As someone who has spent countless hours immersed in the world of films, I can confidently say that the title “John Wick” is not just a movie, but a revolution in action cinema. The decision to name the film after its protagonist, played by none other than the legendary Keanu Reeves, was a stroke of genius.
For about ten years now, the first “John Wick” movie has been captivating audiences worldwide. It was initially unveiled at Fantastic Fest in September 2014, and later premiered in New York City in October of the same year. Since then, John Wick has grown into a highly successful and globally recognized action film series. By the year 2023, this series, consisting of four films altogether, had surpassed the $1 billion mark at box offices worldwide.
In essence, it was both the gripping plotline and the captivating character of John Wick, played by Keanu Reeves since the beginning of the franchise, that significantly contributed to the film’s success. The action sequences in the movie are particularly noteworthy because they seem incredibly real, reflecting the story. The plot essentially revolves around John Wick seeking revenge against a group of Russian gangsters who had the misfortune of killing his wife’s beloved pet dog.
In a classic “mess with the wrong guy” scenario, John Wick, portrayed by Reeves, meticulously carries out his vengeance, re-entering the dangerous criminal underworld from which he had previously distanced himself. The composed and detached demeanor that Reeves imbues into the character of John Wick, even as he performs some of the most brutal acts conceivable, adds an irresistible allure to the movie. Yet, the film’s success is not the only achievement credited to Reeves; the actor also bestowed the franchise with its name.
‘John Wick’s Original Title Was ‘Scorn’
Initially known as “Scorn” during its scripting phase, it’s interesting to note that the first John Wick movie didn’t get its current name from referring to its main character. The title was intended to hint at the storyline itself rather than the protagonist’s identity.
The title “Scorn” seemed appropriate because it mirrored the vengeful storyline of the movie. If the film had kept its original name, it would have hinted at the emotional state of its main character and his desire for revenge early on. The term “scorn” signifies a feeling of contempt or disrespect, making it a suitable representation of John Wick’s backstory and character traits such as resentment and anger.>
Yet, although “Scorn” might have mirrored John Wick’s emotional turmoil and thirst for vengeance, the ultimate title of the movie has enabled a change in the story’s emphasis, freeing it from the limitation of being solely a one-off revenge tale.
Keanu Reeves’ Role in Naming the ‘John Wick’ Films
The movie that eventually became one of the well-known action series titles didn’t receive the nickname “Scorn” due to Keanu Reeves, its lead actor. Instead, he often called it by the name of his character, John Wick, rather than using the suggested title.
In an interview with Comicbook.com back in 2020, Derek Kolstad shared that Keanu Reeves was instrumental in changing the movie’s title to what we now know as John Wick. Now, it’s hard for him to conceive of the film being called anything else.
The movie is named “John Wick” because Keanu Reeves repeatedly called it that, and the marketing team thought, ‘With him promoting it like this for free, we’ve already got around four to five million dollars in advertising. So, we’ll stick with John Wick instead of Scorn.’ I can hardly picture it as anything other than John Wick now.
‘John Wick’ May Not Have Become a Franchise Without Keanu Reeves
If the first John Wick movie had been titled Scorn instead, it’s doubtful that the series would have grown into the franchise we know today. Although Scorn is a suitable title for a revenge-themed film, it might not have given the movie the distinct character that John Wick brings. The action genre is already flooded with numerous films bearing single-word titles like Taken, Extraction, Crank, and Wanted. Scorn would probably have been grouped with these movies. While many one-word title action films are undeniably excellent and typify the genre, their titles do not necessarily represent the singularity of each film.
By persistently labeling the movie as Scorn instead of John Wick, Reeves’ choice added a unique touch to the production. With its title holding a personal connection, the film was able to venture beyond the traditional path of revenge films. The moniker John Wick piqued audience interest, not just about what drove the character, but also about who John Wick was as an individual. This provided the movie with an opportunity to delve deeper into the character’s storyline across multiple productions.
In the light of Keanu Reeves’ iconic portrayal of Neo in the Matrix films, the title John Wick, named after his character, hinted at another potential classic action movie. While Scorn might have attracted viewers keen on witnessing Reeves seek vengeance, John Wick sparked curiosity about the plot’s foundation and future development – a depth that Scorn may not have been able to achieve.
The movie titled “John Wick” has opened up limitless possibilities for the Keanu Reeves-starring film, demonstrated not only by the series of “John Wick” films transforming into a franchise but also by the numerous spin-offs that have been developed from the initial film. It’s worth noting that many of these spin-off projects acknowledge the original film’s title, thereby leveraging the marketing advantage of the success of the original franchise.
In a similar vein, Ana de Armas’ upcoming movie, a ballet-meets-assassin production slated for June 2025, is called “From the World of John Wick: Ballerina“, linking back to the “John Wick” universe with its title and poised to be an unquestionable success. Notably, the prequel TV series, airing in 2023, has also been renamed “The Continental: From the World of John Wick“, hinting at the enduring influence of the original film’s title. Stream the John Wick films on Apple TV or Prime Video.
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2024-11-15 03:31