Bruce Willis is about to direct his first feature film, Three Stories About Joan. But what about other modern-day action movie tough guys who have tried their fists at directing...


7. THE MECHANIK (2005)
Dolph Lundgren

A prime example of an actor (and that's debatable here) sticking with the material you know for your shot as a director. Dolph, now 51, also wrote this typical action fare about an ex-Russian Special Forces soldier who is yanked out of his now peaceful existence after his wife and kid are killed and must take vengeance! It's been likened to The Punisher Goes Russian.

Result: The big Swede (no, he's not really Russian) actually got some pretty good reviews for this effort, the movie becoming somewhat of a cult hit. Maybe he could become the next Clint Eastwood (who may or may not be on this list).

What else? The Mechanik was Dolph's second film as director after The Defender (2004), which is something about an ex-Special Forces soldier who is called back into action (sound familiar), only this time he's American an his name is ... Lance Rockford! But wait, it does get interesting, Jerry Springer plays the US President. Up next for Lundgren the director is Icarus (2009) about a Soviet-trained assassin who is determined to escape his double life as a hitman and as a husband. Ho hum.




6. ON DEADLY GROUND (1994)
Steven Seagal

Before he got fat and started playing guitar, Steve fancied himself as a genuine hero, an environmentalist. He saw making this movie as the perfect vehicle to aid his fight against air pollution. He directs himself as an environmental agent (who just happens to know martial arts) on a mission to destroy an oil rig in the Alaskan wilderness. It had the usual Seagal action - him not really moving that much, but managing to single-handedly take down an entire bar-room full of rednecks. Michael Caine co-starred.

Result: Apparently the final scene when Steve's character gives a speech about the oil companies and air pollution was originally 11 minutes long, but had to be reduced significantly due to test aduiences complaining it was some of the most boring footage ever. Too preachy they said, which sums up the film. If he's not kicking someon's ass, Seagal is saying something meaningful. Please.

What else? That was it for Steve, now 51. Quit while you're ahead Hmmmm. Anyway the studio only allowed him permission to make the film so he would star in Under Siege 2. And wasn't that worth it.


5. THE QUEST (1996)
Jean Claude Van Damme

What better way to direct your first movie than to make it one you already starred in eight years earlier. Just change a few of the characters' names and the settings and presto! The Quest, also starring Van Damme, was based on Frank Dux's experiences in brutal martial arts tournaments around the world. It followed Bloodsport, also starring Van Damme, which was based on Frank Dux's experiences in brutal martial arts tournaments around the world. Dux himself actually tried to sue Van Damme for being denied profits - if there were any.

Result: Co-star Roger Moore apparently chose this as his least favourite film he has everstarred in. Quite a classy-looking film from the Mussels from Brussels, with entertaining fight sequences and at times impressive cinematography but was hardly an original plot that has the star as the underdog who prevails against much bigger, stronger opponents - again.

What else? Nothing until now. After watching his once ... well, mediocre career as a movie tough guy go down the gurgler, JC, 48, is returning to the director's chair for Full Love, which he'll also star in. Don't know too much about this one but sounds a bit suss to me.


4. CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT (1991)
Arnold Schwarzenegger

Yep, that's right, Arnie's one and only crack at directing a feature film was one of those cheesy made-for-TV Christmas specials. Starring Kris Kristofferson and Dyan Cannon, Christmas in Connecticut is supposed to be a 'riotous' tale about a cooking show host who doesn't really know how to cook. Oh classic! It was a remake of a 1945 film starring Barbara Stanwyck.

Result: Gotta give the big Austrian credit here though for looking outside the square that is action films, and showing a softer side. It was, afterall, during that whole nurturing time for him. He did Kindergarten Cop, then the babysitter in Terminator 2 and then mom in Junior.

What else? Arnie warmed up for his big feature film debut by directing an episode of TV creepshow Tales from the Crypt called The Switch (1990). It features his Twins co-star Kelly Preston in a love story with a difference. After Christmas in Connecticut, Arnie, now 61, never directed again. I think he found it easier to govern the world's fifth biggest economy.



3. ROCKY II (1979)
Sylvester Stallone

Sly wrote the screenplay for the first Rocky but kept the saga going by taking on everything for Rocky II - star, direct and write. Stallone focuses on how the Itallion Stallion deals with new-found fame and having to confront his demons again by getting into the ring with Apollo Creed for a second time.

Result: Alright the fight scenes in this and in all Rocky movies are quite ridiculous. I mean, how many times can one guy get hit in the head and live to talk about it (though his speech is a bit slurred). Rocky just had no defence. Put your arms up man! That aside, its is quite another enoyable Rocky offering with a classic albeit far-fetched ending. Sly also wrote the novelisation for the movie - in the first person, that being Rocky, and in his Philadelphia bum take on the English language.

What else? Sly started with Paradise Alley (1978), about three wrestling brothers living in the 1940s. He directed the rest of the Rocky films, including the latest, Rocky Balboa (2008), as well as Staying Alive (1983), the follow-up to Saturday Night Live, with John Travolta. He will soon be back behind the camera - and in front of it - for yet another Rambo installment at the age of 63.


2. THE GOOD SHEPHERD (2006)
Robert De Niro

De Niro got some big names to appear in his second offering as director. One of those is Matt Damon who stars as an idealistic CIA agent on assignment during the Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba. Co-starred De Niro himself, as well as Angelina Jolie, Joe Pesci, William Hurt, Billy Crudup, Alec Baldwin and Keir Dullea (Dave Bowman from 2001).

Result: Was nominated for an Oscar for Art Direction. Apparently De Niro had been planning to make this movie for over 10 years. Not a bad effort for a guy making his second flick.

What else? De Niro's only other movie was A Bronx Tale (2003) in which he also stars as a father concerned about his son befriending the neighbourhood mobster. The mobster is played by Chazz Palimentri (the cop from The Usual Suspects), who also wrote the screenplay. There's nothing else in the pipeline for D Niro for the now 66-year-old.


1. UNFORGIVEN (1991)
Clint Eastwood

What can you say about Clint? The ultimate action movie star-turned director success story. Four Oscars. Two as director. The first was for Unforgiven, one of the great westerns in an era when westerns were considered uncool. It was the story of an old gunslinger enticed out of retirement to collect a bounty on some prostitute-abusing cowboys. Morgan Freeman and Gene Hackman co-starred.

Result: Powerful film that deserved every gong it collected. Ended up being one of only three westerns to ever win the Best Picture Oscar. Apparently the script for the film floated around Hollywood for over 20 years, remarkably back to a time when westerns were the norm. Hackman originally turned down an offer to star in the movie because he though it sounded boring.

What else? Eastwood is an absolute freak. The guy is nearly 80 (78 to be precise) and shows no sign of slowing down. Of course, he recently directed critically-acclaimed WWII pics Flags of our Fathers and Letters from Iwo Jima (2006). Before that was Oscar winners Million-Dollar Baby (2004) and Mystic River (2003), and earlier Bridges of Madison County. It all started with Play Misty For Me (1971).