Clint Eastwood originally owned the rights to the novel "Nothing Lasts Forever" on which the film is based, and planned to star in the film around the early 1980s.

Richard Gere turned down the lead role.

Due to the huge sucess of Miami Vice, Johnson was offered the part of John McClane. However, he had just signed a new deal on the TV show (which made him the highest paid actor on TV at that time)and that new deal stopped him taking the part.

Burt Reynolds turned down the lead role.

Arnold Schwarzenegger turned down the lead role of John McClane.

Sylvester Stallone turned down the lead role.