Uploaded January 2023 | Updated September 2026, 18 hours ago

---

John McTiernan directed Predator and Die Hard back-to-back as his second and third films. He would make several other films over the next few years before stopping abruptly in 2003 after Basic. The reason for his disappearance and why he hasn't made another movie in the 20 years since is a big, complicated affair. This video aims to untangle all of the ins and outs of his legal troubles, the Anthony Pellicano wiretapping scandal, John McTiernan's time in prison, and his numerous film projects that fell apart.

I used too many sources to fit in this description, but you can find them at the end of the article version of this video essay: brickwallpictures.medium.com/why-the-director-of-die-hard-and-predator-disappeared-for-20-years-john-mctiernan-5ed38afeb31f

Check out more of my video essays right here: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLWo4eAfFcpvnRlli7fOMusIb2lMLWb0T

Read my horror novel "South of the Mason-Dixon" hellboundbookspublishing.com/masondixon.html

Read my post-apocalyptic revenge novel "The Fall of Polite" amazon.com/dp/B084V2CKGQ

Letterboxd: letterboxd.com/Brickwall_