It's all about the character and you see what he's going through, but it's also about the pauses, the uncomfortable silences. Time and time again he’s caught in the lie he built, wanting, wishing it was real. Their marriage was a happy one but only lasted for five years before Helen was diagnosed with a terminal illness. Gender In Chapter 2, John opens up a security box tucked away in a jewelry store and diamond exchange. In the John Wick films, he plays the world's most elite assassin, but past roles have included a cyberpunk warrior in The Matrix, a serial killer in The Watcher, and a member of SWAT in Speed. The franchise starts with the release of John Wick in 2014 followed by two parts, John Wick: Chapter 2 on February 11, 2017, and John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum on May 17, 2019. 2 keanu reeves in real life vs as john wick For one of the most down-to-Earth and humble actors in Hollywood, Keanu Reeves has played some pretty aggressive roles. Look below to find eight contract killers who were once nearly as dangerous as John Wick. Wick, was working for Viggo Tarasov and his criminal organization as a hitman at the time. Because of rampant discrimination against the Ruska Roma, the Russian government refuses to issue them passports so they cannot legally escape systemic terrible work and living conditions that lead to exploitation and incarceration. The Ruska Roma are also a matrilineal society, which further explains why the Director would be a woman. Movies. Status And immediately that chance of being the person his wife wanted him to be was ripped from him," says Leitch. Mosca himself even makes a cameo in Chapter 2 as the tailor who outfits John Wick in Rome. Portrayed by The coins and markers seen throughout the franchise are considered part of this feudal social contract, as well as being something of a business card. With his wife's final gift gone, John reverted to his former self and proceeded to avenge both Daisy and the last memory of his wife, destroying the Tarasov Mob in the process. John Wick is an American neo-noir action-thriller media franchise created by screenwriter Derek Kolstad and owned by Summit Entertainment. The Real-Life Inspirations Behind Everything In The John Wick Universe. This fact applies as well to the variety of tattoos shown onscreen, especially those worn by John and the members of the ballet Institute where he was raised. Up until the 17th century in Europe, the political, social, and cultural system of feudalism marked how most people lived and organized in a given area. From its production design to extensive worldbuilding, there is so much that sets the John Wick franchise apart from other action movies. Just as John Wick needs special lining in his suits that won't disrupt the lines of the fabric and cut, so too does Keanu Reeves need room in the suit lining for padding and other protective gear, as the majority of his fight scenes take place in those suits. Minimalism was a style of art and architecture first emerging in the 1960s that broke from the more elaborate styles that came before. Release Calendar DVD & Blu-ray Releases Top Rated Movies Most Popular Movies Browse Movies by Genre Top Box Office Showtimes & Tickets Showtimes & Tickets In Theaters Coming Soon Coming Soon Movie News India Movie Spotlight. Until that dog arrived on my doorstep. Since Stahelski was one of Bruce Lee's students as well as a good friend of his son Brandon, Stahelski of course credits Lee's impact on him both personally and professionally. Full name Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist gets credit for John Wick's origin story at the Institute, as well as the Bowery King (Lawrence Fishburne) who was modeled after professional pickpocket Charles Fagin. Aside from the library, the city of New York was huge inspiration for Stahelski all by itself. John Leguizamo, Ian McShane, David Patrick Kelly, Clarke Peters, Kevin Nash. We just didn't want to clutter it. According to writer Kolstad, the Operators were inspired by the Suicide Girls, an early 2000s community of alternative pinup models and performance artists who broke the traditional mold of that genre with their unique tattoos and all body types represented. But the Wickiverse is heavily rooted in actual people, places, and things — which is likely one of the reasons the franchise has resonated so deeply even with audiences who don't normally go for car chases or gun-fu fighting amid the ever-deepening world building of the High Table and beyond. John Wick slips into recluse and practices solitude after the death of his beloved wife in the movie. John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. The influence of Western ballet on the John Wick franchise also folds perfectly into the wuxia style of action filmmaking. John Wick - Masterlist ... unknown men try to kill you, but someone steps in and saves your life. After John declined a job offer by Santino, the Italian mobster blew up the Wick residence, destroying many of John's photos and mementos from Helen. We see this exact scenario play out in Rome between John and Cassian (Common) who are in a knock-down drag-em-out brawl that lands them through a Continental