‘Nothing Lasts Forever,’ The Book That Inspired DIE HARD, Coming Back Into Print

BruceWillisDieHardRoderick Thorp’s 1979 novel, Nothing Lasts Forever, is heading back into print. Although it sounds like the title for a James Bond adventure, the book actually served as the basis for the 1988 action blockbuster Die Hard.

The reissue, from Graymalkin Media in both paperback and ebook formats, is to mark the film’s 25th anniversary. The ebook will also contain copies of Thorp’s original notes for the novel.

Thorp’s novel was a sequel to his book The Detective, which was adapted for the silver screen in 1968 with Frank Sinatra in the title role. Through a clause in Sinatra’s contract, the singer-actor had first right of refusal to play the role, originally named John Leland, in any film sequel or adaptation of a novel sequel. Needless to say that Sinatra declined the part in the film, but try to imagine for a moment what it would have been like it if the 73-year-old Sinatra had taken the part.

After Sinatra passed on the part, the producers went to Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Burt Reynolds, Richard Gere, Harrison Ford and Mel Gibson, though they obviously all passed.

According to Graymalkin Media Owner and CEO David Zindel –

Die Hard very closely follows the book, so reading Nothing Lasts Forever gives fans the chance to enjoy the thrill of the Die Hard story in more detail, experience the scenes that didn’t make it into the film, and discover the novel’s shocking ending.

Interestingly, the first Die Hard film isn’t the only installment of the franchise to be based material originally created outside of the series. Die Hard 2: Die Harder has its origins in Walter Wagner’s thriller novel 58 Minutes, while 1995’s Die Hard: With A Vengeance originally started out as a possible third Lethal Weapon film.

Via Hollywood Reporter.

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About Rich Drees 7277 Articles
A film fan since he first saw that Rebel Blockade Runner fleeing the massive Imperial Star Destroyer at the tender age of 8 and a veteran freelance journalist with twenty-five years experience writing about film and pop culture. He is a member of the Philadelphia Film Critics Circle.
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