Bruce Willis’ Die Hard is an American classic. It’s a movie that’s still talked about and even debated about. After all, is it a Christmas film or not? No matter which side of the debate one leans on, it can’t be denied that it encompasses several genres.
As a result, it allowed Willis to flex his acting muscles while still allowing him to remain true to who he was. However, one has to wonder if Willis was ever upset that he had to accept a role that was passed on by stalwarts like Clint Eastwood.
Was Bruce Willis Upset He Had To Star In A Film Rejected By Multiple Mega Stars?
Bruce Willis is iconic as Die Hard’s John McClane. The 1988 movie grossed $139 million on a $28 million budget and created history. It also spawned four more films and the entire franchise hauled in $1.4 billion at the global box office. As such, Willis certainly doesn’t have any regrets about starring in the film. After all, he became a household name thanks to this film.
But one has to wonder if he had any issues starring in a film that was rejected by stalwarts like Clint Eastwood, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and more. In no interview has Willis indicated that he was not happy with being given a film that was rejected by so many. But why was Willis specifically selected for the role of John McClane?
It was because he looked like someone who could portray a man with a blue-collar upbringing. Willis too captured this opportunity with both hands and played a character who was human and relatable in every way possible.
Bruce Willis Played His Die Hard Character Like A Normal Vulnerable Man
In an interview, Bruce Willis revealed how he had portrayed the iconic character of John McClane. He said he chose to show him as a man who was vulnerable and in doing so, he played him almost like himself. The actor said:
“Die Hard is probably the closest I’ve come to showing what is in my heart on screen… In Die Hard, even though I’m acting, a lot of what is in me came through. I really wanted to play a vulnerable guy. I didn’t want to be a superhero who’s a larger-than-life guy that nobody really knows. I don’t know any superheroes. I know guys who are afraid and have anxiety, and I think you know people like that, too. That’s what I wanted to play.”
Willis’ method of portraying John McClane clearly worked as the character and the film has become a part of Hollywood history. In fact, while it would certainly be interesting to see actors like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Clint Eastwood, and others’ version of the film and character, it can’t be denied that Willis’ normal man charm and vigor won over audiences like never before and he became immortalized in the hearts of the public.
Die Hard is available on Amazon Prime Video and Hulu.
Source: Closer Weekly
