Random 'Die Hard' Fan Theories (14 items)

• 

  (#12) The Franchise Takes Place In The Matrix 

  In the fourth movie in the franchise, Live Free or Die Hard, we are introduced to computer hacker Matt Farrell (Justin Long). McClane is hired by the FBI to track him down, but things don’t go according to plan. Redditor /u/darkamyy’s fan theory suggests that the entire movie takes place within the Matrix and that Farrell is actually a version of Neo (Keanu Reeves) if Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) hadn’t contacted him. 

  The theory backs this up by pointing out all of the power outages, suggesting this is the result of Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) and his team trying to shut down the system and wake up more people. Agents are trying to get to Farrell before he realizes his potential as Neo or because they believe he can lead them to Morpheus. 

  Additionally, McClane seems to be able to bend the rules of the Matrix. Most movie fans accept the action-packed stunts Willis pulls off in this film as added entertainment value, but this Redditor has suggested a different theory. They think McClane is either an agent or was given the abilities of one to avoid suspicion while working for them to get Farrell. 
• 

  (#1) Gruber Planned To Eliminate His Henchmen

  One of the plot holes in Die Hard that fans like to point out is the fact that the getaway vehicle wouldn’t have been able to fit all of the terrorists. Not even close! The ambulance is far too small, especially considering that it would also be packed with stacks of bank bonds. Redditor /u/thistlemusic has a theory that just might explain the situation.

  As we know, Gruber’s plan was to force all of the hostages onto the building’s roof and blow it up to make sure the police thought it was a terrorist attack. Even though McClane ends up taking out most of his men - leaving plenty of room in the ambulance - Gruber couldn't have expected that to occur. However, he may not have intended to make his getaway with his henchmen anyway.

  This Redditor suggests that Gruber planned to set off the detonator while his henchmen were still on the roof, ensuring the body count would be higher than the number of hostages. By doing this, it would confirm to police that terrorists were behind the attack and they intentionally took their own lives in the explosion. Gruber could then make his getaway with the cash and no one would be the wiser.
• 

  (#6) McClane Is Actually Kevin McCallister All Grown Up

  Ever wonder what kind of person Home Alone’s Kevin McCallister grew up to be? According to Reddit user /u/kkbodz17, that mischievous kid grew up to be the rebellious New York City police officer McClane. It may seem farfetched, but the evidence laid out in this theory is pretty solid. 

  In addition to the two having a unique way of using their surroundings to take down criminals, there are also similarities in their personalities. They each tend to talk to themselves and have their own catchphrases. Isn’t “Keep the change, you filthy animal” kind of a youthful version of “Yippee-ki-yay, mother f***er?"

  The theory claims that McCallister changed his name and moved to New York to get away from his dysfunctional family. After seeing how good he was at taking down Marv and Harry, he decided to join the NYPD. He then attempted to start a family but, having an unhealthy family model, drove his wife away.

  When Christmas came around, the memories of being left home alone started to haunt him, so McClane (formerly McCallister) decided to go to Los Angeles to win back his wife. Remember McClane’s fear of flying? This theory points out that his fear developed after losing his family in the airport as a child and flying to a strange city all alone. What do you think?
• 

  (#3) McClane Is Immortal

  Many Die Hard fan theories revolve around the fact that McClane is able to get himself out of impossible situations alive and unscathed. Some believe he’s a god, but Redditor /u/Albata3 suggests he’s simply immortal. It takes him a while to realize this, but in the most recent Die Hard films, he seems to know he can’t perish. 

  To further prove this theory, the Redditor connects the Die Hard franchise to The Fifth Element. They suggest that McClane lives long into the future, eventually becoming Korben Dallas (also played by Willis). This is evident in their similar personality traits and disregard for authority figures. 

  Additionally, this theory could explain why Dallas isn’t so great with the technological gadgets of the future, as well as the long list of weapons he has experience using. The Redditor also points out that Dallas’s calm and cool exterior may be a response to the fact that he’s seen everything a dozen times over and knows he’s immortal. 
• 

  (#13) It’s In The Same Universe As Other Willis Films

  If you’ve seen the 2000 film Unbreakable, then you’re familiar with Willis’s character David Dunn. After a tragic train accident, he discovers several unique abilities, including superhuman strength and mind-reading. This movie exists in the same universe as Split and Glass, both of which Willis appears in. 

  Redditor /u/Multi_Sharp believes the universe is even larger and includes the Die Hard franchise, as well. The fan theory claims that after McClane’s divorce from Holly, he goes undercover and assumes a new identity. Between the events of Die Hard 2 and Die Hard with a Vengeance, Dunn (formerly McClane) meets and marries Audrey (Robin Wright Penn), and the two have a son. The film Unbreakable takes place sometime after Die Hard with a Vengeance and before Live Free or Die Hard, after which Dunn is able to get his powers under control.

  He eventually returns to his former life as McClane and reunites with his children from his first marriage to Holly. Afterward, he takes on life as a vigilante, which is what we get a glimpse of when Willis makes a brief cameo in Split. According to this fan theory, McClane keeps his two children a secret from Audrey, which allows him to live a double life. 
• 

  (#10) McClane Saves His Wife From Capitalistic Greed

  Redditor /u/HanzGoober believes McClane may have been in Los Angeles to do more than save his marriage. He may have also been trying to save his wife, Holly Gennero-McClane (Bonnie Bedelia), from a life consumed by money and greed. 

  According to this Redditor, the adverse effects of capitalism are subtly illustrated by the head executive of Nakatomi Corporation, Joseph Yoshinobu Takagi (James Shigeta), who is the original villain of the film. However, when Gruber's goons take over the building, they eliminate Takagi and replace him as the villain in the story. This is confirmed by Harry Ellis (Hart Bochner) when he compares terrorists to capitalists, saying, “Hey, business is business. You use a gun, I use a fountain pen, what's the difference?” 

  When Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) ultimately falls to his demise, he takes Holly’s watch with him, symbolizing her liberation from capitalism. The Redditor also points out that the company’s employees are hostages when Gruber takes over, but in a way, they were always hostages. By working for Takagi to take over parts of the world and ultimately destroy its infrastructure for financial gain, they’re working for a terrorist. Whether that makes them prisoners of capitalism or villains themselves is up to you.

New Random Displays    Display All By Ranking