​Bruce Willis Returns As John McClane In New Die Hard Advert

Willis has stepped back into character as the gnarly police detective, who last popped up back in the franchise's 2013 instalment, A Good Day To Die Hard.

Excitement first started to mount at the weekend, when a mysterious 15-second clip appeared on social media, showing Willis as McClane whistling as he walks towards a gang of people waiting for him, before unzipping his jacket and taking it off.

"As one story ends, a new one begins," the video said.

Many famous faces shared the short video - including Willis' own daughter Rumer, who used the hashtag #DieHardIsBack.

The clip prompted a flurry of comments online, as fans began to wonder if this was the first sign of activity for the franchise.

But it was later revealed that the footage was simply a teaser for a commercial promoting Advance Auto Parts' new DieHard battery, which premiered during the NFL game between the Los Angeles Rams and the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.

A YouTube description underneath the advert, titled 'DieHard Is Back' read: "A new chapter in the DieHard story begins. Watch as John McClane faces off against old foes and crosses paths with old friends. From fighting his way to Advance Auto Parts to racing against the clock to install his new DieHard Battery - McClane will stop at nothing, to start his car again."

In the ad, McClane is trying to start his car, saying to himself: "Well, you wanted the quiet life, John - dead batteries, empty streets."

He walks along a deserted road and locks eyes with former nemesis Theo (Clarence Gilyard), who is sat in a window booth in a diner, before coming across a group of ominous-looking men.

Suddenly, we see McClane smashing through the window of an Advance Auto Parts store, where he buys for a battery and asks for 'another way out', realising the only alternative is through the air vent.

Back outside, he's hit by a car - but thankfully it's none other than his driver Argyle (De'voreaux White), and he jumps into the passenger seat.

"You're getting blood on the seats, man!" Argyle tells his old pal.

A chase with the bad guys ensues and Argyle's vehicle is T-boned by another, but luckily McClane picked up a new battery, which he quickly fits before speeding off with Argyle - an explosion behind taking care of their foes.

Many fans were delighted to see Willis back in action as McClane, with one commenting: "So glad to see good ol Mcclane at his best again. This is my favorite commercial right now."

Someone else wrote: "This video wins the internet! Honestly, they should've saved this ad for the Super Bowl."

A third added: "That was actually really funny."