It has been noted that Bruce Willis’ performance in the iconic action film Die Hard has been praised by director/cinematographer Jan de Bont, who recently appeared on the “A Cinematic Christmas Journey” podcast to discuss the film’s lasting impact via OK Magazine.
35 years after its release, Die Hard continues to resonate with audiences and solidify Willis’ status as an action star. It has come to light that in the podcast’s season 2 finale, de Bont, who served as the cinematographer on Die Hard, sat down with co-host Peter Billingsley to reflect on the film.
According to de Bont, Willis was the perfect choice to bring something new to the action genre.
Die Hard, the highly debatable Christmas movie, is known for its intense and thrilling action sequences, but de Bont credits Willis with adding a levity to the set that created a unique dynamic.
“Bruce was so funny,” de Bont admitted. “I broke a few takes by laughing because he was just hilarious.”
During the shooting process of Die Hard, the crew wrote a lot of the dialogue, which created a collaborative and creative atmosphere on set as mentioned by Billingsley. De Bont revealed that Willis fully embraced this technique, and his comedic timing and delivery added a new dimension to the film.
Die Hard marked Willis’ breakthrough in his career, and the movie has become a timeless classic in the action genre. The film’s thrilling action sequences combined with Willis’ comedic talent has ensured its enduring popularity.
The “A Cinematic Christmas Journey” podcast, on which de Bont shared his thoughts on “Die Hard,” has been well-received by film enthusiasts. The show’s first two seasons are currently available for streaming on Spotify.