Die Hard (1988) starring Bruce Willis has become a cult film over the years and is considered one of the best action films ever made. It has been viewed as a Christmas classic and the film catapulted Willis’ star power and made him a household name. The film had a captivating antagonist named Hans Gruber, played by Alan Rickman, who takes over a building filled with people hostage and faces off with Willis’ character. But most people would be shocked to know that Rickman initially was hesitant to act in an action movie and was doubtful of his potential in the film.
Alan Rickman Initially Rejected his Role in Die Hard
Alan Rickman in an interview at a BAFTA event via The Hollywood Reporter recalled his initial hesitation of being cast in an action movie like Die Hard. Fresh out of his experiences as a trained theatre actor, he found it cheap to be acting in an action film with guns and explosives. He expressed his initial thoughts after reading the script saying, “I read it, and I said, What the hell is this? I’m not doing an action movie”. His agent at the time and close friends on the other hand encouraged Rickman to take up the ‘once in a lifetime offer’ that he got for his first film.
Rickman eventually took up the role and even added suggestions of his own regarding the character’s costumes, which the producer agreed on. The role would go on to become one of the most recognizable and popular roles of his career.
Alan Rickman Realized the Nuances and Depth the Movie Had
Alan Rickman through the making of Die Hard slowly realized that the film was more than just a regular run-of-the-mill action film. He began to observe significant nuances and details that made the film unique and somewhat ahead of its time. In the same interview, he pointed out,
“Not to get a sledgehammer out to it, but every single black character in that film is positive and highly intelligent,” he said. “So, 28 years ago, that’s actually quite revolutionary and quietly so.”
The character of Al Powell played by Reginald VehlJohnson is seen throughout the film being an emotional anchor for Bruce Willis‘ character John McClane. He keeps him grounded and provides moral support in McClaine’s pursuit of rescuing the people kept hostage by Hans Gruber, including his wife. The role is reflective of Rickman’s comments of positively representing Black characters in a way that is significant and contributes to the proceedings of the film.
The Legacy of Die Hard
Die Hard was critically and commercially successful at the time it was released in 1988. It grossed around $139-141 million at the box office against its production budget of $25-35 million. The success of the film made a significant mark on the industry regarding the portrayal of action heroes. The audiences connected to Bruce Willis’ portrayal of the everyman who is trying to save people in danger and who is vulnerable and relatable. This was a huge departure from the kind of action heroes that were there at the time where they were portrayed as invincible.
The film spawned four sequels namely Die Hard 2 in 1990, Die Hard with a Vengeance in 1995, Live Free or Die Hard in 2007, and A Good Day to Die Hard in 2013. The character of John McClane has since become an action hero icon and is celebrated as one of the best action film protagonists of all time.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
