The original 'Die Hard' was based on the 1979 novel 'Nothing Lasts Forever' by Roderick Thorp. The novel was a sequel to Thorp's earlier book 'The Detective,' which was adapted into a film starring Frank Sinatra.
Bruce Willis was not the first choice to play John McClane. The role was offered to several other actors, including Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, and Burt Reynolds, before Willis was cast.
The Nakatomi Plaza building, where most of the first film takes place, is actually the headquarters of 20th Century Fox. The company charged itself rent to use the building during filming.
The famous line 'Yippee-ki-yay, motherf***er!' was originally ad-libbed by Bruce Willis during filming. It has since become one of the most iconic catchphrases in movie history.
Alan Rickman, who played the villain Hans Gruber, made his feature film debut in 'Die Hard.' His performance as the suave but ruthless terrorist leader is still widely regarded as one of the best villain portrayals in cinema.
The scene where Hans Gruber falls from the top of the Nakatomi Plaza was filmed with Rickman actually falling onto a blue screen from a height of 40 feet. The shock on his face was genuine, as the stunt team released him earlier than he expected.
The filmmakers used practical effects wherever possible, including real explosions and stunts, to create the film's intense action sequences. This practical approach contributed to the film's gritty, realistic feel.
The script for 'Die Hard: With a Vengeance' was originally written as a standalone film called 'Simon Says,' but it was later adapted into a 'Die Hard' sequel after the success of the first two films.
Samuel L. Jackson, who played Zeus Carver in 'Die Hard: With a Vengeance,' was cast in the role after impressing the filmmakers with his performance in 'Pulp Fiction.' The chemistry between Jackson and Willis became a highlight of the film.
The fourth film in the series, 'Live Free or Die Hard,' was released nearly 20 years after the original. It featured a more tech-savvy plot involving cyber-terrorism, reflecting the changing landscape of action films in the 2000s.
In 'Die Hard 2,' the snow used in the outdoor airport scenes was actually made of paper and foam, as the filmmakers were unable to shoot in real snow due to the warm weather during production.
The fifth film, 'A Good Day to Die Hard,' was the first in the series to receive a 12A rating in the UK, as the filmmakers toned down the violence and language to reach a wider audience.
The 'Die Hard' franchise has had a significant impact on the action genre, inspiring countless imitators and even giving rise to the term 'Die Hard on a [blank],' used to describe similar high-concept action films.
Bruce Willis performed many of his own stunts throughout the series, contributing to the authenticity and intensity of the action scenes.
The 'Die Hard' movies have become a beloved part of popular culture, with the original film often cited as one of the greatest action movies ever made and even debated as a Christmas classic.
