As someone who has spent countless hours in the dimly lit theaters, engrossed in the magical world of cinema, I can confidently say that the journey of John Wick is nothing short of extraordinary. The first film, released a decade ago, was a humble beginning for a franchise that would go on to conquer box offices and critical acclaim.
10 years ago today, on October 24, 2014, the cinematic masterpiece “John Wick” graced our screens, and this anniversary is being honored with a special two-night theatrical re-release on November 3rd and 6th, 2024. During these screenings, fans can catch a sneak peek at the much-anticipated film “Ballerina” from the John Wick universe.
According to Erica Lee, a production partner at Thunder Road Films who oversaw the franchise, the movie was an independent project that faced numerous challenges. She explained, “The film came apart countless times.” After production, she noted that making the movie was difficult and complex, with limited resources of time and money always being a concern. Additionally, both Chad and Dave were first-time directors, while Keanu Reeves had taken a break from acting. In terms of its premise, Erica said, “The story revolves around a man whose dog is killed,” which understandably left people thinking it was a grim concept.
As a cinephile reviewing this film, I can’t help but resonate with Basil Iwanyk, the visionary behind Thunder Road Films. Just like him, bringing this movie to life and dealing with the financing hurdles was more terrifying than any horror flick – a real-life nightmare, one might say.
After everyone left, it was an enormous surprise, causing sadness and disappointment, but I recall pondering prior to watching the film during production, “This might turn out to be a catastrophe, and honestly, it could end up being rather humiliating.
Why Did Studios Dislike John Wick?
In simpler terms, Iwanyk expressed that it was unclear if the group doubted Keanu’s involvement or the film’s concept. However, he found the movie very satisfying, as did Chad, Dave, and others. Initially, they felt financially it would be a failure, but they believed the critics were wrong. Despite this, they never expected there would be sequels and spin-offs to the film, but they saw it as one of the best action movies. Erica Lee concurred with this sentiment.
We screened the movie for buyers in Los Angeles, and most of the distributors walked out. Lionsgate took the bet on it. They put the movie out in October because, you know, they didn’t have a
Saw
that year…
The People Speak: John Wick Is a Hit with Audiences
Filmmaker David Leitch has been collaborating with Chad Stahelski on the ‘John Wick’ series since Keanu Reeves introduced it to them. Just like Stahelski, Leitch shared memories of the rocky beginnings of the franchise. “So we managed to get Lionsgate International to finance the movie, and we held a screening for domestic distribution,” Leitch elaborates.
As a movie critic, I found myself in an unusual predicament. The film was up for grabs, yet it seemed that no one dared to take the plunge. It was an off-season, and although several junior executives showed interest, none had the audacity to escalate the matter to their superiors with a simple recommendation: “Give this movie a second look.
However, they suggested, “‘Let’s showcase it at Fantastic Fest first, just to gauge its potential.’ So we did, and it turned out to be a massive hit! The crowd went wild!” Leitch added. “It was clear that our audience connected with it. It felt like a classic midnight madness screening, where people were thoroughly enjoying themselves and adoring Keanu in this role.
According to Erica Lee, when we attended Fantastic Fest, the response was overwhelmingly enthusiastic. Harry Knowles was tweeting something like, “This is how action movies should be made.” At that time, action films seemed a bit stale, with many similar movies being produced. However, our unique style took everyone by surprise, and there was no doubt in our minds about the impact we were making.
A Franchise That’s One in a Million
Essentially, as chaos unfolded on Twitter, Lionsgate exclaimed, “‘Wow, we’ve got a potential hit here!’ They needed to quickly expand its release and wanted to do so immediately,” explained Leitch. In reality, they had just about eight weeks to promote the movie and get it into theaters before things settled down. For a while, there was a sense of doubt that the film would be destined for radio broadcasts with no one watching, almost like an NPR program.
Without a doubt, as we mark the 10th anniversary of the original “John Wick”, it’s clear that the movie exceeded their hopes. Initially, it didn’t make a huge impact at the box office, but it continued to attract more viewers over time. By the time the sequel came out, it had earned double the initial film’s revenue at the box office. Erica Lee describes this kind of franchise as one-of-a-kind, saying: “This is a rarity in the industry.
As a film enthusiast, it’s truly exhilarating to be part of a franchise that’s one in a million. A franchise that consistently surpasses its own achievements at the box office, in critiques, and on platforms like Rotten Tomatoes. It feels extraordinary to breathe the same rarefied air as this cinematic marvel. And let me tell you, every victory is a significant achievement, for they are scarce in the unpredictable world of cinema. So, it’s not just a triumph, but a major milestone, and I can’t help but rejoice in these moments of success.
Get ready to rejoice as the movie that sparked it all, John Wick, makes a comeback to cinemas for a limited run on November 3rd and 6th, 2024! Secure your seats and discover the participating theaters here.
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2024-11-02 04:31