...For Tomorrow--You May Die...Hard

The "official" announcements keep coming in this week...We can expect the next Die Hard film to roll out next summer.

Pamela McClintock of Variety has the details:

After a decade's hiatus, 20th Century Fox will release the next installment in the "Die Hard" action franchise next summer over the coveted July 4 holiday weekend.

"Live Free or Die Hard" will return Bruce Willis to the big screen as rough-and-tumble New York cop John McClane. Pic, set to begin shooting next month, will bow June 29.

The only other studio release [scheduled] for the frame thus far is Par's "Transformers," which opens July 4.

Fox, in revealing the title and confirming Willis' deal, said the release date is particularly appropriate since the storyline is set around July 4. It's not an unfamiliar strategy for the studio, which released Roland Emmerich's "Independence Day."

Len Wiseman, who directed the "Underworld" franchise, will direct "Live Free" from a screenplay by Mark Bomback.

In the pic, an attack on the country's computer infrastructure begins to cripple the nation. But the man behind the attack never expected an old-fashioned cop to mess up his plans.

Fox doesn't seem to be worried about the lengthy gap in the franchise's history. "Die Hard: With a Vengeance," the third title, bowed in 1995.

Studio said a new generation of fans has adopted the franchise -- first launched in 1988 -- through home video and vidgames. Theatrically, the first three films grossed nearly $750 million in worldwide box office.

There's buzz that Justin Long may take a role in "Live Free," but so far, Willis is the only announced casting.

Willis stars in upcoming features "The Astronaut Farmer" and "Perfect Stranger."

I know I know, not a surprise...It's interesting though that with filming set to begin, as early as next month--that no other casting decisions have been made public yet...I know that the studios are reluctant to attach a number to any franchise film these days. That said, I'm not crazy about the Live Free title...I'm hoping they come up with something else before it's too late.