John Moore to direct 'Die Hard 5'

Director John Moore is now free to die hard.

According to Deadline, the director survived the gauntlet and is in final negotiations to join actor Bruce Willis for "Die Hard 5."

Bruce Willis to return as John McClaine

It was revealed earlier this month that 20th Century Fox had shortlisted its choices for director, with Joe Cornish ("Attack the Block"), Justin Lin ("Fast Five") and Nicolas Winding Refn ("Drive") also in the running.

His films include "Max Payne," "The Omen" and "Behind Enemy Lines."

According to the report, filming for "Die Hard 5" will take place in Russia. Additionally, Willis was very "hands on" in the director search and met with Moore before the studio made its final decision.

The original "Die Hard" shot its way into theaters in 1988, and the latest installment, "Live Free or Die Hard," arrived in June 2007, bringing home $134 million domestically and $383 million worldwide on a production budget of $110 million. That film was directed by Len Wiseman, also known for the "Underworld" films.

Willis also recently signed on for the "G.I. Joe" sequel, in which he will play General Joe Colton, a character who never appeared in the 1980s animated series but did show up periodically in the various comic book incarnations, having been the original "G.I. Joe," appointed by President John F. Kennedy to create an "ultimate freedom fighting force."

Fox looking for 'Die Hard 5' director

John McClane is set to find himself in the wrong place, at the wrong time...for the fifth time.

The last "Die Hard" film debuted in '07.

According to Deadline, 20th Century Fox is moving forward with a fifth installment in the action franchise, "Die Hard," with Bruce Willis as the embattled cop McClane.

The studio is reportedly working to shore up a director and has a short list which includes Joe Cornish ("Attack the Block"), Justin Lin ("Fast Five"), Nicolas Winding Refn ("Drive") and John Moore ("Max Payne").

Lin is probably the most in-demand of the directors coming off the success of "Fast Five," and the news that he is attached to the revival of "The Terminator" series, although that project has been left in limbo since Arnold Schwarzenegger's marriage scandal.

The original "Die Hard" shot its way into theaters in 1988, and the latest installment, "Live Free or Die Hard," arrived in June 2007, bringing home $134 million domestically and $383 million worldwide on a production budget of $110 million. That film was directed by Len Wiseman, also known for the "Underworld" films.

Despite its faults, "Live Free or Die Hard" was a decent summer action flick, although there is simply something not quite right about a PG-13-rated "Die Hard" film. As last year's "RED" proved, however, Willis still has some years left in him as an action star.