Digital twin: the surprising strategy of Bruce Willis to continue to appear on the screen

Solène Delinger 11:59 a.m., September 30, 2022

A shock wave in the world of the seventh art.

On March 30, 2022, Emma Heming Willis, the wife of Bruce Willis, announced on Instagram the end of her husband's career, at 67.

Suffering from aphasia, a language disorder that can have serious consequences on communication, memory and understanding, the Hollywood star was indeed forced to retire. 

The creation of a digital double

Since his diagnosis in 2018, Bruce Willis has starred in 22 films.

But, his screen presence was minimal due to his health issues.

The actor even had to resolve to abandon his action scenes in favor of his official understudy for 17 years, Stuart F. Wilson.

And, much more surprisingly, Bruce Willis authorized the creation of his digital double for use in films, the British daily 

Remember, last year, the actor had participated in a Russian advertisement, using deepfake technology: we heard his voice well and we recognized his face on the screen but it was not him, he was actually played by another comedian.

A "great opportunity"

Bruce Willis has therefore just signed a contract with Deepcake, the company which made it possible to create this advertisement thanks to these new technologies.

"I love how accurately my character has been portrayed," Bruce Willis said in a statement when the ad was released.

"For me, it's a great opportunity to go back to the past. With new technologies, even if I'm on another continent, I can work and participate in the filming. It's a new and interesting experience. I thank all the team," he said.

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