You Won’t Believe Denzel Washington Starred in a Forgotten ‘Die Hard’ Sequel

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In the 1990s, Denzel Washington faced significant expectations, having already made a powerful impact in the ’80s with his Oscar nomination for “Cry Freedom” and winning an award for “Glory.” Just as other successful actors must demonstrate their lasting relevance, Washington aimed to prove that he was more than just a fleeting sensation.

In the ’90s, Washington took over with movies like “Malcolm X,” “The Pelican Brief,” “Philadelphia,” “Crimson Tide,” “Courage Under Fire,” and “The Bone Collector.” However, he also appeared in several films that didn’t gain much popularity. One such film was the action crime thriller “Ricochet,” which hit theaters in 1991. This movie was brought to life by Russell Mulcahy, who was well-known for directing music videos for artists such as Elton John and Duran Duran. Interestingly enough, this fast-paced film shared a universe with John McTieman’s “Die Hard.

Revenge Gets Served Cold in ‘Ricochet’

As I stepped into the LAPD, it was only natural for me, Nick Styles, to maintain a certain distance from my old friend Odessa (Ice-T). Having had enough of my past filled with hardship, he had chosen a different path, becoming a drug dealer in South Central Los Angeles. For me, sticking to the straight and narrow, cutting off all ties that reeked of trouble, proved beneficial as my career within the force began to soar.

The situation improves significantly when officer Styles manages to apprehend the psychopathic criminal Earl Talbott Blake, played by John Lithgow, during a hostage crisis at a fairground. This arrest, which was captured on video by an amateur and broadcasted, transforms him into a hero and secures him a promotion to detective. However, his life appears to be settled — but wait, there’s more. What Styles isn’t aware of is that his actions have set him up for potential danger, and his future might be rougher than he anticipates.

In the span of eight years, Styles’ career has advanced further as he now serves as an Assistant District Attorney and is happily married with two daughters. However, Blake never forgot the past. Imprisoned, the criminal forms an alliance with the Aryan Brotherhood, planning a daring escape to exact his revenge on Styles. Eventually, he succeeds in breaking out by orchestrating a body swap ruse following a violent confrontation among inmates.

Externally, Blake appears to be occupied. He meticulously sets up Styles for blackmail and drug abuse using a skillfully designed plan. First, he kidnaps the law enforcement officer from his residence and keeps him captive in an empty swimming pool for over a week. Blake then administers drugs repeatedly to him, turning him into a zombie-like state. He subsequently hires a prostitute to sleep with the drugged man while under the influence, recording the encounter. Later, Blake releases the unconscious Styles, abandoning him on the steps of City Hall. As these events transpire, an underlying sense of unease pervades, suggesting that this is not merely a typical case of torture and discarding. The antagonist seems to have ulterior motives.

Blake’s recording of a song titled Styles is misunderstood as a solicitation for prostitution, leading District Attorney Priscilla Brimleigh to dismiss him from his position. To add to his troubles, it emerges that Styles has contracted gonorrhea, causing strain in his marriage. However, an unexpected twist arises when a criminal on the run seeks revenge. Determined to clear his name, Styles enlists the aid of his old friend Odessa to locate Blake. Can Styles manage to overcome the series of unfortunate events plaguing his life?

One Character Connects ‘Ricochet’ and ‘Die Hard’

In the movie “Die Hard,” the villain Hans Gruber, a German terrorist, along with his henchmen, aims to pilfer $640 million worth of untraceable bearer bonds from the vault of Nakatomi Plaza in Los Angeles. John McClane, a detective who had walked into the building intending to mend fences with his wife at a Christmas party hosted by her employer, finds himself trying to thwart their evil plans instead. As events unfold chaotically, a reporter named Gail Wallens (played by Mary Ellen Trainor) keeps the public informed about the details of the situation.

Introducing “Ricochet”. As the plot thickens, a soothing realism gradually gives way to a moody cinematography reminiscent of classic film noirs from the Golden Age. It becomes apparent that things are taking a turn for the worse for Styles, and who should appear but Gail Wallens to document his downfall. Her arrival follows the familiar trope of the “Strawman News Media” often seen in Hollywood productions. The fact that these events unfold in Los Angeles, along with Wallen’s appearance, hints that the two action movies share a common universe. This is hardly unexpected given that both films were penned by Stephen de Souza.

