In one of the coolest alternate castings we’ve ever heard, directors originally wanted Frank Sinatra to play original action hero John McClane. This was the case during auditions for the 1988 action blockbuster “Die Hard.” As the movie neared its premiere, Sinatra was approaching his 73rd birthday, making his potential casting a fascinating subject of speculation. The character of John McClane, however, had origins that trace back to the 1966 book “Nothing Lasts Forever,” authored by Roderick Thorp, which was adapted into the film.
Author Roderick Thorp’s novel provided the template for one of the greatest action franchises of all time. It was so promising of a prospect, in fact, that 20th Century Fox bought the adaptation rights to “Nothing Lasts Forever” before the book was even finished. This acquisition came with a unique stipulation: due to a previous contract arrangement, Sinatra was contractually obligated to be offered the role of McClane, originally conceived as Joe Leland, a character from Thorp’s earlier work, “The Detective.”
The 1968 crime film The Detective was the last major film to star Sinatra, who played a hardboiled New York City cop. It was sold as “the adult version of a police detective show. The link to “Die Hard” really jumps out, though. At first, the character was going to be called John Ford, but they eventually decided to make the change to Leland. Sinatra was still attached to “Die Hard” at the start. Interestingly, he refused the appointment when he was 70 years old.
Curiously, Sinatra had earlier turned down much more important leading roles in action movies. He’s legendary to this day for having turned down the lead role in “Dirty Harry” because he thought he’d have to carry too large a gun. His decision not to do “Die Hard” opened up a terrific part for Bruce Willis. In turn, Willis was forever linked to the beloved character. Willis wasn’t the first choice to play McClane. Some of the biggest stars of the time, including Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mel Gibson, Kurt Russell and Burt Reynolds all passed on the role before him.
While the original “Die Hard” was shot through with the post-”Rambo” action-adventure zeitgeist, separating it from previous entries in the field. Its release signaled the start of a new style of action film, bringing violence and practical effects together with clever writing and deep characterization.
While Sinatra may not have been a part of the production, his impact on film more widely has continued to be felt. There’s no doubt he will forever be remembered for his larger-than-life performances and musical contributions. Though he ultimately passed on the role of McClane, his connections to the franchise still run deep. Film buffs remain fascinated by his contractual obligations and back work.
“Well Did You Evah?” – From the song in the movie “High Society”
As movies like “Die Hard” helped redefine the genre, the movie became an instrumental touchstone since gradually expanding the scope of action flicks. The movie’s success demonstrated that audiences were ready for a more complex hero—one who could deliver one-liners like “Yippee Ki Yay… Toots” while navigating intense situations.
The story of Frank Sinatra and “Die Hard” serves as a reminder of how different decisions can change the course of cinematic history. Even at 70, Sinatra’s association with this then-breathtaking modern classic speaks to his remarkable vitality in mid-20th century Hollywood.
