Here’s how Keanu Reeves defended the emotional core of ‘John Wick’ – ThePrint – ANIFeed

Washington (US), October 28 (ANI): At a recent retrospective to mark the 10th anniversary of John Wick, producers David Leitch and Chad Stahelski shared some interesting thoughts about the film’s pivotal moment.

Reeves, known for his passionate dedication to his roles, played a crucial role in ensuring this heartbreaking scene made it to the final cut, according to Deadline.

Leitch recounted the initial resistance they encountered and said: “We were told, ‘It’s bad luck. This is bad juju. This is Old Yeller; you can’t do this! Nobody wants to see this on screen; You’ll alienate the public.”

He argued: “We are going to execute people at close range; killing a dog is one thing, but what about the brutal massacre of all these people? Will they be able to accept it?

Their desire to create a true genre film drove their decision, according to Deadline.

In the film, Reeves plays John Wick, a retired assassin whose life takes a tragic turn when bandits steal his beloved car and kill the puppy his late wife gave him.

This brutal act sets Wick on a relentless quest for revenge against the very underworld he once left behind.

Stahelski added, “Dave and I were very clear about how we were going to shoot that scene. We were going to use a baby lens; John has been hit hard on the head so it will be like a dream; the dog’s death happens off-screen, and all you see afterwards is a trail of blood, making it look like the puppy was trying to crawl towards him,” according to Deadline.

Recalling the day of filming, Stahelski described a vulnerable moment when Reeves played with a stuffed dog, embodying his character’s grief.

“He’s all beaten up. He looks terrible in his pajamas. Everyone behind the monitors must have thought, “Okay, this is the worst idea; these aspiring directors are finished,” Stahelski said.

Despite calls for an alternate ending in which the puppy survives, Reeves stood firm behind the original concept. “Keanu stood up for us,” Stahelski noted, “and in the end they just thought, ‘Screw it, let’s see what these guys can do.’

The emotional weight of this moment paid off; John Wick (2014) grossed over US$86 million worldwide, and the franchise surpassed the US$1 billion mark with John Wick: Chapter 4, according to Deadline.

The saga is far from over: the upcoming film From the World of John Wick: Ballerina starring Ana de Armas will be released in theaters on June 6, 2025.

Additionally, Donnie Yen will reprise his role as veteran assassin Kane in the new Lionsgate film, and an anime prequel is also in development.

Fans can also look forward to limited series The Continental and a sequel to John Wick: Under the High Table in development. (ANI)

This report is automatically generated by ANI News Service. ThePrint is not responsible for its content.