window. John Wick: 15 Secrets Only Real Fans Know (And 10 Juicy Rumors About Part 3) CBR checked into the world of John Wick to bring you 15 behind-the-scenes secrets and rumors regarding the final film of the trilogy. So start with. Deceased During the grace period afforded to him by Winston, John retrieves a photo of Helen from a hidden stash in the New York Public Library, along with Sofia's marker, several gold coins, and his ticket. John Wick. Whacking a boss. From John's own background to the stupendous fight choreography, here are the real-life inspirations behind everything in the John Wick universe. I read an interview with Bridget Moynahan who played Helen, his wife. Keanu Reeves plays John Wick, a retired hitman seeking vengeance for the killing of the dog given to him by his recently deceased wife, and for stealing his car.. The High Table has its ruling class around the world, and people like John Wick and his assassin colleagues the Adjudicator (Asia Kate Dillon), Aurelio (John Leguizamo), and the Continental's concierge Charon (Lance Reddick) all serve those respective "lords." Vigilance Elite just released footage from a training session with Reeves for John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, and you can see that he’s training like an operator, not just an actor.In the video below, trainer and former Navy SEAL Shawn Ryan walks Reeves through room clearing with a rifle — in particular, negotiating the “fatal funnel.” In that moment I received some semblance of hope. Being a fan of Campbell's theories, Chad Stahelski decided to channel these universal mythological underpinnings into the story and psychology of the John Wick franchise. A fief was a plot of land that was entrusted to a subject by the owner in exchange for the subject's loyalty, who tended the property in exchange for protection by the much wealthier and powerful owner. Thanks to John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum, we finally know more about John Wick's origin, and even what his real name is.The action-heavy franchise that revived Keanu Reeves' career in many ways is back in theaters with another installment, and while the action is top notch as usual, the third entry in the John Wick franchise also spends plenty of time exploring the larger assassin world. Created by Chad Stahelski and David Leitch and written by Derek Kolstad, the high-powered underworld thriller featuring Keanu Reeves as one of the deadliest assassins known to man feels as removed from reality as most action franchises. Talking to Thrillist, Stahelski noted that New York's Continental manager, Winston (Ian McShane), is representative of the god of the underworld Hades, which also explains why the concierge is named Charon — Charon was Hades' right-hand man who brought the dead across the River Styx to their new home. Even though the John Wick franchise continues to push the envelope when it comes to fight scenes, it was still a surprising move that John would battle a giant assassin (played by basketball star Boban Marjanovic) right there in the crowded book stacks — another homage to Bruce Lee, specifically his fight with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in Game of Death. And in Chapter 3, John has Sofia Al-Azwar's (Halle Berry) marker stashed in a book of Russian fairy tales at the New York Public Library, along with one of the last remaining photographs of his wife Helen. Stahelski tells Esquire: "To spend a year of my life with the Wachowskis, and to see how they make film, was a life-changing event. Arthurian legends also come into play here; Stahelski and writer Kolstad explore the notion of chivalry and how this relates to the idea of "honor among thieves" that we see in John Wick's universe, as well as the Round Table where Arthur and his soldiers meet to organize. By using our Services, you agree to our use of cookies. The enigmatic Operators are all also dressed like '50s pinup girls in matching pink shirts and black skirts, and everyone is heavily tattooed in a popular rockabilly style. Hahah :) Keanu Reeves in the John Wick Keanu Reeves Movies in real life – popular memes on the site ifunny.co "Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat," written across John's back, means something along the lines of "Fortune Saves the Strong," which sums up Wick's story and character in just a few words. John's wife collapses and then dies in the hospital, despite the movie never telling me what's wrong with her. According to John Wick writer Derek Kolstad, this neutral space was based on the real-life country of Switzerland and its non-political status in the region and in particular during times of war. Not to mention that he committed murder at The Continental, which functions as a safe haven for traveling assassins. Stahelski had been Reeves' stunt double for the majority of the Matrix movies and through working together for so many years, they became friends as well as colleagues. Keanu Reeves' Tragic Real Life Story Stuart C. Wilson / Getty Images By Christian Baker AND Todd Jacobs / Sept. 28, 2017 4:32 pm EST / Updated: April 20, 2020 7:05 am EST "John Wick started living life with this dog. For example, the