Bruce Willis Almost Played John Wick, And I’m Fascinated By How Different He Would Have Been From Keanu Reeves

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As a gamer who’s spent countless hours immersed in action-packed narratives, I can’t help but ponder what a Bruce Willis-led John Wick would have felt like. If you’ve seen Die Hard (or any of its sequels), you know that Willis is no stranger to taking on bad guys with a vengeance.

Currently, it’s nearly impossible to distinguish the character of John Wick from Keanu Reeves, who brought him to life ten years ago. Back then, the versatile actor was already known for his roles in “Point Break”, “Speed”, and “The Matrix”. However, it was the unforgettable part of a retired assassin, whose dog’s death at the hands of two thugs, propelled him back into the dangerous world of espionage. This tragic event triggered a relentless quest for vengeance that took John Wick through the dark underworld of a vast crime syndicate, spanning across four “John Wick” films. The storyline also grew to encompass TV shows, a prequel, and a spinoff featuring Ana de Armas as The Ballerina.

Wondering how distinct the John Wick series could’ve been if Bruce Willis had taken on the role instead, as was initially planned?

Reflecting on the 10th anniversary of ‘John Wick’, director David Leitch (also known for ‘The Fall Guy’) shared with The Hollywood Reporter that he and fellow director Chad Stahelski initially found Bruce Willis attached to the script when they joined the project. Intriguingly, they had considered casting Willis in John Wick before eventually offering the role to Keanu Reeves, whom they knew from their work on the Matrix films. This revelation has left me pondering how distinctly these iconic action movies might have turned out if Willis had starred instead, and in some ways, I can’t help but wonder if they may have been even more exceptional with him at the helm.

In a different scenario, directors Chad Stahelski and David Leitch would have needed to consider the significant age gap between potential protagonists when planning the original John Wick film. Specifically, Bruce Willis, who was 59 at the time, would have been nearly a decade older than Keanu Reeves, who was around 49 or 50 during the filming of the first John Wick movie. To visualize Willis’ physical state during this period, he was starring in the Sin City sequel, A Dame to Kill For, and still had a decade of direct-to-DVD action movies ahead. He had also recently completed RED 2, so the idea of him leading an action film like John Wick wouldn’t have seemed implausible. However, the character wouldn’t have been the finely tuned, expertly choreographed killing machine that John Wick was in the first movie.

Considering an aged John Wick, no longer interested in fighting, might have suited Bruce Willis at that point in his career. One criticism I sometimes have about the John Wick series, and similar stories, is that Keanu Reeves’ proficiency in eliminating enemies makes it almost certain he will survive, regardless of how numerous or powerful the opposition. An older Willis, finding it difficult to compete with the firepower and manpower of the criminals he faced, could have added depth to the question of whether this character made a wise decision when embarking on his revenge mission. We understand why he needed to take action – they had killed his last link to true love. But perhaps entering that mission was a mistake because of his advanced age?

There is one specific aspect of the story where I personally think that Bruce Willis could have improved on the overall approach to John Wick over Keanu Reeves. I think Willis would have brought more emphasis on the inherent sadness that should fuel Wick through his mission. There’s profound loss coloring John Wick – for the dog, of course, but also for his wife, and for the life they chose outside of the violence that now consumes him. Reeves is a concentrated force, and we get goosebumps when he defiantly tells his opponents that he thinks he’s back. But Willis was always more of an emotional performer, especially in the action genre, and his relatability brought nuance to his gun-toting roles. I can’t relate to the skilled assassin that is John Wick. In Willis’ hands, I might have been able to, on some basic level.

Unfortunately, John Wick wasn’t destined to be one of Bruce Willis’s top films; it’s Keanu Reeves who takes the lead in that regard. Are we going to see a John Wick 5? We’ll just have to stay tuned for more news, as we eagerly look forward to the return of that gritty world with the upcoming movie, Ballerina.

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2024-11-08 18:37