Don Cheadle To Play Jazz-Loving Serial Killer in Latest From ‘John Wick’ Writer

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As a seasoned cinephile who has witnessed the evolution of cinematic masterpieces over the years, I must say that the upcoming action-thriller “Canyon” starring Don Cheadle is a tantalizing prospect. The intriguing premise of a jazz musician turned serial killer caught in a turf war between crime families, under the direction of Colin Tilley, a renowned music video director, promises an exhilarating ride.

In the upcoming action-thriller “Canyon”, Don Cheadle will take on the lead role, portraying Canyon – a man with a dual identity as both a part-time jazz musician and a full-time serial killer. However, an unexpected turn of events occurs when he unwittingly takes on the role of guardian for a young vocalist, placing him squarely in the middle of a power struggle between two criminal organizations. It promises to be an exhilarating ride, with the intriguing storyline potentially proving deadly indeed. This project is written by Derek Kolstad, who penned the successful “John Wick” series.

According to Deadline, Colin Tilley, known for directing music videos for artists like Megan Thee Stallion, Justin Bieber, and Halsey (and many others), will be in charge of this upcoming film. Previously, he made his first feature directorial attempt with the horror movie “Eye for an Eye,” which is still looking for distribution.

Cheadle is a well-known actor who earned an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of activist Paul Rusesabagina in “Hotel Rwanda,” a true tale about a hotel manager sheltering Tutsi refugees amidst their conflict with the Hutu militia in Rwanda, Africa.

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the actor is famously recognized for portraying James “Rhodey” Rhodes, better known as War Machine. Additionally, he’s appeared in films like Ocean’s Eleven and its sequels, Traffic, Crash, Boogie Nights, and numerous other notable movies. Interestingly, he often plays virtuous characters, which makes his upcoming role as a character with questionable morals quite intriguing.

Besides his work in the MCU, specifically penning two episodes of “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” Kolstad is particularly renowned as the brainchild behind the “John Wick” franchise. He penned the initial three movies featuring Keanu Reeves. Additionally, he scripted “Nobody,” a film where Bob Odenkirk portrayed an ordinary family man who squares off against a ruthless Russian mob boss. A follow-up to this movie is underway and slated for release around 2025, which Kolstad also penned.

Kolstad’s Most Famous Franchise Almost Went By a Different Name

The title Canyon also being the main character’s name echoes the same convention seen with John Wick, though the acclaimed action franchise almost went by another name. The first film was initially titled Scorn, to reflect the character’s anger and disdain for the men who wronged him by killing his beloved dog. The unassuming yet somehow provacative name was never meant to be the title, but it was Reeves who accidentally made the name change happen. As Kolstad told Comicbook.com in 2020:

The title “John Wick” was given because Keanu Reeves repeatedly referred to it as such during interviews. Initially, the film was supposed to be called “Scorn”, but due to the massive publicity generated by Keanu’s repeated mentions, the marketing team decided to stick with “John Wick”. Now, I find it hard to imagine it being called anything other than “John Wick”.

In my perspective as a movie reviewer, I’m left wondering: Will “Canyon,” as currently conceived, stay true to its original concept during production and eventual release, or might George Clooney (Cheadle) surprise us all with an unexpected twist that could potentially elevate the film beyond our initial expectations? Given its early stages of development, only time will reveal the answer.

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2024-11-28 01:32