LOS ANGELES (AFP) - Veteran action hero Bruce Willis is to make his directorial debut with a psychological drama about a woman grappling with family tragedy, it was reported Wednesday.

Willis, best known as the gun-toting star of the "Die Hard" films, is to begin filming on "Three Stories about Joan" next month, entertainment industry daily Variety reported.

Willis, 53, whose last film was 2007's "Live Free or Die Hard," will also appear in the film as the father of the lead character.