praying hands in the center of John's back are based on Albrecht Dürer's "Study of the Hands of an Apostle," which signifies loyalty in the Wickiverse as well as doubling as a "ticket" that saves his life from the huge bounty placed by the High Table. As its name implies, minimalism has a "less is more" aesthetic that relies on clean lines, bold looks, and strategic use of color for maximum effect. After making a truce with the last survivor of the Tarasov family, John claimed both his car and a picture of him and Helen within it. Take your favorite fandoms with you and never miss a beat. Not cramming a character's story down someone's throat." He lives alone in a faraway land with his little puppy, Daisy, away from all the inhibitions of the world. While a minor, posthumous character within the John Wick movie series, Helen's death serves as the catalyst to John's slow return to the world of assassinations, and she appears in flashbacks and photographs throughout the movies. Following this incident, John was visited by his old associate Santino D'Antonio, the man who helped him finish Viggo's "impossible task" and marry Helen. In the film, John Wick is an outlaw, hunted for breaking the rules set by the High Table. Ruska Roma babies are often refused birth certificates, which in many ways makes them a stateless people in spite of being confined within Russia's borders. 1. Details As he looked around it occurred to him it would be an excellent spot for a fight scene, and so they made it happen for John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum. John Wick (retroactively known as John Wick: Chapter 1) is a 2014 American neo-noir action-thriller film directed by Chad Stahelski, in his directorial debut, and written by Derek Kolstad.It stars Keanu Reeves, Michael Nyqvist, Alfie Allen, Adrianne Palicki, Bridget Moynahan, Dean Winters, Ian McShane, John Leguizamo, and Willem Dafoe.It is the first installment in the John Wick film series. These John Wick quotes will excite and thrill you. Bridget Moynahan To sit back and watch them work was the Harvard of film school.". ... "John Wick started living life with this dog. For a high-tech assassin and criminal underworld that has John Wick and company suited up in weapons-grade materials with a plethora of the most efficient killing machines at hand, the reveal that the Continental's administrative Switchboard uses paper, rubber stamps, chalkboards, and old-fashioned Telex machines is jarring at first. Akira Kurosawa's samurai aesthetic plays a huge part in the Wickiverse, and so does Jackie Chan, as like Chan, Keanu Reeves does virtually all his own Wick stunts. Following the rules, they dust themselves off and have a whiskey at the bar, continuing their fight once they're off the Continental Rome's palatial grounds. https://johnwick.fandom.com/wiki/Helen_Wick?oldid=5640, John, I'm sorry I can't be there for you. With John Wick's extraordinary fighting and healing abilities as well as constant death-defying stunts, John might as well be considered a superhero for all that he is incredibly able to accomplish. Coining the phrase "gun-fu" to describe one of the fighting styles often used in John Wick, Stahelski has blended influences from around the world to create a singular universe that simultaneously relies on ancient storytelling methods while creating something new. But the Wachowski connection doesn't end there. This was cut short when Iosef Tarasov - Viggo's son - broke into the Wick residence, stole John's car, and killed Daisy. And Chad Stahelski found surprising influence in 1952's Singin' in the Rain when it came time to choreograph fight scenes. Also, the High Table is challenged in the John Wick films, just as feudalism eventually was in real life. Release Calendar DVD & Blu-ray Releases Top Rated Movies Most Popular Movies Browse Movies by Genre Top Box Office Showtimes & Tickets Showtimes & Tickets In Theaters Coming Soon Coming Soon Movie News India Movie Spotlight. As the John Wick universe has revealed more of its secrets, we've learned that John had more than one hiding place for the gold coins, markers, and weapons underneath his house. Last fall, on the set of “John Wick,” Keanu Reeves lazily lay in bed, curled up with his co-star as they awoke to their 6 a.m. alarm. Helen and John fell in love, and it was Helen that caused John to complete one final task for Viggo and retire from the life of killing. When it comes to minimalism in the John Wick movies, director Chad Stahelski told Complex: "The shots are simple. The real life dog behind Daisy. It's gratifying it in its own right, in its simplicity.". But because Keanu Reeves is such an arms master at this point, he's actually able to reload his guns quickly enough to incorporate the action as part of the choreography. John Wick truly has global inspirations thanks to Chad Stahelski and his team, and another specific mythology that informs the franchise is the influence of Chinese wuxia films. American Designed by modernist architect Alvario Siza, John's house features amazing natural light, sleek lines, elegant furnishings, and most importantly privacy. Joseph Campbell was a professor of mythology and literature whose