Paul Kellerman

The text explicitly identifies Alexander Godunov as Karl, who is described as Gruber's second-in-command and henchman, not as a security chief or an internal accomplice within Nakatomi Corporation. Other supporting roles listed include Argyle (limo driver), Al Powell (LAPD sergeant), Dwayne T. Robinson (LAPD deputy chief), Richard Thornburg (TV reporter), Theo (tech specialist), Harry Ellis (Nakatomi executive), and Joseph Takagi (head executive).

Lore & Background

It describes Gruber as a German ex-radical posing as a terrorist to steal $640 million in bearer bonds. The narrative mentions specific henchmen named Karl (Gruber's second-in-command), Theo (tech specialist), Tony, Franco, Alexander, Marco, Kristoff, Eddie, Uli, Heinrich, Fritz, and James. It notes that everyone in the tower was taken hostage except McClane and Argyle. There is no mention of a security chief turning traitor or any character named Paul Kellerman participating in the takeover.

Reader's Guide

The cast as Bruce Willis (John McClane), Alan Rickman (Hans Gruber), Alexander Godunov (Karl), Bonnie Bedelia (Holly), Reginald VelJohnson (Al Powell), Paul Gleason (Dwayne T. Robinson), De'voreaux White (Argyle), William Atherton (Richard Thornburg), Clarence Gilyard (Theo), Hart Bochner (Harry Ellis), and James Shigeta (Joseph Takagi). Alexander Godunov is identified as Karl, Gruber's second-in-command, not a security chief.

Did You Know?

The film was shot almost entirely on location at Fox Plaza in Los Angeles between November 1987 and March 1988.
Bruce Willis was paid $5 million for his role, a sum that caused controversy among industry professionals who viewed it as a poor investment.
The character of Hans Gruber was played by Alan Rickman, whose performance was praised even while the film received mixed initial reviews.
Die Hard was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry in 2017 by the United States Library of Congress.