John Leguizamo, known for his roles in movies like Romeo + Juliet and Moulin Rouge!, recently spoke about having scenes cut from the popular action series John Wick. The actor played a character named Aurelio who helped out Keanu Reeves’ character, John Wick, in the first two John Wick films.
While he was bummed at first, this experience actually led him to something positive: directing his own movie! The 63-year-old then directed his own feature film, and maybe we’ll see him behind the camera more in the future now.
John Leguizamo Important Scenes were Cut From John Wick 3
John Leguizamo played Aurelio, a mechanic who helps John Wick (Keanu Reeves), in the first two John Wick movies. However, Aurelio’s part got much smaller in the second film, and he wasn’t in the third one (John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum) at all!
Leguizamo wasn’t too happy about his character getting cut down in John Wick 3. He said in an interview with Looper, “There was a lot of stuff that got cut that was so painful. […].” The Latino actor continued:
As an actor, I don’t [understand being cut], but as a filmmaker, I do. So, I have to make peace [with] myself. As a filmmaker, yeah, there are a lot of great performances that sometimes have to go. And as an actor, it’s impossible. That part of you that knows that you did great work and funny and really inventive stuff that didn’t get seen […] you’ll always hurt.
He added that “In 2, I had a fight sequence, I had a backstory […] I had a whole plot.” The Infiltrator star even hinted that he might share the script someday, showing what fans missed out on.
John Leguizamo Saw Opportunity in John Wick 3 Scene Cuts
John Leguizamo didn’t let the cuts get him down. Instead, he saw it as a chance to explore new opportunities. The talented artist even said that if he had filmed John Wick 3, he wouldn’t have been able to work on his other project (referencing directing his own movie). Johnny Leggs said in the same interview:
I’m cool. All this stuff leads me to other great aspects of life. Being shut down there opened this up. If I did John Wick 3, I wouldn’t be doing Critical Thinking.
Critical Thinking is a biographical drama about a teacher who helps a chess team from a tough neighborhood win a big competition. This film marks the first time Leguizamo has directed a full-length movie, giving fans a chance to see his skills beyond acting. It currently has 94% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes and has received positive reviews from critics as well.
Despite the disappointment of being cut from the third part, the Bogotá native remains open to reprising his role in future installments of John Wick. “Yeah, if they ask me, I’m not going to say no. I’m not an idiot,” he said with a laugh.
Watch Critical Thinking and John Wick 3 on Apple TV.
Frequently asked questions
Why was John Leguizamo’s character cut from the John Wick franchise?
Leguizamo played Aurelio, a mechanic who assisted Keanu Reeves’ character, but his role shrank significantly in John Wick: Chapter 2 and disappeared entirely from Chapter 3 – Parabellum. He told Looper that a full fight sequence, backstory, and plot arc for his character were removed from the second film’s final cut.
How did John Leguizamo react to having his John Wick scenes cut?
Leguizamo said the experience was difficult as an actor, even though he understood the decision as a filmmaker, explaining that knowing you did great, inventive work that never gets seen always hurts. He said he might eventually share the unused script pages so audiences can see what was left out.
Would John Leguizamo return to the John Wick franchise?
Leguizamo said he remains open to returning if asked, joking that he is not an idiot and would not turn down the opportunity. He also noted that being cut from Chapter 3 allowed him to direct Critical Thinking, his feature directorial debut, which earned a 94 percent Rotten Tomatoes score.
