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Home , Bruce Willis, Die Hard, Die Hard (film series), Die Hard 2, Die Hard Trilogy, John McClane

Die Hard 2

Visit northern where scenes from this iconic were filmed. It’s Christmas Eve. John McClane, played by , is waiting for his wife to land at Washington Dulles International Airport when terrorists take over the air traffic control system. He must stop the terrorists before his wife’s plane, and several other incoming flights that are circling the airport, run out of fuel and crash.

Die Hard 2 (sometimes referred to as Die Hard 2: Die Harder), is a 1990 American and the second movie in the Die Hard film series. Die Hard 2 had a budget of $70 million and made $239.5 million worldwide, almost doubling that of the first film. problems and cost overruns. Initially, Tarmac scenes were filmed at the Star and distinguished Flying Cross, as director planned on using airport and featured many locals as well as an flying ace in the . the normally snowed-in Stapleton extras in shots inside the plane, during served as a International Airport in Denver as the the evacuation scenes, and on the refueling base for aircraft heading to primary location. But the snow melted tarmac. during WWII, and as an air base early in the season and the crew was for defense of the . Without forced to move farther north, to Moses Meet Odin, the official wildlife control the use of the Soo Locks, America could Lake, Washington. Unseasonably warm dog for Alpena County Regional not effectively operate its war machine. temperatures sent them packing again Airport. He has the serious duty of keep If the locks were bombed, ships carrying ALPENA COUNTY to Minnesota, which also did not have the runway clear of birds and other Upper Peninsula iron and copper ore REGIONAL AIRPORT any snow. Finally, they decided to film in animals so planes can land safely and to the mills of the lower lakes would be Alpena Alpena. Although there was some snow wildlife can stay healthy. unable to sail from . in Alpena while filming, they needed Numerous scenes from the movie were more and had to make artificial snow Some of the jets that were stationed filmed at Alpena County Regional before going further north to Michigan’s at Kinross were Northrop F-89H Airport, including the exterior shot Upper Peninsula town of Kinross. Scorpions, and Lockheed F-94B of the grating door on the runway. Starfires. After filming completed However, the weather in Alpena was “We went to four locations and as soon at this air force base, the crew and not as corporative as the crew hoped. as we got there, it stopped snowing,” production staff returned to L.A. where Temperatures dropped as low as -5 reported actor Bruce Willis. “So we final shooting was done on refrigerated degrees Fahrenheit the first night of had to pack up 150 guys and take them sound stages where they covered the shooting and four days later it was in somewhere else. We even considered ground with crushed ice to resemble the 60s. Lack of snow was at the heart going to Greenland. And that’s a true snow. of many of the production team’s story.” PHOTO: ALPENA CVB PHOTO: ALPENA CVB PHOTO: CHIPPEWA COUNTY AIRPORT

KINCHELOE AIR FORCE BASE Kinross Die Hard 2 doubles and crew filmed at this air force base for the scene showing a plane landing and rushing toward the screen. Kincheloe Air Force Base was a U.S. Air Force base during the . The base was named for Iven Kincheloe, an aeronautical engineer and test pilot from Michigan. Kincheloe was a recipient of the Silver tour. For more information, visit www. you away for an up close look at majestic by French missionaries in 1668, it is alpenashipwrecktours.com. elk. Afterwards, back at the Antler home to the historic Soo Looks and the WhileArea in Alpena attractions the cast and crew enjoyed Cabin, guests are greeted by a warm Soo Locks Boat Cruise, a top attraction the small-town charm of the community. NATIONAL fire, wine tasting and a five-course meal that has been offering exciting tours Alpena’s winding bike paths, locally owned MARINE SANCTUARY prepared in 100-year-old wood cook through the famous Soo Locks since restaurants and boutiques, taverns and Alpena stoves. It’s a phenomenal experience. 1934. Experience “locking through” parks offered a relaxing environment Alpena is home to the nation’s only where meets Lake Superior when filming wrapped each day. While freshwater preserve protecting an with a 21-foot drop in elevation. Cruise filming, Willis rented a historic private astounding 200 historic shipwrecks. alongside giant lake freighters and residence on the dignified State Avenue, Visitors can get an up close view by ocean vessels. It’s an experience you near Campbell Street, on the shore of Lake diving, snorkeling or kayaking the area. will never forget. For more information, Huron. Crew and production team filled Be sure to stop in at the visit www.soolocks.com. up the area’s many hotels. Maritime Heritage Center, a museum devoted to the history of the ships on the GLASS BOTTOM BOAT Great Lakes. Highlights include a wooden SHIPWRECK TOURS Great Lakes schooner and shipwreck Alpena where visitors can walk the decks, feel a PHOTO: CIRCLE MICHIGAN Beautiful and spooky at the same time. Great Lakes storm, and touch the massive There are dozens of wrecks in the timbers of the boat resting on the lake MILL CREEK DISCOVERY PARK Thunder Bay area of Lake Huron. The bottom…all without getting wet! Mackinaw City crystal-clear waters and large, glass Soar like an eagle on this zip lining bottom, viewing wells on the shipwreck INTERNATIONAL DARK SKY PARK adventure and trek though the treetops tours in Alpena allow you to dive into Alpena on the Adventure Tour! This special the wrecks, without getting wet. Learn Meet the stars of Alpena! Alpena is guided nature experience takes visitors the exciting tales of many famous ships, centrally located to three of Michigan’s over the Forest Canopy Bridge, down TAHQUAMENON FALLS the history, and legends and lore of newest officially designated Dark Sky the 425-foot Eagle’s Flight zip line, and Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Paradise Lake Huron aboard this unique boat Preserve Parks. This is the perfect place up the five-story Treetop Discovery These thundering waterfalls are one for dark sky viewing of constellations, climbing wall. For more information, of the largest waterfalls east of the aurora borealis, and meteor showers. visit www.mackinacparks.com/parks- Mississippi. It has a drop of nearly 50 and-attractions/historic-mill-creek- feet and is more than 200 feet across. THUNDER BAY RESORT discovery-park. A maximum flow of more than 50,000 ELK VIEWING gallons of water per second cascades Hillman SOO LOCKS BOAT CRUISE over to the river below. A sight to Thunder Bay Resort is known for its Sault Ste. Marie behold and worth the short trip—there award-winning Elk Viewing Dinner Ride Only 50 miles north of the beautiful are several miles of walking trails, a pub and Wine Tasting Adventure. You can is the oldest city in and brewery and gift shop. For more also board a horse-drawn carriage and Michigan and the third oldest city in information, visit www.michigandnr.

