MEXICO: Bruce Willis attends premiere of "Over the Hedge" in Mexico City

Record ID: 302474

  • Title: MEXICO: Bruce Willis attends premiere of "Over the Hedge" in Mexico City
  • Date: 21st June 2006
  • Summary: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO (JUNE 19, 2006) (REUTERS) WIDE SHOT OF THE NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRUCE WILLIS, ACTOR, SAYING: "I have been very fortunate in my career. I have been very lucky to be asked to appear in all kinds of films, big films, big action films, and little dramas, wonderful films like Over the Hedge." TV CAMERAS (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRUCE WILLIS, A
  • Embargoed: 6th July 2006 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Mexico
  • Country: Mexico
  • Reuters ID: LVA31GYGYDWRN41CJ3P68RY4O5D1
  • Story Text: U.S. actor Bruce Willis arrived in Mexico City on Monday (June 19) for the premiere of his film 'Over the Hedge', an animated production from DreamWorks. The actor, best known for playing John McClane in the 'Die Hard" movies, switches his hard-man demeanour to play the voice of a carefree racoon called RJ in this latest project.
    Willis was joined by the film's producer Jeffrey Katzenberg at a news conference before the premiere. Katzenberg explained that 'Over the Hedge' was a very different movie to its DreamWorks predecessor, Madagascar, despite using animals once again.
    "I think this movie is quite different from Madagascar," he said.
    According to Willis, 'Over the Hedge' is about pure entertainment, and is created to make people laugh rather than to transmit any particular message.
    "This movie is just to make people laugh and be entertaining. There's a message in there of family and friendship and fraternity. I think those things are good but the most important thing it is trying to do is to make people laugh," he said.
    The movie tells the story of a number of animals led by a mischievous racoon who go looking for food in a suburban sprawl that crops up while they are hibernating.
    Willis, who has played a number of action roles over his lengthy career, said he was lucky to have had a chance to work in such a variety of movies.
    "I have been very fortunate in my career. I have been very lucky to be asked to appear in all kinds of big films, big action films, and little dramas, wonderful films like Over the Hedge," he said.
    And the actor and ex-husband of actress Demi Moore made fun of his reputation of being tough with journalists.
    "You know I love the press. It's a myth that I have any problem with press. I get along pretty great. I love them. They come over to the house, they take pictures of me, we have a little party, it's just wonderful," he said.
    Some 7,000 people turned up to attend the movie premiere, where Willis greeted fans and joked with journalists.
    Joining Willis in the cast for 'Over the Hedge' are Gary Shandling, Steve Carell, Wanda Sykes, William Shatner, Nick Nolte and singer Avril Lavigne.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register