Hans Gruber

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Lore & Background

The character originated from Anton Gruber in Roderick Thorp's 1979 novel Nothing Lasts Forever. Screenwriter Steven E. de Souza wrote the screenplay with John McClane as the protagonist and Gruber as the antagonist from the start. Producer Joel Silver discovered Rickman during a London's Royal National Theatre run of Les Liaisons Dangereuses, despite his initial hesitation about taking the role. Once cast, Rickman suggested Gruber wear a suit rather than typical terrorist garb. The production even added a scene where Gruber pretends to be an escaped hostage after discovering Rickman could speak with a convincing American accent. Rickman did not view the character as a villain, describing him instead as someone who "just playing someone who wants certain things in life, has made certain choices, and goes after them." He was notably nervous filming scenes involving firing a gun.

In Their Own Story

In the film's climax, a blue screen effect composites Rickman falling about 20 feet (6.1 m) against a background plate of the plaza surrounding the building. Director John McTiernan had to convince Rickman to perform this stunt. The crew recorded the fall twice and used the first take. Visual effects supervisor Richard Edlund noted that Rickman's look of fear is genuine; even though he knew he would be dropped, the fall remained frightening. Some accounts state Rickman was dropped a few seconds sooner than anticipated, which intensified the look of fear and surprise on his face.

Reader's Guide

Gruber's legacy includes reshaping modern villains as Cold War-era "Euro-villains," replacing one-dimensional Russians and Nazis. His "calculating malevolence" influenced villains in Executive Decision (1996), Air Force One (1997), Face/Off (1997), and Cliffhanger (1993). Critics highlighted the layers of Rickman's portrayal: an Englishman playing a German who speaks with an American accent. The New Yorker described him as "oddly contained, seemingly bored by the very mayhem he's set in motion." Screen Rant called his death scene one of the most memorable villain demises ever. Empire ranked Gruber fourth on their list of Greatest Movie Villains of All Time, behind Darth Vader, The Joker, and Loki, citing his "most perfect combination of voice and face." Den of Geek argues that despite Bruce Willis's name being on the poster, Gruber is the reason the story exists; without him arriving at Nakatomi Plaza, the movie would not exist. Other rankings include 17th Greatest Movie Character by Empire, 46th on AFI's Heroes & Villains list, and 14th on IGN's top 100 villains.

Did You Know?

• Hans Gruber was Alan Rickman's first film role.
• Rickman suggested the character wear a suit instead of terrorist clothing, which changed how he was conceived.
• The scene where Gruber pretends to be an escaped hostage was added because Rickman could speak with a convincing American accent.
• Rickman's genuine fear in his death scene came from being dropped about 20 feet (6.1 m), sometimes a few seconds sooner than expected.
• John McClane was always the protagonist; Gruber was conceived as the antagonist from the start.