praya Lundberg will play the female lead role in the film. Lundberg received the title of Southeast Asia's first UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador in 2017 and is probably most known for the TV show 'Strange Girl in a Strange Land'.

According to Deadline, the film production is supposed to start on Monday, May 17, in Maui, Hawaii. 

What do you think of Travolta and Willis doing another movie together? Will you be watching for the release date? Let us know your thoughts, and be sure to pass this on to other Travolta and Willis fans you know!