Five movies in, it’s a wonder that the concept of a back-to-basics prequel hasn’t received more attention in the past. Across the franchise’s run, each Die Hard installment has been so focused on out-doing its predecessor in the action department that the core spirit of John McClane – one reluctant hero who finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time – has fallen by the wayside.
Last week, however, we learned that Fox is keen on continuing the series by way of a prequel, as it set its sights on Live Free or Die Hard (AKA Die Hard 4) director Len Wiseman and producing partner Lorenzo di Bonaventura for the nascent Die Hard 6, which now has Bruce Willis’ blessing.
[zerg]Upon hitting the red carpet for the premiere of Barry Levinson’s Rock the Kasbah, the series stalwart was quizzed on his thoughts about circling back to the early days of John McClane’s inimitable career – a pitch which Willis is “very happy about.”
Speaking to ET Online, here’s what the actor had to share on the matter at hand:
“It’s a very good idea, a really tricky idea, and I’m very happy about it,” Willis shared. “It’s a really cool idea, because it’s the origin story. It’s gonna happen at the beginning of this. We’re going to bounce back and forth.”
Could this be enough to set the wheels in motion? It’s too early to tell at this point. Deadline’s scoop from last week revealed that the studio heads are keen to draw the wisecracking action back to 1979, which raises practical questions about whether the story will be spliced with flashback sequences, feature a younger Bruce Willis – we hear Joseph-Gordon Levitt is a good fit – or simply recast the role of McClane altogether.
As the everyday hero, we’re holding out hope that Fox doesn’t undermine any of the action that ensued in the Nakatomi Plaza and the original Die Hard. But if the studio’s prequel has Bruce Willis’ blessing, then we’re willing to give Die Hard 6 the benefit of the doubt – for now.
