Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s latest Christmas action-comedy, Red One, may have faced challenges at the box office, but it has garnered attention for a subtle nod to Bruce Willis’ iconic 1988 film, Die Hard. The film, co-starring Chris Evans and J.K. Simmons, reimagines the Christmas movie genre with a high-octane rescue mission centered around Santa Claus, played by Simmons, who has been abducted by a villain.
Despite its starkly different premise, Red One pays tribute to Die Hard in a scene where Simmons’ Santa is seen crawling through air vents to deliver presents. This moment closely mirrors a legendary scene in Die Hard, where Bruce Willis’ John McClane navigates the air vents of Nakatomi Plaza while evading terrorists. The Die Hard sequence is particularly famous for McClane’s sarcastic quip: “Come out to the coast, have a few laughs,” delivered while lighting his way with a cigarette lighter.
According to sources, the tribute was the idea of Red One director Jake Kasdan, a longtime fan of Die Hard. Dwayne Johnson, a self-proclaimed admirer of Willis, was reportedly enthusiastic about including the homage. This isn’t the first time Dwayne Johnson has drawn inspiration from Willis’ action-packed filmography. His 2018 film Skyscraper was also heavily influenced by Willis’ Die Hard and other classic action movies from the 1980s. At the time, Dwayne Johnson spoke about his admiration for these films, describing them as inspirations that shaped his career and cinematic vision.
While the nod to Die Hard has been appreciated by fans of the genre, Red One has struggled to find its footing commercially. Released on November 15, the film opened to a disappointing $32.1 million against a massive $250 million budget. Despite its star-studded cast and holiday-themed premise, the movie has received a lukewarm reception, holding a 34% score on Rotten Tomatoes. International markets have provided some respite, contributing $55 million to the film’s projected $100 million gross.
In the lead-up to its release, Dwayne Johnson invited criticism for comparing Red One to Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer. He revealed that Nolan’s Oscar-winning film inspired him to shoot Red One in IMAX and aim for a major theatrical release. While the comparisons were met with skepticism, they highlighted Dwayne Johnson’s ambition to create a visually striking action film.
Despite its mixed reviews, Red One serves as a testament to Dwayne Johnson’s continued efforts to blend action with heartfelt storytelling, all while paying homage to the cinematic legends who inspired him.
