Man, it seems like only yesterday when we all gathered to witness Keanu Reeves step into the shoes of the legendary retired hitman John Wick – but that was over a decade ago! Nowadays, “John Wick” is a name that echoes through every household with numerous sequels, a spin-off TV show, and even video games based on the franchise.
2014 saw viewers discovering intriguing aspects of John Wick’s world, such as gold coins, Continental hotels, and a global assassin network hidden beneath the surface. The subtleties in the “John Wick” series have cumulatively shaped one of the most distinct cinematic universes. These seemingly minor details have blossomed into extensive fan wiki entries, with some entries reaching thousands of words. It’s easy to overlook significant events from John Wick’s storyline due to his lengthy escapades.
As a devoted fan, I can’t help but notice the striking transformation when we recently chose to revisit the John Wick saga. Over a decade has passed, yet these films have evolved and matured in ways that leave me awestruck.
We know what John’s retirement was like
One standout feature of the original “John Wick” film is its swift dive into high-octane action without spending too much time on elaborate exposition about John Wick’s past. The movie offers only essential tidbits about John’s personal history, which helps us grasp his reasons for reentering the assassin world, and then immediately plunges into the narrative and non-stop gunfights. Although John shares a peaceful existence with his wife Helen (Bridget Moynahan) in retirement, the film doesn’t delve deeply into their relationship or their shared past together.
In the course of time, many aspects of John’s life with Helen remain unclear, yet we’ve gained some insights due to behind-the-scenes information about how John preferred to spend his leisure hours during retirement. Initially, it was intended to depict scenes of John crafting books, a peaceful pastime for a retired man accustomed to manual labor.
In the movie, although Keanu Reeves’ character (John) didn’t actually demonstrate bookbinding on-screen, since Ross MacDonald had taught him, some traces of this skill found their way into the film. At an early point in the story, John destroys his basement workshop floor to access his weapons and treasure, revealing a lavish bookshelf in the background. The presence of such a valuable book collection in the workshop is due to the fact that John was personally restoring and binding these books himself.
John’s cutest dog scene is kind of gross now
In a surprisingly violent film like “John Wick”, spanning just under two hours, the protagonist, John Wick, is responsible for the deaths of 77 individuals during his vengeful pursuit. A typical hero might struggle to gain audience sympathy with such a high body count, but John Wick has an unexpected advantage: his loyal canine companion. The entire movie revolves around the audience rooting for John, as they share his desire to avenge his slain puppy. Director Chad Stahelski had to fight to include the dog’s death at the start of the movie, recognizing that the narrative would lose impact without this pivotal tragedy.
John’s work wouldn’t be complete without a delightfully cute pup by his side – specifically Andy, a beagle from Animal Actors International who portrayed Daisy. Andy captures the heart with his immediate and endearing bond with John, but their sweetest moment becomes less charming when you discover Andy’s secret acting trick. To get Andy to jump onto Keanu Reeves and lavish him with licks like a smitten pup, they had to use bacon grease as an incentive, which meant that Reeves had to smear it on his face and beard. So, try not to let that unpleasant detail ruin the next time you rewatch “John Wick.
There’s much more to the first film than we saw
In the initial stages of production, the first “John Wick” film was longer than its final theater release by approximately 40 minutes. However, the first movie in the series is actually the shortest. One reason for its success lies in its swift introduction to action and rapid progression through John’s quest for revenge. Upon watching “John Wick: Chapter 4,” which runs nearly three hours, the concise nature of the original film becomes even more noticeable on rewatching.
In a nutshell, subsequent “John Wick” films have grown longer, mainly due to increased action sequences that resemble marathons. If the original film were extended by 40 minutes, it would match the length of its sequels. However, these additional scenes primarily delve into John’s background and retirement, rather than adding significantly to his kill count. For fans of the “John Wick” universe, these missing scenes are intriguing, but the movie arguably benefits from being concise.
John’s loss is more impactful now
The “John Wick” film series revolves around the protagonist, John, coping with the demise of his spouse and re-entering the clandestine realm of professional killers. Despite their exhilarating nature, these movies carry a profoundly sad narrative. Initially, John’s grief in the first movie was poignant, but on subsequent viewings, it reveals additional layers of complexity. With each film, we delve deeper into the assassin underworld, making us appreciate the sheer difficulty that John faced when trying to leave this dangerous life behind.
