Why Frank Sinatra was offered Bruce Willis part in Die Hard

Fans almost saw Frank Sinatra do it, his way.Although fans know Bruce Willis for playing the iconic role of John McClane in the 1988 action/thriller “Die Hard,” it turns out that 20th Century Studios was contractually obligated to offer a certain A-list singer the role first.“Die Hard” was adapted from the 1979 novel “Nothing Lasts Forever,” written by former detective Roderick Thorp, and was a sequel to his first book, “The Detective.”The first novel was already made into a film, the 1968 thriller/crime by the same name which starred Sinatra and Lee Remick.Since the movie studio had the rights to the original book and its sequel before they were written for the big screen, they had to ask Sinatra first.

He was 70 at the time and declined the part.“Die Hard” also starred Alan Rickman, Bonnie Bedelia, Reginald VelJohnson, and William Atherton.Prior to landing the part of John McClane, Willis, 70, was only known for starring in the comedy series, “Moonlighting,” opposite Cybill Shepherd.The action star went on to reprise his role in all five “Die Hard Films,” including: “Die Hard 2” (1990), “Die Hard with a Vengeance” (1995), “Live Free or Die Hard” (2007), and the final installment, “A Good Day to Die Hard” in 2013.In March, in honor of Willis’ 70th birthday, his “Die Hard with a Vengeance” costar Samuel L.Jackson revealed the advice he received from him on set.“He told me, ‘Hopefully you’ll be able to find a character that, when you make bad movies and they don’t make any money, you can always go back to this character everybody loves,’” Jackson, 76, told Vanity Fair at the time.

“He said, ‘Arnold’s got ‘Terminator.’ Sylvester’s got ‘Rocky, Rambo.’ I’ve got John McClane.’ I’m like, ‘Oh, okay.’ And it didn’t occur to me until I got that Nick Fury role—and I had a nine-picture deal to be Nick Fury—that, Oh, I’m doing what Bruce said.I’ve got this character now...