TriStar Pictures witnessed Bruce Willis on a remarkable run in the early 2000s. The star had a knack for staying busy, with a mix of hits and misses. After a few setbacks, he achieved four consecutive box-office smashes with "The Fifth Element", "Armageddon", "The Sixth Sense", and "Unbreakable". But what if it could have been five?

Uncovering the Missed Opportunity for Bruce Willis

TriStar Pictures and Willis' Early 2000s Successes

Bruce Willis was on a bit of a roll heading into 2001. He had a habit of keeping himself occupied, which led to a combination of successful films and a few duds. However, after the disappointment of "Last Man Standing" in 1996 (excluding the animated hit "Beavis and Butt-Head Do America"), he had four consecutive years of box-office success. "The Fifth Element" grossed $264 million worldwide, "Armageddon" made $554 million WW, "The Sixth Sense" earned $673 million WW, and "Unbreakable" brought in $248 million WW. It was a remarkable streak. 2: This string of successes showed Willis' box-office appeal and his ability to attract audiences. His films became cultural phenomena, and he became one of the most recognizable stars in Hollywood. His on-screen presence and charisma drew people to the theaters, making him a force to be reckoned with.

Barry Levinson's "Bandits" and the End of the Streak

In 2001, Willis had one film on his slate, Barry Levinson's caper comedy "Bandits". Co-starring Billy Bob Thornton and Cate Blanchett, it was a decent enough movie that managed to gross $67 million globally. However, this fell short of the film's budget of $75 million, which was a disappointment. This marked the end of Willis' hot streak, but it didn't have to be that way. 2: If Willis had not turned down a lucrative offer to appear in a star-studded movie with George Clooney and other movie stars, he could have continued his winning streak into 2002. It was a missed opportunity that could have changed the course of his career.

Warner Bros and Willis' Regrets

In a 2007 Q&A at Ain't It Cool News, Bruce Willis was asked if he regretted turning down any movies. He revealed that he passed on the Patrick Swayze role in "Ghost" (opposite his wife Demi Moore). But he also discussed the mistake that affected his 2001. He said, "I wish I had played the role of Terry Benedict in ['Ocean's Eleven']. I wanted to work with George Clooney and thought I might only have one chance. But when I read the script, the Terry Benedict role wasn't finalized, so I passed on it. It was a bad choice, but Andy Garcia did a great job." 2: Willis' decision to turn down the role was a significant one. Considering his previous success, he didn't need "Ocean's Eleven" to continue his career. But the thought of facing off against Clooney in a movie would have been an exciting prospect. It would have been a clash of movie star styles that fans would have loved to see.

Willis' Cameo in "Ocean's Twelve" and the Heist-Happy Orbit

Willis did get the opportunity to enter Clooney's heist-happy orbit through a cameo as himself in "Ocean's Twelve". While it was a small role, it was a sign that he was still part of the Hollywood scene. As for the hot streak, perhaps shooting "Ocean's Eleven" would have kept him from having a mediocre 2002 with "Hart's War" and the production-delayed "Tears of the Sun". But it's pointless to second-guess Willis. We were lucky to have him on our screens for as long as we did. 2: Willis' career is a testament to his talent and longevity in Hollywood. He has left an indelible mark on the industry and will always be remembered as one of the greats. His decisions and choices have shaped his career, and while there may have been missed opportunities, he has still had a remarkable journey.