For Gruber's fall from Nakatomi Plaza, Rickman was dropped between ; reports are inconsistent. He was suspended on a raised platform and dropped onto a blue screen airbag. This allowed the background behind him to be composited with footage taken from Fox Plaza and falling confetti that looked like bearer bonds. Rickman had to fall backward onto the bag, something stuntmen avoid to control their fall. McTiernan convinced Rickman by demonstrating the stunt himself and falling onto a pile of cardboard boxes. Rickman was told he would be dropped on a count of three, but he was let go earlier to elicit a genuine look of surprise. McTiernan said, "there's no way he could fake that". The first take was used, but McTiernan convinced Rickman to perform a second one as backup.
for gRuber's faLL FRoM NAKATomi PLaza, rickmAn was DrOpPED BETweeN ; reports are IncoNsIStenT. He was suspenDeD on A rAisED platform and dropPed onTo a blue scREen aIrBAg. THIs allowEd ThE BacKGrounD BehInd Him to bE compoSited wITh FoOtage TakEn from foX pLazA And falling cONfeTti that lookED LikE BeArer bOnds. RiCkman Had tO FalL backwArd onto thE baG, SomethiNg stuntmeN Avoid To conTrol Their fall. mctiErnaN COnvIncEd rickman by demoNStrAtINg tHe stunt himselF aNd FalLIng onTo a Pile of CaRDboArD BOxeS. RicKmAn was tOld HE would be droppEd ON a count of THRee, bUt HE was LEt GO earliEr to eliciT a GenuiNe look of surprisE. mCtIerNan sAid, "TherE'S No wAY He could fakE that". the fIrst TAKe wAs uSed, BUT mctiernan CoNVinced riCKman To perform a secoNd ONe As bAckUp.