aBruce Willis, the powerhouse performer known for his dry wit, shiny dome, and magnetic
charm, etched his name in Hollywood's pantheon through a string of memorable roles, perhaps
none more iconic than his portrayal of NYPD Detective John McClane in the blockbuster
'Die Hard' series.
Kicking off with the eponymous film in 1988, this action-packed franchise catapulted Willis
into international stardom, his character's resilience and rugged one-liners resonating
with audiences across the globe.
As much an emblem of American cinema as the Die Hard series itself, Willis' career spans
several decades, yielding an impressive body of work that covers everything from gritty
action thrillers to cerebral science fiction.
In recent news, the actor's 2023 diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia has had fans and
critics alike reflecting on his remarkable contribution to film.
In today's video, we delve deep into Die Hard lore, turning our spotlight on a heart-stopping
scene from the classic film that almost claimed Willis' life.
This harrowing incident, a largely hidden chapter in Die Hard's storied legacy, underlines
the lengths to which Willis went to breathe life into the gritty, never-say-die McClane.
But our exploration doesn't stop there.
As we pay tribute to Willis and his enduring portrayal of John McClane, we'll also uncover
several lesser-known behind-the-scenes facts about Die Hard, unearthing the secrets that
have contributed to the franchise's timeless appeal.
So gear up for this thrilling trip down memory lane, as we revisit the legacy of Bruce Willis
and his defining role in Die Hard.
Facts Verse Presents: Bruce Willis Almost Died Filming His Iconic Die Hard Scene
The Scene That Nearly Killed Him
When Die Hard first hit the drawing board in the '80s, it was far from obvious that
Bruce Willis would take on the role of the tenacious NYPD detective John McClane.
In fact, the mantle was declined by several Hollywood giants, including Arnold Schwarzenegger,
Clint Eastwood, and Richard Gere.
Willis wasn't the top choice, but due to a surprising turn of events and a tight negotiation
by his agent, Arnold Rifkin, he secured the role for a hefty $5 million.
Willis' path to playing McClane was an odd blend of chance and timing.
Initially, he turned down the role due to his commitment to the hit TV show, "Moonlighting."
However, a window of opportunity arose when his co-star, Cybill Shepherd, announced her
pregnancy, leaving him with an unexpected 11-week break.
Despite warnings from "Moonlighting" creator Glenn Gordon Caron that he'd be "laughed off
the screen" in a role better suited for Schwarzenegger, Willis took the plunge.
Little did he know that his leap of faith would take one a more literal form on the
very first day of filming.
For the opening stunt, Willis was prepped and taken to the top floor of a parking garage,
wearing just black pants and his body coated in a gel-like substance.
When asked about the gel's purpose, a crew member responded matter-of-factly, "That’s
so you don’t catch on fire."
Following this brief exchange, Willis took a daring jump from the five-story parking
garage onto an inflatable airbag.
The stunt was a high-risk affair that included the detonation of plastic bags of gasoline.
The ensuing explosion pushed Willis dangerously close to the edge of the airbag.
This near miss sent the crew members rushing to check if he had survived the plunge.
The moment was fraught with tension, yet Willis mistook their rush of concern for applause,
expecting them to say, "Great job!
Attaboy!"
In reality, however, they were checking if he had indeed landed safely, having come perilously
close to missing the bag entirely.
The scene was scheduled early on in the shooting, hedging against the possibility that if something
went awry, there would still be time to recast the role.
Willis might have laughed it off, but his then-girlfriend, Demi Moore, found the incident
far from amusing.
Contrary to the palpable tension of the day, Die Hard director, John McTiernan, echoed
Willis' attitude, stating that the stunt wasn't overly dangerous and that Willis loved performing
it.
Regardless of its risk level, the incident certainly lent authenticity to Willis' performance,
enhancing his embodiment of the "real circumstance."
Undeterred by the close call, Willis proceeded with his role in Die Hard, which went on to
become the highest-grossing action film of 1988, launching Willis into an illustrious,
enduring career in the limelight.
Now that we’ve covered the scene that nearly ended Willis’ life, let’s take a few minutes
to cover a handful of little-known and behind-the-scenes facts pertaining to the Die Hard films that
are sure to please fans of the franchise.
Die Hard: A Genre Game Changer
Obviously, Bruce Willis holds Die Hard in high regard, considering it a groundbreaking
film for the action genre.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, he expressed that if he were to make an action
movie today without having done Die Hard, he would undoubtedly draw inspiration from
it, acknowledging its enduring impact.
Alan Rickman's Genuine Terror
The climactic moment when Hans Gruber plummets from the Nakatomi Tower is forever etched
in our memories.
Alan Rickman's look of terror was no act.
During the filming of the scene, the stunt crew unexpectedly dropped him on the count
of one instead of three.
In a later interview, Rickman revealed that everyone was in on the prank, sharing how
he saw the slightly incredulous producers when he insisted on performing the stunt himself.
The crew carefully saved this shot for last, capturing the genuine fear in Rickman's eyes.
Action vs. Comedy: Willis's Take
While filming Die Hard, Bruce Willis was simultaneously working on the TV show Moonlighting.
When asked which he found more challenging, Willis responded, "It's a lot harder being
funny than it is doing action.
Action is just the grown-up equivalent of me saying 'Let's go jump off the roof of the
house.'"
