It’s been 36 years since Die Hard hit the theatres and became a memorable action movie that still remains relatable in the entertainment industry. Providing a watershed genre moment, while building up the careers of Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman, Die Hard also featured often forgotten actors like Robert Davi.
Playing the character of badass FBI Special Agent “Big” Johnson, Robert Davi offered a memorable performance despite being a lesser-known scene-stealer. But while his character initially starts by saving the day, he gradually becomes dumber and dumber in the film. This character deterioration was something that disappointed Davi’s close friend, Arnold Schwarzenegger, during the film screening.
Robert Davi Watched Die Hard Screening with Arnold Schwarzenegger
From working in 1986 classic films like Raw Deal to becoming close friends, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Robert Davi have often appreciated each other’s works from time to time. Although the two friends sustained very different sorts of careers, where Schwarzenegger earned global fame and Davi remained a lesser-known Hollywood star, the duo enjoyed a supportive friendship.
So much so that when Robert Davi got his big break following his appearance in Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman’s 1988 action flick Die Hard, the actor was accompanied by Arnold Schwarzenegger to the film’s screening. Explaining how he was invited to his film’s screening by Schwarzenegger, Davi discussed the hilarious event with Hollywood Consulting Studios.
“Arnold calls me up and he says, ‘come out here, we’re going to see the screening of Die Hard, your movie there.’” Davi shared.
However, due to his less impressive resume, Robert Davi’s character FBI Special Agent “Big” Johnson, gradually led to deterioration. While most actors receive character development and arc, Davi’s Big Johnson ended up getting dumber and dumber in the movie, which eventually led to his death. Somehow, this particular character disintegration was absolutely hated by Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Was Disappointed in Robert Davi’s Big Johnson
Appearing at Die Hard’s screening with Robert Davi, Arnold Schwarzenegger was initially enthralled with the movie, storyline, and his friend’s character. During an interview with Davi even revealed how Schwarzenegger was blown away by it. Appreciating Davi’s performance in the movie, The Terminator actor noted how he was “fantastic”.
“We’re at the first screening and we’re watching Die Hard and it’s great. I come on screen and Arnold goes, ‘this is fantastic. You look great, this is great.’”
Unfortunately, soon, Arnold Schwarzenegger was pushed to the brink of disappointment when Robert Davi’s character started losing his charm. Gradually degrading in character development, Big Johnson went on to become more and more ridiculous. This particular way of pushing Davi’s character to destruction was absolutely hated by Schwarzenegger.
“As the character becomes dumber and dumber, he’s like ‘what are you doing, you idiot? What happened to you here? You had such a strong opening and now you become an idiot?’. And then I get blown up.” Davi shared.
Although Arnold Schwarzenegger enjoyed the overall film, which ended up becoming a cult classic from the 80s, he hated the way Robert Davi’s character was written. Fuming in the middle of the screening due to this ridiculous reason, Schwarzenegger expressed his rage towards Davi.
Die Hard is available on Prime Video.