In the later installments of this series, I found myself getting acquainted with individuals whom John once regarded as friends and kin. Granted, they belonged to an ominous secret assassin organization, but it’s chilling to reflect upon how easily he was prepared to leave everyone behind in pursuit of his freedom with Helen. This revelation adds a layer of sadness when we see him returning to the High Table, making the whole scenario even more poignant during repeat viewings.
We know who’s really responsible for the wild action
Discovering a little about the backstage events of each “John Wick” film adds an extra layer of enjoyment when rewatching the series. The franchise is brimming with jaw-dropping stunts and extravagant kill scenes, many of which are born from a movie set where everyone actively collaborates. Actors are encouraged to propose their own ideas, so many iconic moments in the series may have been sparked by one actor or another.
John Wick’s impressive pen-fighting move from “John Wick: Chapter 2” was included due to Keanu Reeves advocating for the scene. To get approval for the horse action sequence at the start of “John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum”, director Chad Stahelski had to persuade everyone it was a worthwhile idea. Donnie Yen proposed an intricate part in “Chapter 4” where Caine points a gun to John’s head before attacking with his cane during their initial fight; this moment has become one of the most striking aspects of their battle.
In his interviews, Stahelski often emphasizes a unique approach to collaboration when producing films. He stated in one behind-the-scenes featurette that it might not be accurate to label their work as a traditional collaboration. Instead, he views it as two individuals working together who share the same passions. According to Stahelski, filmmaking is about generating wild ideas and finding others to bring those ideas to life. On the sets of “John Wick,” these roles can be filled by anyone.
Cats were the real threat in John Wick: Chapter 3
In “John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum”, John is forced to flee worldwide following a $14 million bounty being issued for him by the High Table. Wherever he goes, assassins emerge from hiding to attempt his life, yet despite the challenging circumstances in the film, the cast and crew may have faced an even more daunting predicament. The movie was filmed on-site in Morocco, but when they arrived to commence production, they encountered an unforeseen issue: a multitude of cats.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, director Chad Stahelski shared that when they initially scouted the location for their film, there were a significant number of stray cats. However, by the time shooting began, the stray cat population had grown substantially. Consequently, they established a cat wrangling department and constructed numerous cages to house these strays. They also created little homes for them, fed them regularly, and ensured humane care. Remarkably, more cats than human crew members were being fed on set each day, according to Stahelski.
During the filming of “Parabellum”, Halle Berry (the star) recounted her unique experience collaborating with numerous cats on set. Due to a lack of cat wranglers, the production found itself overwhelmed by the number of felines present. This led to scenes being shot amidst them rather than setting up specific areas for filming. In these situations, it was challenging to keep the canine actors attentive as they were frequently distracted by the sight of a cat, causing them to wander off and potentially spoil an otherwise excellent take. So, if you notice a dog appearing to stare at something other than the action in “Parabellum” during your next viewing, it’s likely just fixated on an elusive cat that managed to escape!
Everyone’s stunt work is more impressive
Watching “John Wick” movies again highlights the incredible dedication everyone involved has towards stunt work. The action scenes in each film are not only strategically planned, but also gracefully executed, which greatly contributes to our cherished shots. However, those shots wouldn’t exist without the exceptionally devoted actors who bring the movie to life.
It’s common knowledge that Keanu Reeves has some martial arts skills under his belt. In fact, he performs approximately 90% of the stunts himself during the action sequences in the films, demonstrating his ability to fight, run, and handle firearms just like John Wick. His driving abilities are also impressive enough for him to perform a significant portion of the car stunts.
However, it’s not just Keanu Reeves who brings the action to life in this series. Halle Berry is another actor who deserves recognition for her dedication to the action. During the filming of “John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum,” she suffered three broken ribs during training, but she persevered and continued to fight with the same skill as Reeves.
What’s more, Berry even trained with the dogs in the movie so that they would obey her commands similarly to how they would respond to their professional trainers.
Absolutely, it’s important to note that not every daring move in a film can be pulled off by the actors themselves. The skilled stunt performers in the “John Wick” series are equally impressive and deserving of recognition. Watching behind-the-scenes footage of them leaping from buildings and tumbling down staircases repeatedly to capture those dramatic shots gives us a deeper respect for the thrilling action sequences that fill the movies.
Seeing Lance Reddick as Charon is emotional
On a second viewing of the “John Wick” series, Lance Reddick’s character, Charon, stands out as uniquely distinct. From the start, Charon was an enigmatic and puzzling figure. He’s a frequent presence at the Continental Hotel in New York City, where he appears to have a close relationship with all the assassins who lodge there. Initially, Charon’s calm and friendly personality in the first film seemed innocuous. However, after witnessing him fight alongside Winston and John in “Parabellum,” his demeanor in the initial movie takes on a more intimidating tone. While Charon is always ready to assist hotel guests, it’s now clear that he’s also more than equipped to deal with any threats posed by the hotel’s adversaries.
