Question 1

True or false: 'Die Hard' was considered a box office failure upon its initial release.

Accepted Answer

False. It was a massive hit, grossing over $140 million worldwide on a $28 million budget, launching Willis's movie career.

Question 2

True or false: Alan Rickman's Hans Gruber was originally offered to Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Accepted Answer

False. Hans Gruber was written for a British actor. Rickman was cast after a stage audition; Schwarzenegger was never considered for the role.

Question 3

True or false: John McClane's famous line 'Yippee-ki-yay' was improvised by Bruce Willis.

Accepted Answer

False. The line is directly from Roderick Thorp's novel 'Nothing Lasts Forever.' Willis delivered it as written, though he added his own inflection.

Question 4

True or false: 'Die Hard' was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

Accepted Answer

False. It received four Oscar nominations: Best Editing, Best Sound, Best Visual Effects, and Best Sound Effects Editing—but not for screenplay.

Question 5

True or false: Hans Gruber's fall from Nakatomi Plaza was filmed using a stunt double.

Accepted Answer

True. Alan Rickman was dropped from 40 feet on a count of three, but the stunt double was used for the actual fall. Rickman's terrified reaction was real for the close-up.

Question 6

True or false: 'Die Hard' was originally a sequel to the 1968 film 'The Detective.'

Accepted Answer

True. The novel 'Nothing Lasts Forever' was a sequel to 'The Detective.' 20th Century Fox bought the rights and cast Bruce Willis as John McClane, making it an unofficial sequel.

Question 7

True or false: The character Argyle, the limo driver, was added to provide comic relief in the script.

Accepted Answer

False. Argyle was a last-minute addition by director John McTiernan to give McClane a relatable ally, not just comic relief. His role was expanded during filming.

Question 8

True or false: The film was shot entirely on a single soundstage at 20th Century Fox.

Accepted Answer

True. Nearly all interior Nakatomi Plaza scenes were filmed on Fox's Stage 8. The exterior was a miniature model; no real building was used for the action.

Die Hard Trivia Questions