Bruce Willis Sues Over Film Mishap

NOVEMBER 22--Claiming that he has suffered "substantial injuries"--both mental and physical--as a result of a movie set accident, Bruce Willis has filed a negligence lawsuit against a major Hollywood studio, The Smoking Gun has learned. According to a Los Angeles Superior Court complaint filed last month, Willis was injured in October 2002 while filming "Tears of the Sun," a Revolution Studios production co-starring Monica Bellucci. In his complaint, a copy of which you'll find below, Willis, 49, states that he was struck in the forehead by a "projectile" after the film's special effects personnel detonated pyrotechnic devices known as "squibs." The explosions were intended to "simulate the appearance of bullets striking the ground," a necessity in a film that featured Willis as a Special Operations commander leading a dangerous Nigerian jungle rescue. While not further identifying the projectile or the specific nature of Willis's injuries, the lawsuit contends that the star suffered "extreme mental, physical, and emotional pain and suffering" as a result of the pyro mishap. In addition, the Willis complaint does not specify exact monetary damages, but notes that he "was required to and did employ physicians and other medical personnel" and will incur additional future medical expenses. Willis, described in the lawsuit as a "universally known motion picture star and celebrity" who has "received critical acclaim for his performances in television programs and motion pictures," also named as a defendant Joe Pancake, who was credited as a special effects foreman on "Tears of the Sun." Revolution, founded in May 2000 by Hollywood power Joe Roth, has produced hits like "XXX" and "Anger Management," and the megabomb "Gigli." (7 pages)