In “John Wick,” the character Charon might seem more menacing when you learn more about him, yet his scenes also carry a touch of sorrow. Sadly, Charon’s actor, Lance Reddick, passed away at the age of 60 in March 2023, and “John Wick: Chapter 4” was dedicated to his memory. It’s hard not to be reminded of this heartbreaking fact when Charon appears on screen for the first time. In “The Continental,” Ayomide Adegun portrayed a younger version of Charon, but the possibility of him returning for a prequel doesn’t make seeing Charon in future movies any less poignant now.
The coins have more weight
Initially, the original “John Wick” movie introduced viewers to an unusual, intensified world where assassins congregate at hidden hotels worldwide, trading favors through exchanges of mysterious gold coins without explicit explanation. Over time, subsequent “John Wick” films and associated spin-offs have provided more details about the lore subtly suggested in the first film. We’ve encountered a diverse range of characters from the assassin network, and learned that they use outdated technology to dispatch bounties via phone calls or radio transmissions.
As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but notice how the “John Wick” universe has grown richer and more intricate since its inception, yet there’s a certain charm about John’s initial escapades that seems to have faded over time. The gold coins serve as an illustrative example of how the enlarged “John Wick” mythos has altered the narrative landscape. In the spin-off series, “The Continental,” we uncover that these coins originate from a unique press once belonging to the High Table of assassins. The show delves into a gripping tale revolving around an audacious heist aimed at pilfering this precious coin press from the High Table itself.
As a die-hard gamer diving into “The Continental,” I found it weaving an engaging tale about the universe of “John Wick,” delving deeper into certain characters from the films. It’s a great read, no doubt, but what truly sets the original “John Wick” apart is its masterful creation of a whole world through intricate, subtle details. However, with countless wikis brimming with “John Wick” backstory, it’s a bit more challenging to appreciate that artistry as I once did.
We know Winston’s story now
The TV series titled “The Continental” is generally considered a disappointing addition to the “John Wick” movie series. This three-episode miniseries faced numerous hurdles during production, and it stirred controversy among fans due to the inclusion of Mel Gibson in a significant role. In our critique of “The Continental,” we highlighted one positive aspect: the portrayal of a young Winston, played by Colin Woodell.
In the “John Wick” film series, Winston, the manager of the New York Continental, is a dominant figure who is connected to the High Table. Despite his powerful position and frequent commands, he often goes against the grain to assist John unasked. The show doesn’t delve into how Winston got acquainted with John, but it does illustrate Winston’s journey to power and his initial connection with the New York Continental.
Rather than fully revealing all our questions about Winston as a character, “The Continual” instead crafts an intriguing history that leaves us with fresh inquiries. Despite its flaws, the series has made it challenging not to ponder the show’s narrative whenever we see Winston in movies. Here’s hoping that if “The Continental” continues Winston’s tale in future seasons, the second installment will improve upon the first.
John Wick is in all the action movies now
Upon revisiting the series, it’s striking to observe how profoundly “John Wick” revolutionized action movies in general. The initial film emerged unexpectedly and left audiences spellbound, since then, the John Wick franchise has evolved from a standalone popcorn movie into a comprehensive cinematic universe. This transformation is astonishing when you reflect on it while watching the films again. Moreover, there are numerous subtle ways that the influence of the first film has permeated Hollywood.
The unique visual aesthetic of the “John Wick” series stands out, and other action films have taken note by emphasizing carefully planned action sequences and extended shots. In contrast to modern movies like “The Gray Man,” which often incorporate more CGI and aerial shots from drones, they still lean towards lengthy, continuous takes as opposed to the rapid cuts characteristic of action films from the early 2000s, such as “The Bourne Identity.
The film “John Wick” has significantly influenced numerous action stories, particularly those centered around revenge and featuring elements common in genre fiction such as world-building. Films like “The Hitman’s Bodyguard” and “Hotel Artemis” are clear examples, while even the vengeful narrative of the brutally violent video game “The Last of Us: Part II” from 2020 shows some similarities. Today, “John Wick” transcends being a single movie or cinematic universe, and upon rewatching, you can truly appreciate how the series has expanded into the vast entity it has become.
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2025-06-11 04:01