‘Anyone Who Is Trying To Compete With John Wick Is Practicing An Exercise In Futility.’ Dave Bautista Talks New Action Role

‘Anyone Who Is Trying To Compete With John Wick Is Practicing An Exercise In Futility.’ Dave Bautista Talks New Action Role

As a seasoned gamer and action movie enthusiast who’s witnessed the rise of some truly iconic characters, I can’t help but feel a sense of anticipation for Dave Bautista‘s upcoming film, The Killer’s Game. While it shares similarities with the John Wick franchise, it’s refreshing to see that the creators aren’t trying to replicate its success or outdo its action sequences.


The upcoming film “The Killer’s Game” starring Dave Bautista on the 2024 schedule, much like the “John Wick” movies, features professional killers battling numerous other assassins trying to take them down. However, as our review of “The Killer’s Game” noted, these films share many themes but Dave Bautista emphasizes that the action in his movie was not intended to mimic that of “John Wick”, acknowledging that no one can match up to its unique style.

After the acclaim of the “John Wick” series, numerous movies have emerged that seem to borrow heavily from its action-packed formula. At first glance, “The Killer’s Game” might appear to be another cash grab in the same genre. However, Dave Bautista clarified to The AV Club that the film aimed to stand out by injecting a dose of humor into the action sequences, as they didn’t want to compete directly with the intensity of “John Wick”. He elaborated…

In our creative process, we aimed to give the film an unique action vibe. Instead of following the realistic and intense style of John Wick, we opted for a more humorous, absurd, and outlandish approach. We wanted to distance ourselves from that standard and create something less serious and more entertaining. Competing with John Wick might seem like a futile attempt since they’ve truly raised the bar.

In essence, there are more than just plot similarities between these two action movies. Interestingly, both films’ directors share a common background – they were previously stuntpeople who later moved into directing. Specifically, J.J. Perry collaborated with Chad Stahelski, the director of the John Wick series, on the first two installments of that franchise. This shared history and parallel career paths might explain why some viewers draw comparisons between the two films. It’s possible that the popularity of the Keanu Reeves-led John Wick franchise may have inspired the creation of a movie like The Killer’s Game.

John Wick’s action style is undoubtedly distinctive and dramatic, yet it carries a strong sense of gravity. Conversely, The Killer’s Game offers characters that lean towards the exaggerated, such as assassins who double as dancers, adding an element of absurdity to the fight sequences. In this film, the action isn’t meant to be taken too seriously, but for those who appreciate action films with a touch of humor, The Killer’s Game could prove to be an entertaining expansion of the genre.

With doubts surrounding the continuation of the John Wick series, it seems that the demand for similar action films might diminish. The trailer for Ballerina, a potential spin-off from the John Wick universe, has been released, but there’s no certainty about the future of the character or the world beyond this point. There have been whispers about the possibility of John Wick: Chapter 5, but as of now, nothing is set in stone.

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2024-09-27 00:37