"Die Hard: Year One" has been in development for some time and the latest iteration focuses on a young John McClane, prior to the events of the first film. Despite the focus on a younger character, director Len Wiseman confirms that Bruce Willis will still play a big role.
It was previously speculated that Willis would merely appear at the beginning and end as a book-end cameo, but it now appears that will not be the case. Speaking with /Film, Wiseman confirmed that the film would go back and forth between young and old McClane.
"He will be more present than that," Wiseman stated. "This character of course is modern day and the origin story if you can call it that has ramifications on present day McClane. What it's not is it's not a cameo bookend scenario. It's a prequel/sequel hybrid that I really haven't seen before and is incredibly different."
Wiseman's comments suggest that the film will involve two parallel stories instead of just focusing entirely on young McClane. Fans worry that the film would once again be too flashy with lots of explosions and with McClane portrayed as an invincible street cop, a common criticism against the latest movie, "A Good Day to Die Hard."
Wiseman addressed this issue as well and confirmed that "Die Hard: Year One" would be more grounded and less flashy, stating that McClane cannot be a big time hero since he only became famous during the events of the first film, whose events happen after "Year One."
Bruce Willis may also be joined by Bonnie Bedelia, who played McClane's wife, Holly. Wiseman explained that "Year One" may showcase how the two characters met and how their relationship developed to the point of separation, as seen in "Die Hard."
"Die Hard: Year One" is currently in development with no official release date yet attached.