In my humble opinion, the action-packed thriller Ricochet is brimming with subtle nods to the iconic Die Hard series. As the tension reaches its peak, our protagonist Rick dons a grungy vest reminiscent of John McClane’s and brandishes a semi-automatic Beretta 92, a firearm that shares its screen time with Bruce Willis’ character in Die Hard. It seems that screenwriter Stephen de Souza had a keen eye for detail, but it would have been truly remarkable if he had included a witty reference to McClane in a dialogue exchange.

Denzel Washington took on the role in Ricochet as an endeavor to explore uncharted territory and further cement his stardom. With action-packed crime thrillers dominating the scene, it seemed prudent for the Glory actor to join this trend, yet the outcome wasn’t quite what he hoped for. Although the film garnered critical acclaim, evidenced by a 75% Rotten Tomatoes rating, its box office performance was lackluster and it failed to achieve legendary status among ‘90s action movies.

It’s fortunate that Washington persisted with the genre, as many other actors might have retreated to their comfort zone. However, the star of “Malcolm X” continued to take risks, and as a result, we were rewarded with unforgettable films such as “Man on Fire” and the “Equalizer” series.

‘Ricochet’ Could Have Been a ‘Dirty Harry’ Installment

As a movie fanatic, I can’t help but imagine how “Ricochet” could have been another installment in the “Dirty Harry” series if circumstances had taken a different turn. This intriguing concept was initially penned as a spec script by Fred Dekker, most recognized for his work on “RoboCop 3”. Regrettably for him, Eastwood didn’t find his writing to be up to par. In an interview with The Flashback Files, Dekker shared that Eastwood felt the plot was too dark and grim.

I’m quite fond of Eastwood; he’s one of my preferred actors. I believe the character of Dirty Harry was a unique and captivating creation, but I felt that the subsequent films didn’t live up to the original. As a result, I decided to write a spec script for a new story. My producer Joel Silver mentioned he sent it to Clint, who apparently found it too dark for his taste.

Initially, I had high hopes for the project, but when my top choice, the inimitable Kurt Russell, declined the lead role, I found myself at a crossroads. Eventually, the script landed in the capable hands of Stephen de Souza, who not only kept the core idea intact but also skillfully reworked several supporting narratives.

For a brief moment, I contemplated guiding the project, as I had discussed it with Kurt Russell regarding his role as the police officer. Just before entering his office, I realized I ought to express, “I need to persuade Kurt Russell to take part in this film!” Regrettably, I didn’t succeed in convincing him.

Eastwood’s response to the script is unexpected given that Ricochet seems tailor-made for the franchise, as it boasts a traditional Cop vs Criminal plotline, brimming with expected high-octane action sequences and an unconventional exploration of characters’ personal lives that gives it a delightfully refreshing feel.

It’s quite possible that Eastwood decided to call it quits with the franchise following the negative criticisms and weak ticket sales of “Dirty Harry: The Dead Pool“. With five films under his belt, he may have thought it was the right moment to bid farewell to the character.

It’s quite possible that the movie Ricochet would have been more successful if it hadn’t been followed so closely by Martin Scorsese’s film, Cape Fear. In 1991, Scorsese’s movie was released, featuring a plot strikingly similar to that of an attorney being pursued by a vengeful psychopath, who had just been released from prison. Notably, this film garnered several award nominations and earned over $182 million at the box office.

This wasn’t unexpected, as Scorsese’s movie served as a demonstration on how this role should be portrayed. He skillfully incorporated common genre elements and utilized them to delve deeply into an intriguing character analysis, dissecting both the villain and hero with the precision of an experienced geriatric pathologist conducting a groundbreaking autopsy. The Denzel Washington film could have used a similar examination. This doesn’t imply it is subpar; on the contrary, it’s a must-watch for action enthusiasts, so try to fit it into your plans if possible.

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2025-07-07 02:03