Willis Goes Courting Before Dying Hard Again

Thu., Aug. 3, 2006 10:35 AM PDT by Joal Ryan

Bruce Willis has a release date--and a new name--for the next Die Hard movie. Now, if only he could get his stuff back...

The actor sued a former employee and presumed former pal Wednesday for allegedly hijacking his video camera and assorted memorabilia, and then threatening to go public with "private family photographs," as well as a tell-all book based on "confidential information" and "lies," unless Willis paid the friend at least $100,000 and gifted him with a car.

The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles, accuses Bruce DiMattia of civil extortion, among other allegations.

Willis is seeking at least $1 million in damages from DiMattia, as well as the return of said stuff--the video camera, a microphone, a gun "and other property."

According to the lawsuit, DiMattia was a "childhood friend" who worked for the movie star from 2002 until earlier this year when the man was "overcome by greed and jealous[y] of [Willis'] success."

As the relationship soured, the lawsuit alleges, DiMattia refused to return Willis' property (the camera, et. al), and started making threats. DiMattia also refused to leave a Willis home in which he was allowed to live sans rent while working for the actor, the complaint says.

DiMattia could not be reached by phone for comment Thursday.

A Bruce DiMattia played harmonica with Willis and his band, the Accelerators, at gigs over the last couple of years.

The lawsuit is second brought by Willis this summer. In June, the star sued a photographer for defamation after the shutterbug claimed Willis got rough with him and his camera outside a Los Angeles restaurant.

World-saving, not civil litigation, will be the focus in Live Free or Die Hard, the newly titled fourth installment in the Die Hard franchise. Production is set to begin in September; a June 29, 2007, release date is planned, 20th Century Fox said Thursday.

Underworld's Len Wiseman is directing; Willis, per usual, is offing all the bad guys.