PHOTO: ALPENA CVB let a mighty team of draft horses whisk the U.S.—Sault Ste. Marie. Founded com/parksandtrails. GREAT LAKES SHIPWRECK PICTURED ROCKS BOAT CRUISE PHOTO: CIRCLE MICHIGAN MUSEUM Munising Whitefish Point About an hour to the west, you’ll come Be sure to check out this benchmark to the picturesque harbor town of shipwreck museum situated on the Munising. Nestled along the shores of largest of all the Great Lakes, Lake Lake Superior, Munising is home to Superior. Deceivingly beautiful, the famous Pictured Rocks Boat Tour. Lake Superior’s unrelenting fury has This narrated boat tour tells of stories earned the reputation of being the in stone as you cruise by towering most treacherous of the Great Lakes. formations of rock made from wind and Throughout the museum and theater, water. This is the spectacular Pictured visitors will see maritime legends Rocks National Lakeshore. It was voted come to life. Artifacts and exhibits by “Good Morning America” viewers tell stories of sailors and ships who as one of the top 10 most beautiful braved the waters of Superior and those places in America. When you take the who were lost to its menacing waves. boat tour, you’ll see why. For more One of the highlights in the museum information, visit www.picturedrocks. focuses on the story and legend of the com. For the more adventurous, country’s most famous shipwreck, the experience Pictured Rocks by kayak. PHOTO: CIRCLE MICHIGAN Edmund Fitzgerald. It is a hauntingly Join the Pictured Rocks Kayak KITCH-ITI-KIPI (THE BIG SPRING) HISTORIC FAYETTE beautiful exhibit and the complex Company for guided tours. Visit www. Palms Book State Park, Manistique Garden includes a lighthouse and lightkeepers paddlepicturedrocks.com for more Sixty-five miles south of Munising and Historic Fayette is Michigan’s only home, which is open to the public. information. For more information, visit www. just west of Manistique is Michigan’s restored ghost town and where the shipwreckmuseum.com. largest underground spring, Kitch-iti- Jackson Iron Company produced “pig kipi. An unbelievable 200 feet across iron” back in the 1800s. Hugging Snail and 42 feet deep, the big spring delivers Harbor, Fayette has a gorgeous setting 16,000 gallons of crystal clear water per among white limestone cliffs and the minute that gushes from fissures in the sparking blue waters of . underlying limestone at a constant 45 Stone structures with archway and degree Fahrenheit. The springnever alcoves resembles that of Spanish freezes over. You can ride the raft for architecture. Once a bustling company a beautiful view across the spring. town at the tip of the Garden Peninsula, This hidden gem in Michigan’s Upper the well-preserved buildings have been Peninsula is a must see! For more standing for nearly 150 years. For more information, visit www.uptravel.com/ information, visit www.michigandnr. member-110/kitch-iti-kipi-(the-big- com/parksandtrails/Details. spring)-5932.html. aspx?type=SPRK&id=417 PHOTO: CHRIS WINTERS/GREAT LAKES SHIPWRECK HISTORICAL SOCIETY PHOTO: CHRIS WINTERS/GREAT out for the part, including Sylvester and in the original Die Hard movie. Sort of Major Grant’s commando team is Stallone, , , ironic, since lack of snow was definitely a referred to as “Blue Light.” This was the and . problem causing the airport scenes to be name of a real-life U.S. military anti- DID YOU filmed at a half dozen different locations terrorist team formed within the U.S. According to actor, John Leguizamo, around the country. Army Rangers in the 1970s. KNOW? his role in Die Hard 2 was intended to be much larger until the filmmakers Reginald Vel Johnson said that after his An interesting tidbit about Bruce Willis: realized how short he was. His part appearances in the first two Die Hard Acting helped him to overcome a was cut down to one line which was films, he would be frequently teased by childhood stutter. Willis revealed, “I had a dubbed by someone else. and people on the street for his terrible stutter. But then I did some theater character’s obsession with Twinkies, with in high school and when I memorized For his part in the movie, Bruce Willis Local actor, Darrel Kelly Milligan, from some people even going so far as to buy words, I didn’t stutter, which was just was paid $7.5 million. Alpena, tells a funny story, “I was a Twinkies and throw them into his car miraculous. That was the beginning of the fireman in the movie. We were all in place while he was inside. gradual dispelling of my stutter. I thought I One of the writers of the screenplay, on the set outside in the cold with fire, was handicapped. I couldn’t talk at all. I still During filming, actor told Steven E. de Souza, later admitted that the fake snow blowing around which was stutter around some people now.” Steven E. de Souza (screenwriter) that villains were based on America’s Central laundry detergent. Man, that stuff burned the amount of four-letter words in the Bruce Willis’s performance as John American meddling, primarily