Bruce Willis slows traffic as filming continues on ‘Die Hard’

BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Only die-hard traffic lovers will find traveling through Baltimore’s downtown business district thrilling this week, as filming continues on the latest installment in the “Die Hard” series.

During the past several days, Hollywood superstar Bruce Willis and company have been shooting the film in and around downtown, drawing rave reviews from city residents and downtown workers.

“It’s cool. I think it’s great that they are shooting here,” said Baltimore native Trevor Bess, who works across the street from the filming location on Calvert Street. “It doesn’t seem to be affecting traffic too bad, so I think it’s great. It’s great for Baltimore.”

As Willis walked down Fayette Street, dozens of teens began screaming and cheering the actor.

The movie, even though it’s being filmed in Baltimore, has a storyline that is centered in Washington, D.C.

Hannah Byron, director of the division of film, video and television for the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts, said Baltimore often is a stand-in for the nation’s capital in movies, adding that it works well for both cities.

While it is often difficult for any city to host a film as large as “Die Hard,” “we really wanted to make it happen,” Byron said.

The city is earning about $3.5 million during the filming to offset costs related to street closings and traffic control.

The action-packed series is notorious for its high budget, usually spent on shootouts, car chases and explosions.

“The filming is great. I like the ‘Die Hard’ series and am glad to see it back,” said Dennis Johnson.

Several major thoroughfares, including Commerce, Calvert, Fayette and Lombard streets, have been partly or fully closed during shooting, and it has led to traffic backups in the area.

Baltimore City police traffic control officers declined to comment when asked about the downtown gridlock.

The acclaimed series is one of the most popular action series of all time. Combined, the first three movies — “Die Hard,” “Die Hard 2: Die Harder” and “Die Hard With a Vengeance” — grossed more than $299 million in box office sales and almost $720 million in worldwide sales.

Starring with Willis in the movie is Justin Long, who stars in the recently-released comedy “Accepted” and Maggie Q (from “Mission: Impossible III”). Filming is expected to continue in Baltimore for the next several days. The movie’s scheduled release date is late June 2007.

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