We’re on the verge of a massive cinematic anniversary. In just a few weeks, the film many of us consider to be among the greatest action movies of all time—if not the greatest—celebrates its 38th anniversary.
Everyone knows that John McTiernan’s masterpiece made Bruce Willis into one of the biggest action stars of his era. But he was far from the first choice to play John McClane.
Even though it’s impossible to picture anyone else running around Nakatomi Plaza, blowing away terrorists in a dirty undershirt while cracking wise, 20th Century Fox desperately wanted someone else. As detailed in the book Last Action Heroes by Nick de Semlyen, dozens of names were tossed around—including Arnold Schwarzenegger. But three legendary actors came the closest to snatching the role. It’s the ultimate “what if” in action movie history.
1. Clint Eastwood: The First Choice
Eastwood was Fox’s absolute dream pick for the script. However, according to de Semlyen’s book, Clint actually wrote directly on the cover of his Die Hard script that he didn’t understand the humor.
He must have been hunting for a massive action vehicle, because that same year he made the fifth Dirty Harry movie, The Dead Pool. It went on to become the lowest-grossing film in that franchise and marked Clint’s final time playing Harry Callahan.
2. Richard Gere: A Massive Career Pivot
This could have fundamentally shifted the trajectory of Gere’s career. At the time, he was coming off a string of brutal box-office flops, including Beyond the Limit and the biblical epic King David.
If you want a glimpse at what his version of the movie might have looked like, Gere actually tried his hand at a very John McClane-like character in the 1986 film No Mercy.
3. Burt Reynolds: The Bizarre Alternative
This is the choice that makes the least sense on paper. At the time, Reynolds was at an absolute nadir in his career, plagued by health issues and a relentless string of flops between 1983 and 1987 (including the previous year’s Malone).
Why didn’t it happen? His legendary disdain for producer Joel Silver likely played a part; Reynolds once claimed in a New York Times interview that he famously “sailed” Silver right out of his trailer.
How a $5 Million Gamble Changed Hollywood
Ultimately, the studio took a massive risk on Bruce Willis. They paid him an exorbitant $5 million fee—a number that practically everyone in Hollywood thought was completely insane. At the time, conventional wisdom dictated that a TV star (Willis was still starring on Moonlighting) could never successfully cross over into feature films.
How wrong they were. The rest, as they say, is action movie history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was originally supposed to play John McClane in Die Hard?
There was never a single actor officially set to play John McClane before Bruce Willis. However, according to Last Action Heroes by Nick de Semlyen, 20th Century Fox pursued or discussed several major stars during development. Clint Eastwood was reportedly the studio’s first choice, while Richard Gere and Burt Reynolds also came close to landing the role.
What other actors were considered for Die Hard?
In addition to Clint Eastwood, Richard Gere, and Burt Reynolds, actors linked to the role over the years include Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Harrison Ford, Mel Gibson, Don Johnson, Nick Nolte, James Caan, Al Pacino, and Paul Newman. Most either passed on the project, were unavailable, or simply weren’t considered the right fit before Bruce Willis was cast.
Why was Bruce Willis considered a risky choice?
At the time, Bruce Willis was best known for the television series Moonlighting. Hollywood executives generally believed TV stars couldn’t carry big-budget action movies, making Fox’s decision to pay Willis a then-staggering $5 million salary a controversial gamble. The success of Die Hard quickly proved the skeptics wrong.
Was Die Hard based on a book?
Yes. Die Hard was adapted from Roderick Thorp’s 1979 novel Nothing Lasts Forever, which served as a sequel to his earlier novel The Detective.
Was Frank Sinatra almost John McClane?
Technically, yes, but only because of a contractual obligation. Since Die Hard was adapted from Roderick Thorp’s novel Nothing Lasts Forever, a sequel to The Detective, Fox was required to offer the lead role to Frank Sinatra, who had starred in the 1968 film version of The Detective. Sinatra declined, and at 72 years old, he was never considered a realistic choice for the physically demanding role. The studio then turned its attention to a long list of younger stars before ultimately taking a chance on Bruce Willis.
Why is Bruce Willis’ performance considered so iconic?
Unlike many action heroes of the 1980s, John McClane wasn’t portrayed as an unstoppable super-soldier. He was an ordinary New York police officer who got hurt, made mistakes, and relied as much on wit and determination as physical strength. That everyman approach helped redefine the modern action hero and became one of the biggest reasons Die Hard remains a classic nearly four decades later.
Could you see anyone else playing John McClane? Let us know in the comments below!
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