His candid statement sheds light on his perspective, emphasizing the ease he found in action roles
compared to the demands of comedy.
A Twisted Tale of Protagonists and Antagonists
Interestingly, the roles of the protagonist and antagonist in Die Hard can be reversed
when viewed from a screenwriter's perspective.
While John McClane is usually seen as the hero and Hans Gruber as the villain, Hans
"drives the action" in this context, and John must foil his plans.
Thus, in this alternate view, the movie ends on a lamentable note - with the protagonist,
Hans, losing.
Wincing Shots and Artful Cuts
Alan Rickman, who masterfully brought Hans Gruber to life, had a unique quirk: he winced
each time he fired his gun.
This involuntary reaction led the director to artfully cut away from him during shooting
scenes, adding an intriguing artistic touch to the movie.
Lost in Translation: The Many Titles of Die Hard
The Die Hard title saw a myriad of transformations worldwide due to translation issues.
In Poland, it was known as 'The Glass Trap,' a stark contrast from its original moniker.
Sound of Impact: Willis's Hearing Loss
The film's groundbreaking gun effects came at a cost - the powerful blanks used during
filming partially deafened Bruce Willis.
This reality serves as a stark reminder of the sacrifices made for on-screen spectacle.
The Sinatra Connection
The Die Hard series also has a surprising link to Frank Sinatra.
Sinatra starred in the 1963 movie 'The Detective', which is somehow a part of the Die Hard universe.
A Construction Site for Action
The Fox Headquarters, still under construction during the filming of Die Hard, served as
the setting for the intense Nakatomi Plaza scenes.
The real-life construction sites provided authenticity to McClane's journey.
An Iconic Line Born of Improvisation
The iconic "yippee-ki-yay" line was actually an improvisation by Bruce Willis, solidifying
the character's cowboy persona, which would become integral to McClane's identity.
Die Hard in the Smithsonian
John McClane's bloodied undershirt and a movie poster have earned a place in the Smithsonian
museum.
And yes, you can still see them on display to this day!
From Beethoven to Bad Guys: The Ode To Joy Controversy
The film's signature underscore, Beethoven's 'Ode To Joy', almost didn't make the cut due
to the composer's initial resistance.
Director John McTiernan fortunately was able to convince him otherwise, citing Stanley
Kubrick's precedent of using classical music in film.
Stage to Screen: Rickman's Reluctant Debut
Alan Rickman originally turned down the role of Hans Gruber.
Thanks to his agent, he accepted the part, marking a significant shift from stage to
screen.
A Novel Idea: From 'Nothing Lasts Forever' to 'Die Hard'
The novel that Die Hard is based on, 'Nothing Lasts Forever' by Roderick Thorp, unmistakably
has a completely different title.
It found a new wave of readers with its republication in 2013 to celebrate the film's 25th anniversary.
A Shakespearean Time Warp
Inspired by Shakespeare, filmmaker John McTiernan compressed the events in Die Hard into a single
evening, a deviation from the novel's three-day timeline.
Cybill Shepherd: The Unforeseen Catalyst
It was Cybill Shepherd's pregnancy that allowed Bruce Willis the opportunity to audition for
Die Hard.
Her pregnancy put a pause on their TV show 'Moonlighting', providing Willis with the
break that would cement his place in Hollywood history.
The Future Of Die Hard
The Die Hard franchise, which has captured the hearts of action film lovers for decades,
once had plans for a sixth installment.
However, the future of the franchise seems uncertain, given the cancellation of Die Hard
6 and Bruce Willis's retirement from acting due to his diagnosis of dementia.
Die Hard 6 was set to explore the backstory of the iconic character John McClane while
also serving as a sequel to the original 1988 film.
The concept involved a time-jumping narrative, with Bruce Willis reprising his role as an
older John McClane while another actor portrayed the character in his younger days.
Bonnie Bedelia, who played McClane's ex-wife Holly, was also rumored to potentially make
a return, although details were unclear.
Unfortunately, the plans for Die Hard 6 were derailed by the Disney-Fox merger, resulting
in the cancellation of the project.
The idea of a prequel exploring a young John McClane and showcasing different facets of
Bruce Willis's performance had shown promise, but it was not meant to be.
As we look to the future of the Die Hard franchise, it's apparent that any potential continuation
will not include Bruce Willis due to his retirement and the challenges he faces with his diagnosis.
The absence of Willis undoubtedly presents a significant hurdle for any future projects,
as his portrayal of John McClane has become synonymous with the series.
We wish Bruce Willis and his loved ones strength and resilience as they navigate this challenging
chapter in their lives.
Bruce's contributions to the Die Hard franchise will forever be cherished, and his portrayal
of John McClane will continue to inspire action heroes for generations to come.
As we bid farewell to the action-packed world of Die Hard and pay tribute to the indomitable
Bruce Willis, we invite you to join the conversation.
Share your favorite Die Hard moments, discuss the impact of the franchise on the action
genre, or simply reminisce about the iconic John McClane in the comments section down
below.
What are your thoughts on the near-death experience that Bruce Willis had during the filming of
Die Hard?
Were you surprised to learn about the behind-the-scenes facts that added layers of intrigue to this
beloved film?
And what are your hopes for the future of the Die Hard franchise, knowing that Bruce
Willis will no longer be a part of it?
Let us know!
And as always, thanks for watching!