This is an AUTHENTIC HAND SIGNED ORIGINAL Vintage 8"x 10" color photo of American actor, producer, and singer, BRUCE WILLIS in the film "DIE HARD" featuring his autograph. Die Hard is a 1988 American action film directed by John McTiernan and written by Jeb Stuart and Steven E. de Souza. It stars Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Alexander Godunov, and Bonnie Bedelia. Based on the 1979 novel Nothing Lasts Forever by Roderick Thorp, Die Hard follows New York City police detective John McClane (Willis) who is caught up in the terrorist takeover of a Los Angeles skyscraper while visiting his estranged wife. The film also features Reginald Veljohnson, William Atherton, Paul Gleason, and Hart Bochner in supporting roles.
Desperate for work, Stuart was offered the job of adapting Thorp's novel into a screenplay. His finished draft was greenlit immediately by 20th Century Fox, who was eager for a big summer film for the following year. Finding a star proved difficult; the role of protagonist John McClane was offered to a host of the decade's top stars including Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone, all of whom turned it down. Willis, who was mainly known for his TV work, was not the studio's first choice. He was paid $5 million for the role, an unheard-of figure at the time. Filming began in November 1987 on a $25 million–$35 million budget. The script underwent changes throughout filming, including adding and changing scenes, and altering the ending. Die Hard was filmed almost entirely on location in and around Fox Plaza in Los Angeles.
Die Hard was considered a box office success on release, grossing between $139.8 million–$141.5 million and defying pre-release expectations that Willis' lack of star appeal would hurt the film's success. It was the tenth-highest-grossing film of 1988 and the highest-grossing action film. Reviews were mixed; criticism was levied at the violence, plot, and Willis' performance. Critics generally praised Rickman's performance as charismatic villain Hans Gruber. It received four Academy Awards nominations. The film is responsible for elevating Willis to film leading-man status and took Rickman from relative obscurity to celebrity.
The film is considered one of the greatest action films and Christmas films ever made. It evidenced that the action genre was not dead and redefined what an action hero could be; human and fallible instead of muscle-bound and invincible. The film's success spawned a host of imitators such that the term "Die Hard in/on a..." is used as a shorthand way of describing a film's plot, particularly one where a lone hero must fight overwhelming odds, often in a small environment. Die Hard is the first film in what would become the Die Hard franchise, that includes four film sequels—Die Hard 2, Die Hard with a Vengeance, Live Free or Die Hard, and A Good Day to Die Hard
Walter Bruce Willis (born March 19, 1955) is an American actor, producer, and singer. Born in Germany to a German mother and American father, Willis moved to the U.S. with his family when he was two years old. His career began on the off-Broadway stage in the 1970s. He achieved fame with a leading role on the comedy-drama series Moonlighting (1985–1989) and has since appeared in over 70 films, coming to be widely regarded as an action hero after his portrayal of John McClane in the Die Hard franchise (1988–2013) and other subsequent roles.
Willis' other credits include The Last Boy Scout (1991), Pulp Fiction (1994), 12 Monkeys (1995), The Fifth Element (1997), The Jackal (1997), Armageddon (1998), Mercury Rising (1998), The Sixth Sense (1999), Sin City (2005), Red (2010), The Expendables 2 (2012), Looper (2012), and as David Dunn in the Unbreakable trilogy: Unbreakable (2000), Split (2016), and Glass (2019).
This is an awesome autographed piece of entertainment memorabilia and will look great framed. This signed photo comes with a Certificate of Authenticity. All of the autographed items I have listed are from my personal collection. They were either obtained by me personally from the celebrity(s) or through a reputable dealer. If not satisfied with this item you may return it within 10 days. This photo is boldly signed and is in Xlt. condition. Any of the (LOGOS ON PICTURES ARE NOT ON ACTUAL PHOTO). Any flaws you might see in the picture other than mentioned are from my camera, not the photo itself! All photos are sent in either top loaders and/or archival acid free backer boards and clear plastic sleeves. Shipping and handling is $8.00 U.S, $18.00 Canada, OVERSEAS- OUTSIDE OF CANADA PLEASE EMAIL FOR S/H QUOTE AS IT COULD BE MORE. Insurance is extra cost. Seller not responsible for uninsured items. WE WILL COMBINE ORDERS TO SAVE YOU COSTS FOR S/H. We do our very best to ship items within 24 hours of payment being received. Email us if you have any questions regarding this item. 00-00-00 POP BK# 428B-20 CHECK OUT OUR MANY OTHER GREAT ITEMS LISTED!