The Flickering Myth writing staff look at the news of a possible sixth Die Hard movie...
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In 1988, Bruce Willis starred in a movie that made him a bonafide blockbuster action star. The fearless cop John McClane took down a group of terrorists and the evil Hans Gruber by himself in John McTiernan's Die Hard - one of the best action movies ever made.
The film spawned a sequel, Die Hard 2: Die Harder, a couple of years later and then another sequel in 1995 entitled Die Hard with a Vengeance. As an interesting side note, Die Hard with a Vengeance was originally its own movie called Simon Says and John McClane was added at a later date to make it the third movie.
The trilogy was labelled a success and has become a firm favourite among action fans. In 2007, the news of a fourth movie, Live Free or Die Hard (a.k.a. Die Hard 4.0), got action fans excited but the movie itself failed to deliver with its 12A/PG-13 approach to the franchise (although some will defend it). And finally this year saw the fifth entry A Good Day To Die Hard, which failed to please both critics and fans alike.
But with all that said, rumours started circulating this week that a sixth film is going into production entitled Die Hardest. Fox themselves have said that the movie isn't happening, but a lot of "sources" claim that it is.
What does the Flickering Myth writing team think of a possible sixth movie?
Helen Murdoch: I'm hugely disappointed by yet another Die Hard film. I couldn't bring myself to see the 5th one because of how shambolic the trailer was. From what I've read and people who've seen it I don't think I'm missing much. They need to give up on this franchise now.
In terms of the title it's bland and unimaginative. Someone commented on Total Film yesterday and suggested they call it Old Habits Die Hard - much, much better.
Oliver Davis: This is the best news ever! But I propose they call it Long Live Die Hard.
Tom Jolliffe: Judging by the poor box office, a 6th film isn't set in stone. That said, by the time the DVD takings roll in, it'll have made plenty of money. Willis must surely be bored of bringing back McClane and it never being right. He didn't seem to enthused with number 4. He seemed a little embarrassed in interviews for number 5 too. Like Helen, I can't bring myself to watch number 5. If they can get a good writer and director, then count me on board. That isn't going to happen though. I think it's time to lay McClane to rest.
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Rohan Morbey:A Good Day To Die Hard was the first film I ever walked out of. After 25 minutes. During an action scene. So the thought of a sixth is, to me, a declination of war against any fans of the series which still remain.
Chris Cooper: Only having seen the trailers for A Good Day To Die Hard felt like enough. The fourth film annoyed me plenty so to see the franchise further dragged through the mud doesn't appeal. Why does Willis keep doing it? Surely he doesn't need the money? Then again, he does do that SKY commercial....
J-P Wooding: I really like the first two but I think they went downhill after that. McClane saving the day had run its course before Die Hard 4.0, so I'm not bothered about seeing another. If they really do it I foresee two endings: killing McClane off as he saves the day again, or the same again but with the addition of an epilogue; perhaps with his name being shouted by a police Captain or a badge on a desk or something equally as corny. Perhaps suggesting there...is..another...McClane..
Ed Doyle: It baffles me that this is still even a franchise (well, money). Aside from "yippee ki yay" and Bruce Willis himself, there isn't much that ties these films together. The James Bond series, despite moving through various actors in every role, retains its trademark suave demeanour complete with a checklist of recognisable Bond mannerisms and visual motifs. Jason Bourne has its overarching narrative that's now carried over into a new leading man. Superhero films have their individual iconography. What is the enduring appeal of this series, whose latest instalment bore no resemblance to the sharply-steered original? If it's mainly Willis' unmistakable bald chrome, you have a few other options for that (Looper, for one).
Rohan Morbey: The series 1-3 was over 7 years and certainly had a USP of the 'wrong guy in the wrong place at the wrong time' but it should have ended at 3. The series has always been carried by the original, without which the action movie would be a very different genre today. The sequels have diminished the memory of the original to the point where McClane is now a joke and that saddens me.
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Chris Cooper: Rohan is spot on that past the third film this was a waste of time. First time he's unlucky. Second time he throws himself in anyway (or for his wife, whatever), and the third time he is partnered up and pretty much forced to. Four jumps the shark (jet?) as he just seems to be wanting to get in touch with his (highly attractive) daughter whilst being indestructible.
Luckily for me, every time I see the first one I'm reminded how bloody awesome it is and forget the others.
Luke Owen: "Awesome news - I can't wait to see another Die Hard movie" - said no one ever.
As everyone has stated, the first one is a masterpiece and considering it was never meant to be a Die Hard movie, I love the third film. Die Hard 4.0 was hilariously bad and the fifth movie looked like a spoof of the action genre. Should the rumour be true, I'd be very surprised on one hand because Willis looked like he'd rather be singing Bruno tracks than promoting the movie, but unsurprised on the other as money talks and Die Hard still inexplicably sells.
Chris Cooper: Has a series ever had to consistently fall back so hard on the original entry? I'm just glad Hans and Karl are dead. Least they can't be brought back.
Luke Owen: Don't speak too soon. No one stays truly dead - unless they DIE HARD. (I'll take commission on that tagline Fox. Call me).
Rohan Morbey: 'Die Hard' is a brand name now, nothing else. The fifth film has taken $300 worldwide which is pretty good considering it flopped in the US and shows it doesn't make a difference how piss poor a film is, it'll still rake in money as long as 'Die Hard' is in the title somewhere. A sixth film, with a no-name director who'll do exactly what Fox say, is a licence to print money.
Tom Jolliffe: If he gets paid top dollar Willis will do it, which is a shame. He's been in so many films of late, including a few straight to DVD, and has largely, with the odd exception, phoned it in.