academic work revolved around what we now call "the hero's journey" as well as the notion of monomyths, the idea that all mythology in the world comes from a shared point of human experience. So far, minimalism has been incredibly effective in keeping audiences riveted to the John Wick series. The Continental has one simple rule, "No business conducted on Continental grounds," which translates to no killing allowed when on Continental property. As Mosca details his design process, it's no small feat to get Reeves to look like he's fighting as effortlessly as he does in the suits, making them almost their own characters in the Wickiverse. The two married shortly afterward, and Helen bought her new husband a vintage car. But when it comes to the fight scenes in particular, Chad Stahelski has opted for a much higher level of realism than many other action films. Cookies help us deliver our Services. The towering Ernest met his end when John Wick proved words can hurt… well, when you use a leather-bound book as a blunt instrument on a person’s head, that is. Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. While a minor, posthumous character within the John Wick movie series, Helen's death serves as the catalyst to John's slow return to the world of assassinations, and she appears in flashbacks and photographs throughout the movies. From Sergio Leone's so-called spaghetti westerns to a plethora of martial arts films, creators David Leitch and Chad Stahelski have noted their personal obsession with the action films of the '60s and '70s, in particular Point Blank. Keanu Reeves is a Canadian actor who is best known for his role in the Matrix movies where he received a combined pay of around $250 million. (anchor) NEW YORK locations. In this same minimalist vein, John and Helen's house itself ended up informing John's own character and psychology. Movies. Kolstad told Polygon, "I loved those noir-ish movies where you had East Germany and West Germany, you had the two different agents, but as soon as they're in Switzerland, it's like, 'Well, all right, let's get a drink.'" While John Wick star Keanu Reeves is a multiracial Asian man and his in-movie adopted mother the Director (Anjelica Houston) is ethnically white in real life, in John Wick Chapter 3 … The man takes you to the Continental, the only place you’ll be safe ... is everything he can think about. The answer is Matrix franchise masterminds the Wachowskis. A final gift from my wife. By Sarah LaPointe Published Jun 29, 2018. Keanu Reeves is back at it. Keanu Reeves plays the character John Wick, a retired hitman seeking revenge for the killing of the dog given to him by his lately deceased wife. John Wick's Bowery King is played by Lawrence Fishburne, who played Morpheus in the Matrix movies, bringing Reeves and Fishburne together for the first time since their work on that franchise. Other latest films which Keanu Reeves has appeared on are Siberia 2018, Replicas 2018, Destination Wedding 2018 and Always Be My Maybe set to be released in 2019 it’s on the filming stage. John Wick star Mark Dacascos on TERRIFYING scenario of casting real-life daughter in film THE DRIVER delves into the zombie horror genre with a twist, as a … John Wick co-director David Leitch also worked as a stunt double on the Matrix set. In John Wick: Chapter 2, Wick's attempt to live a normal life is once again interrupted when someone lures him out of retirement again, this time as part of an international conspiracy. John WickJohn Wick: Chapter 2John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum. John Wick’s House is as Mysterious as Our Favorite Badass Character The secluded house where Keanu Reeves’ character lives in the first John Wick movie is even more stunning in real life… She said that she didn't want to know John Wicks back story before she portrayed Helen as it would affect the character we would see on screen. In the John Wick universe, this same medieval system of feudalism inspires the High Table and its functionality. The John Wick universe has revealed itself in small doses over the course of three movies, and it's in Chapter 2 that we find out part of John's extraordinary power is partially due to a turbo-charged suit that also includes bulletproof "tactical" lining. Helen Wick Also, Randall Duk-Kim, the Keymaker from Matrix Reloaded, plays the sympathetic doctor who helps John in John Wick and John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum. Nationality Another onscreen trick that action fans will have noticed is how often John Wick reloads his guns. The John Wicki is a FANDOM Movies Community. When the film starts, John Wick is a grieving widower whose only joys in life are his kickass ride and his adorable dog. He murdered one of its 12 members and thus must pay with his life. They were also inspired by comic book aesthetics, which is why the production design often looks like a shifting watercolor painting. Relating to Joseph Campbell's idea of the monomyth and dating back to the Qing dynasty, wuxia stories revolve around a wandering warrior who helps put-upon regular folks in need, often through defeating a more powerful member of society who is exploiting or abusing commoners.