This is something we're prepared to accept unless and until someone tries to make a film of it: Boom! Studios is releasing a Die Hard comic-book prequel, called Die Hard: Year One, this August.
The story follows a younger John McClane, as a rookie cop in New York during the 1976 Biccentenial celebrations. You've got to suspect that he won't have an easy job of keeping the peace during that time, but that's all the plot details that have been released so far.
Is this a good idea? Well, we're doubtful; but then Batman: Year One was really rather good so comic-book prequels can work. We just hope no bright spark tries to put this on the screen. After all, anyone but Bruce Willis wearing the white vest would be blasphemy of the highest order.