Director Lehmann and screenwriter Waters faced the tumultuous process of filming with the famous star Bruce Willis, who also served as a producer on the project. Despite the difficulties, they strived to preserve the film’s unique, zany quality. Willis pitched some offbeat ideas, which were challenging to integrate. Among these was having the main character be accompanied by a monkey named “Little Eddie,” a suggestion Lehmann knew could complicate an already challenging and costly undertaking.
Eventually, they found middle ground by creating a backstory for the character George Kaplan—a nefarious CIA operative played by James Coburn—wherein Kaplan supposedly had eliminated “Little Eddie.” This narrative tweak circumvented the need to include the monkey physically in the movie. When watching “Hudson Hawk,” viewers can catch a glimpse of Little Eddie’s impact: at a crucial moment in the film, a photograph of Little Eddie is taped to Kaplan’s forehead during his defeat, which can be seen in the scene where Kaplan falls on the limousine.
FAQ Section
- What was the name of the box office flop starring Bruce Willis?
The film was called “Hudson Hawk.” - Who was the director of “Hudson Hawk”?
The director was Michael Lehmann. - Why was Bruce Willis’ suggestion for his character considered odd?
Willis wanted to include a monkey sidekick for his character, which was deemed impractical for the over-budget film. - Who was George Kaplan in “Hudson Hawk”?
George Kaplan was a character portrayed by James Coburn, who was depicted as a villainous CIA operative. - What was the compromise involving the monkey character?
A backstory was created to suggest that George Kaplan had killed the monkey, which allowed the film to reference the character without physically including it.
Conclusion
The story behind the production of “Hudson Hawk” showcases the challenges encountered when balancing creative visions with production realities. Despite the hurdles and its status as a misunderstood flop that threatened Bruce Willis’ career, “Hudson Hawk” remains an interesting piece of cinema trivia. Bruce Willis’ unorthodox proposals, like the inclusion of “Little Eddie,” reflect his willingness to take risks, even if they don’t always pay off. The film, with its behind-the-scenes compromise and unique execution, has left an imprint on Hollywood’s storied past of boisterous but ultimately unsuccessful cinematic endeavors.