Keanu Reeves is back with the highly anticipated installment of his blockbuster franchise, the return of John Wick in Chapter 4. With the film’s release just around the corner, the 58-year-old actor recently sat down with Agence France-Presse (AFP) to discuss the new film, his love for physical filmmaking and returning to Paris after 35 years. Oh, Keanu Reeves also mentioned that he sees action as ‘almost ballet’, here’s what to know.
John Wick is a thrilling action movie that follows the story of a retired hitman who seeks revenge against a gang of criminals who killed his beloved dog – the last gift from his recently deceased wife. With intense fight scenes and impressive choreography, the movie takes viewers on a wild ride as John Wick uses his lethal skills and tactical mind to take down his enemies one by one.
Keanu Reeves on Action Scenes in John Wick 4
Reeves is known for his love of physical filmmaking, and Keanu Reeves redefines action movies with an ‘almost ballet’ performance in ‘John Wick’. The film features some of the most expertly coordinated action scenes ever put on screen, with Reeves himself performing many of the stunts.
“We use digital technology, but we’re more into the flesh-and-blood, visceral celebration of the movement of bodies, of the violence — it’s almost ballet, you know,” Reeves said.
- The actor sees the film’s action scenes as “almost ballet”, and he credits the film’s success to its instinctive movement of bodies and violence. We have to appreciate and put our hands down on the fluidity of stunts performed in John Wick, and of course, how they manage to put everything in place, perfectly.
- After how many action movies Reeves got in, pretty sure he got the hand on it. The John Wick franchise has been known to have one of the most jam-packed action scenes (and bloodshed). And we think, we’re about to see another one when it drops late this March!
Reeves and Paris: A Long-Awaited Reunion
Reeves first visited Paris more than 35 years ago to film the period drama “Dangerous Liaisons”. This time around, he returned to the city of love to film “John Wick: Chapter 4”. The actor spoke fondly of his time in the city and the experience of filming in some of its most iconic locations, including Montmartre, the Trocadero, and the Arc de Triomphe.
“To be able to go to the places that we did with ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’, like filming in front of the Sacre-Coeur and the steps up to it in Montmartre, to be in the canal underneath the city, to be on the streets shooting at night — it was very special,” Reeves said.
Iconic Role: Keanu Reeves as John Wick
When the first “John Wick” film hit theaters in 2014, few could have predicted that it would become such an iconic role for Keanu Reeves. The franchise, helmed by Reeves’ stunt double from “The Matrix”, Chad Stahelski, has become one of the most successful action series of all time. For Reeves, the role of John Wick is a testament to the power of physical filmmaking and the importance of storytelling.
Approaching 60, Reeves acknowledges that he may be getting too old for all those painful-looking fight scenes. However, the actor isn’t ready to hang up his suit and guns just yet. He continues to train for months before filming and relies on teams of stunt people to help him pull off the film’s impressive stunts.
Beyond the high-octane action scenes, Reeves believes it’s the internal tension of the main character that keeps audiences captivated. John Wick is a man at war with himself, torn between his past as an assassin and his desire to leave that life behind.
- That’s what makes John Wick’s character so fascinating to watch. The interplay between Wick’s assassin’s side and John Wick’s just wanting to live a normal life. And exactly, could they just let the man successfully retire?! Well, we can’t tell what happens in the fourth installment though! He needs to survive as he got a whole world of assassins running for the prize on his head.
What’s next for John Wick?
With “John Wick: Chapter 4” set to hit theaters next week, fans are already wondering what the future holds for the franchise. Reeves remains tight-lipped about any potential sequels of the franchise. Nonetheless, he acknowledges that the character of John Wick has been a life-changing experience for him, along with the character of Neo in The Matrix.
The John Wick franchise sure knows the masterful blend of intense action and emotional depth that captivated audiences around the world.
We hope we can see more of Keanu Reeves’ John Wick until he can. Catch Keanu Reeves in his action movie once again, John Wick: Chapter 4 in theaters starting March 24, 2023.
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