MGM / UA Bruce Willis plays a colonel at a German POW camp during WWII in "Hart's War."

‘Die Hard’ vet taking it easy...
but he'll get a workout when
he arrives on Oahu

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By Tim Ryan
tryan@starbulletin.com

Revolution Studios' action film, tentatively titled "Man of War," will be no walk on the beach for Bruce Willis or five other actors portraying Navy SEALs.

The six actors, including co-star Cole Hauser, already are undergoing daily physical training in California and will begin military training at an Oahu base when they arrive here in about two weeks for three months of filming.

"We're filming in Hawaii because of its natural beauty, although inherent with such beauty is the difficulty of accessing and working at such locations," said production manager Steve Saeta. "The nature of our film requires the actors portraying SEALs to be in top condition."

The film is about a Special Forces unit led by Willis that is sent to Africa to retrieve a doctor (played by "Malena" star Monica Bellucci) doing humanitarian work in a village before the civil war reaches her. Once they arrive, the woman refuses to leave unless the 40 villagers are evacuated with her.

Hauser, who plays Atkins, a cocky young soldier, just finished Warner Bros.' "White Oleander"; his other films include "Pitch Black" and "Good Will Hunting."

He and Willis worked together on the MGM film "Hart's War." Remaining co-stars haven't been cast.

The "Man of War" moniker has been dropped temporarily because another studio registered the title.

Construction in a Kualoa Ranch valley began Feb. 11 and so far includes a large church, kitchen and medical tent.

The production already has hired 25 isle IATSE Local 665 members to build sets, landscape, paint and plaster at Kualoa, said Scott Wong, the union's business agent.

The crew from Hawaii and Los Angeles to be hired may number as many as 175, though that number will drop as sets are completed, Saeta said.

The crew hired here "are working out extremely well," said Saeta, production manager on "Spider-Man," "Almost Famous" and "Force of Nature."

Hiring is continuing for a variety of jobs, including a few head positions like high tech and pyrotechnics.

The production is renting the Hawaii Film Studio's original sound stage -- commonly called the "Hawaii Five-O Stage" -- to build sets; the newer, 16,000-square-foot Stage 2 may be divided for sets and production office space. The Film Studio's office cottages will be used when Imagine Entertainment's "Surf Girls" production moves out next week.

"Man of War" reportedly will cost $70 million to $75 million, which doesn't include Willis' fee, said to be as much as $25 million.

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