 Initially Renny Harlin (qv) was attached as director, but left to  direct _Die Hard 2 (1990)_ (qv). Then Vincent Ward (I) (qv) came  on board, but only lasted a few months before being fired after  several disagreements with the producers. The scriptwriter,  Walter Hill (I) (qv), was considered to direct the film as well,  but he stepped back after David Fincher (qv) became available.