20th Century Fox is in discussions with Len Wiseman to have the “Live Free or Die Hard” director return to produce and direct a sixth installment in the unstoppable action franchise that would serve as a quasi-prequel for Bruce Willis‘ beloved cop character John McClane, an individual familiar with the situations has told TheWrap.
Lorenzo di Bonaventura would produce the new “Die Hard” with Wiseman because the film would rework a different project that was controlled by di Bonaventura. Wiseman pitched a new take incorporating the “Die Hard” mythology to di Bonaventura, who has a strong relationship with his “G.I. Joe: Retaliation” star Willis.
It wouldn’t be the first time the series has gone that route, as “Die Hard With a Vengeance,” was originally a spec script known as “Simon Says.”
In this new film, a younger McClane would be cast for a storyline set in New York City in 1979, though the film would also feature Willis as McClane in present day — though the actor doesn’t have a deal yet.
Wiseman’s 2007 sequel “Live Free or Die Hard” grossed $383 million worldwide and the most recent movie, “A Good Day to Die Hard,” grossed more than $300 million despite overwhelming negative reviews.
The news was first reported by Deadline.