Keanu Reeves Granted ‘John Wick’ Director’s 1 Greatest Anime Fantasy Wish in Franchise That Grossed Over a Billion Dollars

The John Wick franchise, headlined by the iconic Keanu Reeves, has asserted its dominance within the action film realm through its adrenaline-pumping action sequences and gripping narrative. The guiding hand of Director Chad Stahelski has been pivotal in shaping this saga into a cinematic powerhouse. In a revealing interview, Stahelski unveiled intriguing insights into the franchise’s creation.

The director mentioned a specific shot that stemmed directly from his deep-rooted love for anime. It’s no longer a hidden truth that the entirety of the John Wick series draws profound inspiration from the captivating realms of Japanese cinema and anime. This revelation unveils a deliberate and masterful infusion of these influences, elevating the films beyond conventional action fare.

Chad Stahelski’s Anime-Inspired Vision crafted the John Wick Franchise

The John Wick universe has seamlessly integrated elements of Japanese culture throughout the storyline. At the helm of this series stands Chad Stahelski, a fervent enthusiast of Asian cinema and Japanese traditions. During a conversation on Josh Horowitz’s podcast regarding the latest installment, John Wick: Chapter 4, Stahelski delved into a particular shot that bore the imprint of his most cherished anime-inspired vision.

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This shot, meticulously crafted by the director, depicted Keanu Reeves in silhouette, devoid of any spoken words. It was an over-the-shoulder composition, with the backdrop adorned either by a resplendent array of neon lights or a breathtaking vista of cherry blossoms. This cinematic tableau had been a vivid image in Stahelski’s mind long before it was brought to life on screen. Stahelski told Josh Horowitz,

“Yeah, I, I just, with the, the messy hair and the ne noir on the background on the neon like that, that shot and the shot of a cure looking over her shoulder where I’m a huge manga and anime guy. I, I concierge, there’s probably not a day goes by that I don’t look at one or the other. And something about the cherry blossoms and the neon that I wanted to be like, that shot was in my head.”

The director’s dedication to realizing this vision was evident as he painstakingly filmed the sequence not once or twice, but three times, in pursuit of capturing the classic moment. Remarkably, Keanu Reeves, in unwavering support of Stahelski’s directorial precision, granted the opportunity to shoot the scene thrice. The final iteration showcased in the film was the culmination of this meticulous endeavor. This unwavering dedication to achieving artistic accuracy endeared it to audiences by rendering it relatable and visually captivating.

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Keanu Reeves’ John Wick Franchise Joins the Prestigious Billion-Dollar Box Office Club

The John Wick film series has quickly become a juggernaut, joining the elite club of billion-dollar franchises. Comprising four movies starring Keanu Reeves as the iconic protagonist, Lionsgate’s John Wick franchise has officially surpassed the $1 billion mark in global box office revenue. Remarkably, each installment of the series has outperformed its predecessor, a rarity in the ever-competitive landscape of Hollywood.

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Joe Drake, the head of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, expressed immense pride in the franchise’s remarkable milestone. He told (via Deadline),

“This milestone is a testament to the incredible work of Chad Stahelski and Keanu Reeves, alongside Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee, who have made it their mission to outdo themselves with each successive film in this franchise. We could not be more grateful to global moviegoers for bringing us to this incredible achievement.”

The first film, John Wick, earned $87.7 million, boasting an estimated budget ranging from $20 million to $30 million. Its sequel, John Wick: Chapter 2, grossed $171.5 million against a $40 million budget. Subsequently, John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum soared to $326.7 million, crafted with a $75 million budget. The latest installment, John Wick: Chapter 4, has amassed $440.1 million, created with an estimated budget of $100 million. Collectively, the four movies have earned a total of $1.011 billion in box office earnings worldwide.