If you’re like me then you likely have some trepidation over the next entry in the DIE HARD series, aptly titled A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD. Bruce Willis returns to the franchise as underdog cop John McClane, this time teaming up with his son (Jai Courtney) to fight terrorists in Russia. In the latest issue of Empire, director John Moore spilled some details about his take on the franchise and how he’s approaching the tone and action of the pic.
On the question of the fifth film in the series being a “light-hearted romp”:
“No, because that’s preposterous! I don’t know whether it’s post-financial crash or whatever, but I don’t think people are in the mood for that bollocks anymore. People are well savvy to the cynical reheating of any product, any franchise. Any shit won’t do. The bar’s a bit higher.”
On the fish-out-of-water element with McClane in Moscow:
“There are a couple of great gags and a couple of great McClanisms. It’s not like he this idiot, bumbling around Moscow making ‘America won the Cold War’ jokes. It’s not Carry On Die Hard, I can assure you…”
On the scale of the action:
“The scope along goes from New York to Moscow. It’s very, very international. There’s a car chase through Moscow that’s taking us 78 days to shoot. So… yeah. That should answer your question!”
I don’t know any director that would undersell his movie, so while these comments sound pretty good, I’m not yet convinced that Moore can deliver a worthy DIE HARD film, although I’m willing to give him a chance. Two big factors that will influence my feelings on the continuation of this series are the rating and the footage. If it’s another PG-13 flick I’m already going to be peeved and if it doesn’t tap into those signature McClane cinematic moments then all may be lost.
I’m hopeful and doubtful at the same time. What do you think? Do Moore’s words assauge you in any way?
A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD romances it’s way into your heart on February 14, 2013.
And here’s some behind-the-scenes footage of the film being shot in Hungary
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