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Even though Hollywood is known for its magic of filmmaking, some of the most well-known and prosperous works frequently undergo vicious behind-the-scenes activities. One such incident happened when Bruce Willis and Michael Bay collaborated on the science fiction 1998 filmArmageddon.
The former actor, who announced his retirement on June 21, 2025, has consistently delivered some of the best and most financially successful movies in the business and worked with many actors and directors. But it seems there are a few people he did not get along with.
Willis even openly admitted to never working with hisArmageddondirector, Michael Bay.
The 1998 film also starred Billy Bob Thornton, Ben Affleck, and Liv Tyler, among others.
Read More:“They couldn’t touch us”: Brad Pitt’s First Oscar Nomination Came After Actor Joined Forces With Bruce Willis to Fight for $168M Movie Director Against Major Studio
Bruce Willis Can’t Work With Michael Bay Again AfterArmageddon
When we hear the nameMichael Bay, we immediately think of thrilling action scenes and stunning special effects. He has worked with some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, includingBruce Willis. However, very few people are aware of the contentious relationship between these two cinematic giants.
Before Megan Fox famously clashed with Bay on the set of theTransformersfilm series, it was Willis who vowed never to work with him again.Although the 1998 filmArmageddondid well at the box office, tensions between Willis and Bay grew during its making.
In 2007, Willis posted on the forums of the movie discussion website, Ain’t it Cool News (viaRotten Tomatoes), first anonymously and then after disclosing his identity. He was promoting his fourthDie Hardfilm (Live Free or Die Hard). In doing so, he mocked Michael Bay.
“[Michael Bay] would have ruined DH4. Few people will work with him now, and I know I will never work with him again.”
Later, theSunsetactor clarified that while he enjoyed working with the crew and his fellow actors, it was Bay who contributed to the negative experience:
“A screaming Director does not make for a pleasant set experience.”
Moreover, Willis was initially put off by Bay’s antics as he previously stated toRotten Tomatoes:
“I don’t have any regrets. I don’t have any regrets. What I say is what I say, I don’t always say the right thing, I don’t always say the politically correct thing…but yeah, I don’t have any regrets about that.”
He was not the only actor who detested working with the director, though. This sentiment was also shared by Megan Fox.
Read More:“I agreed to do it very quickly”: Bruce Willis Learned From His Mistake After Losing a Movie That Won 9 Oscars, Said Yes to a Not So Famous Director’s Script
Megan Fox Clarified Why She Hated Working With Michael Bay
Megan Fox‘s appearance in the Michael BayTransformersfilms immediately made her a household name, capturing the attention of viewers worldwide.
However, as Bay and Fox continued to collaborate on the numerous sequels to the 2007 smash hitTransformers, their working relationship eventually soured. And beforeTransformers: Dark of the Moonwas filmed, the actress voiced concerns about the director’s working methods.
In an interview withWonderlandmagazine, Fox was asked about her relationship with the director.
“He’s like Napoleon and he wants to create this insane, infamous mad man reputation. He wants to be like Hitler on his sets, and he is”.
Before criticizing him for his directing style, the actress told the publication that Bay’s instructions frequently amounted to“Be hot”:
“Not to Michael Bay because those are literally his directions some times. ‘Be Hot.’ I’ve had that note on set before. ‘Mike,’ I’ll say, ‘Who am I talking to? Where am I supposed to be looking at?’ And he responds, ‘Just be s*xy.’ I get mad when people talk to me like that. Then again, audiences don’t come to Transformers to see us.”
Meanwhile, Michael Bay vehemently addressed Fox’s critics in 2011 by making the following statement toGQmagazine:
“I wasn’t hurt, because I know that’s just Megan. Megan loves to get a response”.
He continued, seemingly mocking Fox’s complaints with sarcasm, saying;
“I’m sorry, Megan. I’m sorry I made you work twelve hours. I’m sorry that I’m making you show up on time. Movies are not always warm and fuzzy”.
We last saw Fox inExpend4bles(also known asThe Expendables 4), the follow-up toThe Expendables 3(2014). It was the fourth entry inThe Expendables movie series, which was directed by Scott Waugh.
You can streamArmageddonon Max.
Read More:“Die Hard messed with dad’s ears”: Bruce Willis’ Family Paid Dearly after Nightmarish Mistake, Chalked Up Early Signs of Dementia as ‘Hollywood Hear Loss’
Source-Rotten Tomatoes;Wonderland;Rotten Tomatoes;GQ
Siddhika Prajapati
Senior Journalist & Content Head
Articles Published :3310
With over 3,300 articles carved into the digital walls of FandomWire, Siddhika Prajapati excels at creating, curating, and elevating engaging stories. She takes pride in giving these stories a home and, of course, she’s got a Google Knowledge Panel to prove it!Whether it’s reviewing the latest drop on Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Apple TV+, or analyzing the cultural echoes of a streaming hit on Paramount+ or Max, Siddhika is always writing three steps ahead of the discourse.