the Iran– the eyes. The extras, including me, had screenplay was excessive and he thought McClane in the is ranked Contra affair. to be near the fires and plane parts that it made the movie seem unintentionally No. 46 on Premiere Magazine’s “100 they set up to imitate a plane wreck. The funny and hard to take seriously. Steven Greatest Movie Characters of All Time.” Alpena Airport in star, Bruce Willis, refused to do the scene reviewed the script again and agreed to was chosen for filming because of its because he had to be too close to the remove some of the curse words. A great story from Alpena actor Robert propensity for snowfall, but due to fire. I thought that was funny because all unseasonably good weather, a lack of Centala: “As an extra, I was the first one of the extras including me, had to be a Die Hard 2 was filmed in Alpena during the to slide down the emergency shoot. We snowfall before and during filming meant lot closer to it than he did, and we were artificial snow had to be used throughout. late winter and a warm front came through did have a big controversy because the getting $10 an hour and he was making bring . The plane they had just painted director’s Die Hard hat he received from Die Hard 2 was the first film to use millions. Production was on hold for began to streak with color running down Bruce Willis turned up missing. As all the digitally composited live-action footage hours until they reached a compromise.” the sides. All the soap flakes (and later extras were sitting on the plane during with a traditional that had instant potato flakes) used to make snow, one of the filming sessions, he got up in In the first Die Hard movie (1988), actor been photographed and scanned into a mixed with the rain and turned the ground front of everyone and gave a speech about Bruce Willis had only a few scripted one- computer. It was used for the last scene, around the set to mush. how special it was and that he wanted it liners. Willis ad-libbed so many one liners which took place on the runway. back. He said whoever took it, just put it and audiences liked them so much, that Screenwriter Steven de Souza, revealed back, no questions asked. The director was in Die Hard 2 more gags were added and Black & Decker paid to have its cordless that the studio filmed a second plane crash mad. Well, I noticed the guy sitting in front Willis was told he could ad-lib as many as drill featured in a scene with actor sequence. Why did they do this? De Souza of me whispering and getting faced Bruce Willis. When the scene was cut he saw fit. revealed that the studio wanted to shot and sweaty, he was the one who took it from the finished film, the company a second plane crash in which far fewer The confrontation scene between John and was afraid to give it back. I told him I sued 20th Century Fox in the first-ever innocent people would die. The studio McClane and William Sadler on the would say I found it and put it back. But, product placement lawsuit for a film. The insisted, “You can’t kill all those people. We’ll people were drinking a little bit on the airplane’s wing took several nights to $150,000 claim was settled out of court. lose the audience. It has to be a UPS plane.” plane and he didn’t want anyone to kick shoot. Giant fans were used to blow in They filmed a model UPS plane crashing his butt, so I had to take the hat from him Die Hard 2 won the BMI Film Music Award the fake snow in the background due to as another option in case the audience and put it back so the director got it back. for 1990. the lack of real snow. left the theater after the plane crashed in He was very thankful when I told him what the original filming. Fortunately, audiences Before Bruce Willis landed the role of In Die Hard 2, the Christmas song “Let happened, and maybe that’s why I got in loved the movie at a test screening and John McClane in the original Die Hard It Snow!” is sung by Vaughn Monroe; the the scene for my three or four seconds!” production kept the original plane crash. movie, other big name actors were sought same song plays both at the end of this film The Michigan Film and Digital Media Office (MFDMO) was created in 1979 to assist and attract incoming production companies and to promote the growth of Michigan’s indigenous industry. Since its inception, the MFDMO commissioner has been responsible for implementing a program that lives within the parameters of Michigan law and works to ensure the program runs efficiently and effectively. Today, the MFDMO is working diligently to guarantee the film and digital media program accomplishes key results of private investment and workforce development by encouraging high wages, high-tech jobs and talent retention.

Die Hard 2 tour is the sole property of the Michigan Film & Digital Media Office. Special thanks to Janet Kasic of Circle Michigan for content creation.

[email protected]  tel 800 477 3456  fax 517 241 3689  MichiganFilmOffice.org

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