Trailer Talk: 'A Good Day to Die Hard' Makes John McLane One More Action Hero

There’s a reason Bruce Willis’ John McClane character in “Die Hard” became an action hero icon. He bled, cursed and quipped his way into our hearts.

Now, with the upcoming “A Good Day to Die Hard,” it seems like Officer McClane is just another action hero.

The problem actually started with the last “Die Hard” sequel, “Live Free or Die Hard.” That movie mostly surrendered McClane’s Everyman status to make him a quasi-superhero.

Now, with our first look at the fifth film in the never say “Die” franchise, it’s like Willis is playing a part that could be filled by a Schwarzenegger, Seagal or Stallone. And that’s a mistake.

The problem with sequels is they have to get bigger and bigger, to paraphrase Dr. Seuss’ “The Lorax.” So that means shedding what makes McClane special in favor of massive explosions and more insane stunt work.

We’ll probably never see Willis picking shards of glass out of his foot once more as he did in the first film in the franchise, but if the new “Die Hard” brings the action most folks won’t care.