As expected, not a positive reaction. Time will tell whether Die Hardest becomes a reality, but the initial reaction (at least from us) is not good.
So, are you excited for a sixth entry in the Die Hard series? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below...
The film spawned a sequel, Die Hard 2: Die Harder, a couple of years later and then another sequel in 1995 entitled Die Hard with a Vengeance. As an interesting side note, Die Hard with a Vengeance was originally its own movie called Simon Says and John McClane was added at a later date to make it the third movie.
The trilogy was labelled a success and has become a firm favourite among action fans. In 2007, the news of a fourth movie, Live Free or Die Hard (a.k.a. Die Hard 4.0), got action fans excited but the movie itself failed to deliver with its 12A/PG-13 approach to the franchise (although some will defend it). And finally this year saw the fifth entry A Good Day To Die Hard, which failed to please both critics and fans alike.
But with all that said, rumours started circulating this week that a sixth film is going into production entitled Die Hardest. Fox themselves have said that the movie isn't happening, but a lot of "sources" claim that it is.
What does the Flickering Myth writing team think of a possible sixth movie?
Helen Murdoch: I'm hugely disappointed by yet another Die Hard film. I couldn't bring myself to see the 5th one because of how shambolic the trailer was. From what I've read and people who've seen it I don't think I'm missing much. They need to give up on this franchise now.
In terms of the title it's bland and unimaginative. Someone commented on Total Film yesterday and suggested they call it Old Habits Die Hard - much, much better.
Oliver Davis: This is the best news ever! But I propose they call it Long Live Die Hard.
Tom Jolliffe: Judging by the poor box office, a 6th film isn't set in stone. That said, by the time the DVD takings roll in, it'll have made plenty of money. Willis must surely be bored of bringing back McClane and it never being right. He didn't seem to enthused with number 4. He seemed a little embarrassed in interviews for number 5 too. Like Helen, I can't bring myself to watch number 5. If they can get a good writer and director, then count me on board. That isn't going to happen though. I think it's time to lay McClane to rest.
Rohan Morbey:A Good Day To Die Hard was the first film I ever walked out of. After 25 minutes. During an action scene. So the thought of a sixth is, to me, a declination of war against any fans of the series which still remain.Chris Cooper: Only having seen the trailers for A Good Day To Die Hard felt like enough. The fourth film annoyed me plenty so to see the franchise further dragged through the mud doesn't appeal. Why does Willis keep doing it? Surely he doesn't need the money? Then again, he does do that SKY commercial....
J-P Wooding: I really like the first two but I think they went downhill after that. McClane saving the day had run its course before Die Hard 4.0, so I'm not bothered about seeing another. If they really do it I foresee two endings: killing McClane off as he saves the day again, or the same again but with the addition of an epilogue; perhaps with his name being shouted by a police Captain or a badge on a desk or something equally as corny. Perhaps suggesting there...is..another...McClane..
Ed Doyle: It baffles me that this is still even a franchise (well, money). Aside from "yippee ki yay" and Bruce Willis himself, there isn't much that ties these films together. The James Bond series, despite moving through various actors in every role, retains its trademark suave demeanour complete with a checklist of recognisable Bond mannerisms and visual motifs. Jason Bourne has its overarching narrative that's now carried over into a new leading man. Superhero films have their individual iconography. What is the enduring appeal of this series, whose latest instalment bore no resemblance to the sharply-steered original? If it's mainly Willis' unmistakable bald chrome, you have a few other options for that (Looper, for one).
Rohan Morbey: The series 1-3 was over 7 years and certainly had a USP of the 'wrong guy in the wrong place at the wrong time' but it should have ended at 3. The series has always been carried by the original, without which the action movie would be a very different genre today. The sequels have diminished the memory of the original to the point where McClane is now a joke and that saddens me.
Chris Cooper: Rohan is spot on that past the third film this was a waste of time. First time he's unlucky. Second time he throws himself in anyway (or for his wife, whatever), and the third time he is partnered up and pretty much forced to. Four jumps the shark (jet?) as he just seems to be wanting to get in touch with his (highly attractive) daughter whilst being indestructible.Luckily for me, every time I see the first one I'm reminded how bloody awesome it is and forget the others.
Luke Owen: "Awesome news - I can't wait to see another Die Hard movie" - said no one ever.
As everyone has stated, the first one is a masterpiece and considering it was never meant to be a Die Hard movie, I love the third film. Die Hard 4.0 was hilariously bad and the fifth movie looked like a spoof of the action genre. Should the rumour be true, I'd be very surprised on one hand because Willis looked like he'd rather be singing Bruno tracks than promoting the movie, but unsurprised on the other as money talks and Die Hard still inexplicably sells.
Chris Cooper: Has a series ever had to consistently fall back so hard on the original entry? I'm just glad Hans and Karl are dead. Least they can't be brought back.
Luke Owen: Don't speak too soon. No one stays truly dead - unless they DIE HARD. (I'll take commission on that tagline Fox. Call me).
Rohan Morbey: 'Die Hard' is a brand name now, nothing else. The fifth film has taken $300 worldwide which is pretty good considering it flopped in the US and shows it doesn't make a difference how piss poor a film is, it'll still rake in money as long as 'Die Hard' is in the title somewhere. A sixth film, with a no-name director who'll do exactly what Fox say, is a licence to print money.
Tom Jolliffe: If he gets paid top dollar Willis will do it, which is a shame. He's been in so many films of late, including a few straight to DVD, and has largely, with the odd exception, phoned it in.
As expected, not a positive reaction. Time will tell whether Die Hardest becomes a reality, but the initial reaction (at least from us) is not good.
So, are you excited for a sixth entry in the Die Hard series? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below...