How do you follow up an action classic? That had to be the question on director Renny Harlin’s mind when he signed up to direct Die Hard 2: Die Harder for 20th Century Fox and producers Joel Silver and Lawrence Gordon. 1988’s Die Hard was a smash hit beyond anyone’s expectations. Overnight, it turned Bruce Willis, who was then a TV star on Moonlighting, into the next action icon. One movie was all it took to make him one of the three biggest action stars of the era. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis – they were the guys, and Die Hard was the movie responsible for launching Willis into superstardom. But how would they follow it up?
Launching a sequel wasn’t exactly a piece of cake, with director John McTiernan opting out of the series (temporarily) to direct The Hunt for Red October (itself an action classic). In his place, Renny Harlin, a Finnish director best known for A Nightmare on Elm Street 4, would get his chance at the reins of one of the biggest franchises of the era. Why was Harlin chosen? The director had just shot The Adventures of Ford Fairlane for Joel Silver, and the early buzz on the film was great. Due to an insanely rushed production schedule, Die Hard 2 would beat Ford Fairlane to theaters. Why? We’ll tell you all about it in WTF Happened to Die Hard 2!
This episode of WTF Happened to this Movie is written by Eric Walkuski, edited by Ric Solomon and narrated by Mathew Plale. How do you think Die Hard 2: Die Harder stacks up against the original? Is it anywhere near as good? Did you watch it last Christmas alongside the original? Let us know where you think it ranks in the series in the comments!