Would you want to know what Die Hard‘s John McClane was up to before the events of the iconic first film? Well, writer Ben Trebilcook is hoping to explore that and more with a package for a streaming TV series called McClane: Die Hard 24/7, and it comes complete with a “proof of concept” trailer that is exclusive to us at JoBlo.
Here’s the official premise:
“In 1977, a fresh-faced, inexperienced John McClane enrolls in the NYPD.”
The series would look at McClane’s life and early years in the ’70s. The trailer stars Jeremy Sande, Eric Buarque, and Sylvia Crimm, and it’s written and created by Ben Trebilcook, with producing and directing duties falling on Brian Trainor. You can check out the trailer at the top of this story.
The concept for the series has an interesting history. It was originally developed with FX in 2007 (and later as a movie to be directed by Len Wiseman), but it may have been ahead of its time. Streaming wasn’t a big player back then, but now, various platforms have made the potential for shows like this to take off. Also, nostalgia is a big selling point, and with the Die Hard franchise and the John McClane character being so beloved, now could be the perfect time for this series to happen.
The story has already been developed beyond its concept trailer, and there is enough material to cover at least six seasons with a pilot episode written and ready.
The team behind the project also wants to get Bruce Willis and his family involved. Willis may have had to retire due to health issues, but they believe Die Hard is very much his baby, and they don’t want to do anything that would taint that. Having the approval of John McClane himself would certainly go a long way. Ben developed it with Bruce in mind, to do a voice-over throughout the episodes and perhaps even make the occasional appearance.
The director behind the project, Brian Trainor, also has an interesting pedigree. Originally from Scotland, Trainor is an associate producer on the upcoming documentary RoboDoc-The Creation Of RoboCop, and the series Cops and Monsters. The creative team behind this has the chops to make this series have amazing potential.
Perhaps the best vote of confidence comes from Trainor himself. Speaking as a fan and as someone that respects the franchise and the man behind it:
“We all love Die Hard. We all love John McClane and we all love Bruce Willis. To see an iteration of this character that is anything less than the perfection offered to us by Willis in those movies, would be a bitter pill to swallow. A McClane show, perhaps with involvement with Bruce and his family, keeps Die Hard his. He can enjoy watching us tear it up on his behalf and is more than welcome, we’d love that. It may be one more chance of doing what he loved, still being John McClane and still making Die Hard, in one form or another.”
What are YOUR thoughts on this potential streaming series? Did YOU like the concept trailer?