“The casting was just perfect.” That’s almost always the wording used for a classic film that has influenced many over the years and inspired generations to come. However, so few times do audiences think back and wonder what would a movie look like if it was cast today?
Now, recasting something as what has been hailed as one of the greatest action movies (and daresay Christmas film) ever made, Die Hard, seems like an impossible feat, not to mention reimaging some of the franchise’s best characters. That being said, it’s interesting to imagine if these actors would fit into the roles if John McTierenen was to make Die Hard today.
Dwayne “The Rock“ Johnson And Kevin Hart As Agents Johnson And Johnson
While most castings start at the top, this one begins at the bottom, with two characters that most people probably don’t remember, the obnoxious and wild card FBI Agents Johnson and Johnson (no relation). Now, by today’s standards, there’s one duo who could really fit the role: The Rock and Kevin Hart.
Yes, it may not be everyone’s obvious choice but what made Johnson and Johnson so unique was their attitudes. One was gung-ho, the other cool and collected. The Rock and Hart, although equally flamboyant, can contrast one another in more ways than one while also working well together as well as giving Kevin Hart some of his best roles.
Anthony Mackie As Theo
Now. all audiences remember the best villain in the film and even the entirety of the Die Hard franchise, Hans Gruber. Yet, how many recall his sidekicks and fellow team members, such as hacker Theo who Anthony Mackie could play nicely.
Mackie has a record of playing a good, with his role as Sam Wilson and Falcon in the MCU having pleased many fans. So seeing him take on the role of a gleefully evil and intelligent hacker would be a nice change of pace for an actor who’s only really played the hero.
James Hong As Nakatomi’s Chief Executive
Sometimes there are characters whose sole purpose in a movie is to bite the big one. These death prone characters don’t last long and yet do leave a kind of impression on the audience, such as Joseph Takagi, the head honcho of the Nakatomi plaza.
No one’s better suited to take on the role than prolific actor James Hong who can balance drama, comedy, and even malice brilliantly. Even if he’s only on screen for a short period of time, Hong could captivate audiences with his performance before departing this world.
Jake Johnson As Harry Ellis
Every movie needs an obnoxious character and honestly, Die Hard’s got a pretty decent amount of them, including the cocaine addled businessman, Harry Ellis (a reason perhaps that maybe the series hasn’t aged that well). A spineless loudmouth who nearly gets John killed and ends up dying himself, truthfully no one should really play him.
Yet, as with all films, every role needs an actor. Jake Johnson, who, while not an overly obnoxious actor, could fit the role and be able to play as the annoying businessman to a tee not to mention kind of looking like Harry Ellis.
Jon Hamm As Deputy Police Chief Dwayne T. Robinson
Beyond Harry Ellis, there’s a second somewhat annoying character in Die Hard, although for a different reason. Deputy Police Chief Robinson isn’t as loudmouthed as Ellis but his need to be in control puts him at odds with both Jon and Sgt.Powell.
Jon Hamm, an Emmy-winning actor from his time on Mad Men can prove himself to be that kind of character, someone so caught up in ambition he lets it cloud his judgment and pride.
Kristofer Hiviu As Karl
Villains need a good henchman and most audiences recall Hans Gruber’s number one man, Karl, the hulking figure who took on McClane in a fit of revenge following his brother’s death.
Thinking of Kristofer Hiviu as Tormund Giantsbane from Game of Thrones may not invoke the most violent thoughts of men like Karl but his role as a silent baddie in Fate of The Furious does set the bar for him being a great henchman and baddie, especially with a beard trim.
Oliver Jackson-Cohen As Richard Thornburg
Remember that time when the teacher was about to let the students out early only for one student to remind them that they get out in another ten minutes? Reporter Richard Thornburg is like that times ten, who, mere moments before the heroes were about to win, mucked everything up.
So, who else better to cast than Oliver Jackson-Cohen? The actor has some fantastic range, with being able to convey emotion as in the horror show Haunting of Hill House and malice/self-preservation as he did in The Invisible Man making him the perfect jerk for this Thornburg.
Aldis Hodge As Argyle
Lesser-known actors can oftentimes make a bigger splash when given a decent role. Although Aldis Hodge is getting some more attention these days, he got his start on the show Leverage as a hacker with awkward humor and excellent quotes as Hardison that audiences will always remember.
While maybe he would work as Theo, the awkwardness and sense of humor would make him work better for driver Argyle. While not necessarily a massive role, it could give Hodge the boost he needs.
Emily Blunt As Holly Gennaro
Ok, the “castings” of Holly Gennaro and John McClane may be the more controversial ones on this casting list. On the surface, Emily Blunt doesn’t look like Holly Gennaro or seems like the kind of actress to be the damsel in distress.
Yet, if one was to look deeper into Gennaro, they would see that she’s not the typical damsel in distress. Throughout the film, she showcases being calm under pressure and standing up for herself and the other hostages against Hans Gruber, something Blunt, like in any of her roles, could embody.
Lil Rel Howery As Sgt. Al Powell
Casting someone like Sgt. Powell is a tough task to take on, given that his role was so well done, with him serving as both a comedic element and also including a bit of a more emotional side to him.
Lil Rel Howery, although maybe not the best choice, is probably known best for Get Out, where he portrayed the friend of the main characters who provided some comic relief yet served as an emotional weight for Chris, a bit like Powell.
Alexander Skarsgard As Hans Gruber
Look, to recast what is probably one of Alan Rickman’s most iconic roles(not to mention his first) is definitely tricky. It requires finding someone who has the same sense of evil but can also appear charming and be intelligent.
On the surface, Alex Skarsgard doesn’t seem the obvious choice, given his checkered past of films. Yet, his performance as Perry, an abusive husband in the hit series Big Little Lies and one of the actor’s best roles, showed that he can be evil, manipulative, and even somewhat charming.
John Krasinski As John McClane
Believe it or not, John Krasinski and Bruce Willis have more in common than people think. Before they both blew up on the scene, they were both doing series, comedies, where they were made out to be these dad type figures.
That’s what makes Die Hard so great, that it’s not Arnold or Stallone blasting through the building but essentially someone’s dad taking on a terrorist. Who better than Jim from the office coupled with some Jack Ryan skills to take on the iconic role?
