The Origin of John Wick
The character John Wick arose from a simple concept: what if a retired assassin seeks vengeance after someone murders his dog? Scorn was the initial title of the script penned by Derek Kolstad but Reeves became so enamored with the name John Wick that he persistently referred to it as such. The directors Chad Stahelski and David Leitch were former stuntmen who had teamed up with Reeves on The Matrix trilogy and they aspired to craft a realistic and visceral action film that highlighted Reeves skills and magnetism. Reeves was enticed by the role, narrative and chance to collaborate again with his friends.
The Preparation and Training
Reeves is renowned for his dedication and diligence when preparing his roles and he went through intensive training for John Wick that covered martial arts, gun fu and stunt driving. He learned various fighting styles including judo, jiu-jitsu and silat from some of the most outstanding instructors worldwide. He also honed his shooting with live ammo and performed most of his own stunts like driving a Mustang through crowded streets. Reeves spent months sharpening his abilities and physique to morph into the ultimate killing machine.
The Fashion and Visuals
Reeves did not just master combat but also style fully inhabiting John Wick appearance and attitude. He embodied the look from his tailored suit to his tattoos. His signature outfit throughout the franchise was a black suit, white shirt and black tie. He also had a back tattoo that read Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat in Latin meaning Fortune favors the bold nodding to his character history with the Russian mob. Reeves exuded a rugged mysterious vibe with his beard and long hair.
The Mythology and Universe
Reeves did not just portray John Wick but also helped shape the world he lived in co-developing concepts like the Continental, a hotel and safe zone for assassins. He also suggested using gold coins as underworld currency. He worked with writers and directors to establish the rules, traditions and lore of the covert society of killers. He gave his character nuance with a backstory, drive and personality.
The Reception and Influence
Reeves reinvigorated both his career and the action genre with John Wick as the unexpected hit earned raves from critics and crowds for its thrilling sequences, sleek cinematography, dark humor and compelling lead. It spawned two equally acclaimed sequels cementing Reeves as an icon of cool with the admiration of millions of fans globally.
The Future of John Wick
John Wick story is far from over with more adventures planned for the legendary hitman. John Wick: Chapter 4 is slated for 2022 with John Wick: Chapter 5 to be filmed back-to-back. Spin-offs are also in development like Ballerina and The Continental TV series.