BRUCE WILLIS - WILLIS HAILS TIMBERLAKE'S ACTING SKILLS

Hollywood hardman BRUCE WILLIS has hailed pop hunk JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE's "great" acting skills in forthcoming crime drama ALPHA DOG.

The former 'N SYNC singer, 24, plays gang member FRANKIE BALLENBACHER in the film, based on the life of notorious drug dealer JESSE JAMES HOLLYWOOD.

Willis, who plays SONNY TRUELOVE in the NICK CASSAVETES-directed movie, enthuses, "I only had a couple of scenes with him but he did a really great job.

"I do have a little bit of fame myself but it's really interesting to see how crazy people go over Justin."