Synopsis

Suspended New York detective John McClane is forced back into action when a bomber calling himself Simon threatens to detonate explosives across the city. Ordered to play a deadly version of "Simon Says," McClane reluctantly teams with Harlem shopkeeper Zeus Carver. As the pair race through Manhattan solving clues, they uncover a scheme targeting the gold reserves beneath the Federal Reserve Bank.

Factoids & Trivia

• The screenplay began as an unrelated project titled "Simon Says." It was developed through several proposed versions before being rewritten as a "Die Hard" sequel.

• Unlike the first two films, the story takes place during the summer rather than around Christmas. The change helped give the series a broader, more urban scale.

• Much of the film was shot on location in New York City, including Central Park, Yankee Stadium, Broadway, and the Financial District. Additional filming took place in South Carolina and Maryland.

• The Federal Reserve Bank robbery drew on real details about the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Screenwriter Jonathan Hensleigh researched the institution through published material.

• The film was released on May 19, 1995, and became the highest-grossing movie worldwide that year, earning more than $366 million.

• The theatrical version's use of a racist message on McClane's sandwich board was created digitally rather than printed on the sign used during location filming. Some television versions substituted the phrase "I hate everybody."