How One Key Decision Changed John Wick’s Billion-Dollar Fate

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The movie “John Wick“, directed by Chad Stahelski and starring Keanu Reeves, might not have been as groundbreaking if it had been released a few years earlier by someone else. Despite its seemingly simple plot, it left an indelible mark on the action genre due to its exceptional style. As John Wick, played by Reeves, mercilessly hunts down a crime lord’s son to avenge his deceased dog, given as a parting gift from his late wife, Stahelski and the team spared no effort in pushing the boundaries of cinematography and choreography.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but admire how Chad Stahelski’s career took an intriguing turn. Originally known for his work in stunts, he frequently stepped in as Keanu Reeves’ stand-in and oversaw action sequences in films like the original Matrix trilogy, The Hunger Games, The Expendables, and Safe. Some might consider Stahelski’s transition into directing, with his first film being John Wick, a daring move, but one that undeniably paid off.

While other projects may have given us a glimpse of the technical aspects that make up John Wick, this shift in roles allowed the movie to carve out a more significant impact in cinema history.

John Wick Wouldn’t Have Felt As Fresh If Jason Statham’s Safe Had Debuted Its Style 2 Years Earlier

John Wick Might Not Have Been As Big Of A Success If It Hadn’t Been So Original

Prior to directing the movie “John Wick”, Stahelski was involved in the action choreography and oversight of stunts for the film “Safe”. In this film, Jason Statham portrays a lone warrior named Luke Wright, who takes on the task of safeguarding a young girl. This girl is being pursued by criminal gangs due to the valuable code stored in her mind, which just so happens to be the same group that ruined Luke’s life. Not surprisingly, “Safe” delivers an adrenaline-fueled experience much like “John Wick”, showcasing Statham’s impressive action skills.

In an interview with Ebaster, Stahelski mentioned that they aimed to create a realistic gun-use style in John Wick, similar to what was attempted in Safe. However, this approach didn’t align with Director Boaz Yakin’s vision for the film.

In discussing John Wick, we found an optimal balance of safety concerning blanks, guns, and related aspects. However, in the film Safe, this harmony wasn’t fully achieved. At that time, we were heavily engaged with Jason on various projects, a friend we continue to collaborate with. We conceived an idea, presented it, and believed it was intriguing, but it didn’t align perfectly with the director’s vision for the character and plot.

The idea didn’t resonate with what people might expect because it deviated slightly from the narrative’s usual tone. It required a bit more action-packed and dramatic flair, leaning towards a game of cat and mouse. We wanted to let it evolve organically rather than imposing a specific style. After all, you can’t impose a style on someone; it should come naturally.

What transpired wasn’t a matter of overlooked chances or disliking our approach; it simply didn’t align. To illustrate, imagine blending the action style of John Wick with the visual aesthetic of The Matrix. It doesn’t quite mesh. Similarly, if we attempted to incorporate grappling moves into The Matrix, it likely wouldn’t fit either.

Essentially, Stahelski emphasized that the action style should align with the narrative’s theme. The movie Safe thrived on its more extravagant and implausible action sequences as they portrayed a highly stylized depiction of gangsters and an absurd plotline. On the other hand, The Matrix incorporated wires for choreography due to its narrative revolving around bending reality. Lastly, the movie John Wick, with its raw and authentic vibe, was bolstered by its highly realistic portrayal of guns and stunts, making it seem more plausible.

Absolutely, the portrayal of fights and guns in the film “John Wick” was rarely seen in Hollywood at that time, giving it a unique appeal as an action movie, since it managed to feel authentic rather than excessive, despite its larger-than-life lead character. Essentially, what set it apart was its innovative approach to the action genre; if another film had come before it with a similar style, the impact might have been lessened, although it’s unlikely that it would have completely diminished due to the high-quality storytelling of both productions.

It’s Hard To See Safe Having The Same Impact John Wick Ultimately Did (Even With Gun-Fu)

Safe Wasn’t Good Enough Of A Movie To Have John Wick’s Impact

Historically, a movie’s technical aspects may not grab as much attention if its story is less compelling. Movies that push the boundaries in special effects like “The Terminator,” “Star Wars,” and “The Matrix” are still strong stories without those effects. For instance, “Safe,” starring Jason Statham with a 59% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, would still be considered mediocre even with exceptional martial arts and action sequences. It doesn’t particularly distinguish itself from the many action films Statham has made over the past two decades. In contrast, when Keanu Reeves returned to action after “The Matrix,” his performances left a lasting impression.

In simpler terms, the plot of “John Wick” follows a clear structure, but subtly weaves in intriguing aspects of the Continental system. Director Chad Stahelski not only raised the bar for action scenes in the film industry, but his team also enhanced the fight sequences with impressive visual effects and cinematography, resulting in a stylish and visually appealing movie. To top it off, “John Wick” just oozes coolness, a quality that would have been hard to beat even if “Safe” had focused more on gun safety instead of action.

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2025-05-13 21:20