die hard 4.0 Tagged Articles at Cinematical

A brand new UK trailer has just been released for Live Free or Die Hard (or, as they're calling it across the pond, Die Hard 4.0), but this one is so much better than the recent American version. Not only does it give us some substantial plot information, but for the first time since the sequel was announced, I finally felt the Die Hard flavor -- complete with what's sure to be some memorable John McClaine (Bruce Willis) lines. Sure, the special effects (which include a fighter jet chasing McClaine on a highway) seem -- how shall I say it -- just a tad tacky, but the flick looks fun ... and, really, that's what's important.

Based on some McClaine dialogue (which is eerily similar to his "Fly out to the coast, have a few laughs" quip from the original Die Hard), it appears his latest adventure kicks off when he's asked to transport a kid (Justin Long) from New Jersey to Washington, D.C. Only problem is, there are some pretty nasty bad guys (and girls) out to whack the poor dude from those Mac commercials. In the meantime, Timothy Olyphant heads up a group hell-bent on shutting down the entire country via some sort of computer terrorism, and McClaine winds up, once again, being the right guy in the wrong place. Oh, and then there's Kevin Smith -- featured prominently in the trailers, although his character probably shows up for all of about three minutes -- who acts as a computer expert that speaks in a language John McClaine doesn't understand. Gee, didn't see that line coming from a mile away. All in all, I'm pretty stoked for the film (which arrives in theaters on June 27); are you?

I'll let you in on a not-very-surprising piece of information: I'm a huge Bruce Willis fan. Have been ever since I saw my first episode of Moonlighting, and I've had a pretty good time following the guy's career in the intervening decades. From the highs (Die Hard, Pulp Fiction, 12 Monkeys, The Sixth Sense, Sin City) to the lows (Look Who's Talking Too, Color of Night, The Whole Ten Yards) to a whole lot of "in-betweeners," I've always enjoyed the guy's blue-collar gruffness, sly sarcasm and grumpy charm. And since the biological clock is ticking on Willis' action-star career, I'm pretty darn psyched to check out Len Wiseman's Live Free or Die Hard.

Yeah, I know: Seems a bit late in the game for another Die Hard installment, blah blah, etc. I don't care. I'm a fan and I won't let something like age or logic get in the way of my happiness -- at least not until the movie comes out and (maybe) sucks. Anyway, check out this rather quick-cut and action-centric international teaser for what's being called Die Hard 4.0 overseas. Unfortunately, the American version is still being called Live Free or Die Hard. The film's primary villain will be played by Timothy Olyphant, and the actor recently implied to us that there might be an homage to the great Alan Rickman somewhere in his performance. Also on board is Maggie Q as the villain's girlfriend, and Justin Long as McClane's young sidekick. The film opens on June 29.

Okay, the first time I read this story I thought it was a joke. They can't be serious. They can't be this cheesy. After referring to it as Die Hard 4, then Die Hard 4: Die Hardest, then Die Hard 4.0, then Die Hard: Reset (My favorite so far, btw), the (final?) title of the fourth Die Hard installment will be -- I can't believe I'm writing this -- Live Free or Die Hard. No, that's not the name of your favorite 80's hair-band song ... although it would make for a great Bon Jovi tune. Soundtrack? Jovi? (I know you Jersey folks just leaned in a bit closer.)

Aside from the announcement of that new ridiculous title, 20th Century Fox also nailed down a release date for the flick. Live Free or Die Hard will hit theaters next summer on June 29, joining Michael Bay's Transformers and Pixar's Ratatouille as the only other pics scheduled to bow around that time. Fox felt the timing was necessary, as the film's storyline takes place on or around July 4. While Bruce Willis is officially reprising his role as John McClane, there's been no word yet on any truth to the rumor Justin Long will be joining him. Mark your calendars and start collecting those fireworks folks, because next fourth of July is lining up to be one heck of a blast from the past.

We all know by now that movie news comes from just about anywhere. Take, for example, this latest bit of info regarding the upcoming Die Hard 4.0. Not long ago, we brought you the scoop on a script review of the film provided to us by those clever little spies over on AICN. Well, now it seems a pivotal part of the script has been changed and, personally, I think it's for the better. (Warning: Possible SPOILERS ahead).

Turns out some dude was flying from Los Angeles to Baltimore over the Fourth of July weekend. While hanging out in first class, the spy realized sitting in front of him was none other than Len Wiseman, director of Die Hard 4.0. Alongside Wiseman was Patrick Tatoupolous and possibly a line producer. During the flight, the spy was able to catch a brief glimpse of some sketch art which featured an overturned truck. Sweet! John McClane fights trucks!

Oh, but then the big news came. When the spy built up enough courage to ask about John McClane's son being in the film, whoever it was sitting next to him said that character was no longer in the script. Instead, McClane's son has been replaced by a computer hacker who is released from jail in order to help our hero fight the bad guys. To me, this is a much better move than forcing the audience to believe McClane's son just happens to be some big computer hacker. Now, things become interesting as, for the first time, McClane will be partnering up with someone a lot smarter than he is, when it comes down to the situation at hand. Plus, his sidekick will be younger and a criminal. Yup, I'm excited.

Hot on the heels of the Die Hard 4.0 (What is with these idiotic, vaguely software-looking numbers in movie titles? Who thinks that's a good idea?) script review that Erik told us about yesterday comes a bit of muttering about the movie's cast. A tipster to entertainment site Cinescape who claims to be auditioning for a part in the movie says he's been told by his agent that one Scott Speedman has been cast as the movie's main evil web nerd villain. You know, the guy who played really sweet, semi-pathetic Ben on Felicity? And the sort of pathetic vampire/werewolf thing in Underworld? That Scott Speedman.

As commenters at Cinescape point out, the guy hasn't exactly proved that he's got the magnetism and charisma necessary to be an effective villain, particularly when he's going to be compared to the gleefully evil geniuses who came before him in the series. I have to admit that I like watching Speedman but, friends, extreme prettiness does not a convincing villain make. ...

[via JoBlo]

One of the downsides to writing for a movie news website is that you need to be on top of the latest everything. When I was younger and would hear about a really cool-sounding film, I would immediately shut off my ears from any further info. I loved being surprised. Now, there is no surprise. Most likely, I know entire plots before the film even begins shooting. However, it's a small price  to pay -- I love what I do.

In saying all that, a script review (based off Doug Richardson's revision of Mark Bomback's draft) for Die Hard 4.0 has popped up over on AICN and, if the draft Merrick read is current, the movie appears to be quite epic. Look, I love Die Hard (specifically parts 1 and 3). And it really was hard for me to read the entire review because, well, part of me wants to be surprised. In the end, I caved. I ruin films. That's my job. Hehe. Since the recent news that vampire director Les Wiseman has been tapped to direct Die Hard's fourth installment, everyone has John McClane on the brain. While we knew the plot had something to do with an internet terrorist ring, this review goes into a lot more detail. Without giving up too much (Warning: Depending on how wimpy you are, the following might contain spoilers), Bruce Willis' sidekick in the film will indeed be his son. His computer hacking thief of a son, that is. I shouldn't really say anymore -- cough -- end of the world computer virus and government conspiracies find father and son on the run and trying to save the day at the same time. Damn it! I need to restrain myself more. Sorry. Die Hard 4.0 could begin shooting as early as this September. Yippekayay!