Jackie Swanson performed the high fall on her own, trained by legendary stuntman Dar Robinson. Also, the stunt was done using an airbag covered with a life-size painting of the driveway and cars, which, like a foreground miniature, visually blends into the real scene. Thus, the editor is able to hold the shot until just as she makes contact with the airbag, for greater realism.
Mel Gibson turned down starring roles in La mosca (1986) and Los intocables (1987) in order to do this movie.
Legendary stuntman Dar Robinson was killed in a motorcycle accident shortly after principal photography was finished. Director Richard Donner dedicated the film to him.
Casting director Marion Dougherty first suggested teaming Mel Gibson and Danny Glover. She arranged for Gibson to fly in from his home in Sydney, while Glover was flown in from Chicago, where he was appearing in a play, to read through the script.
Mel Gibson and Bruce Willis were considered for each other's roles in Arma mortal (1987) and Duro de matar (1988), and both movies were produced by Joel Silver, with music by Michael Kamen. Willis was offered the role of Martin Riggs, but turned it down, and a year later he did Duro de matar (1988). Gibson was considered to play John McClane, along with his co-stars from Los indestructibles 3 (2014), Harrison Ford, Sylvester Stallone, and Arnold Schwarzenegger, but they all turned it down. Coincidently, the script for Duro de Matar 3: La Venganza (1995) was briefly considered to be filmed as a Lethal Weapon sequel.