John Wick star Keanu Reeves championed the preservation of a crucial storyline in the film despite apprehension from financiers. Released in 2014, John Wick is an American action thriller co-directed by Chad Stahelski and David Leitch that follows the journey of a retired hitman (Keanu Reeves) who embarks on a relentless quest for vengeance against Russian gangsters who killed Daisy, his dog and final gift from his recently deceased wife. Since its inception, the neo-noir action film has evolved into a popular franchise with a cult following.
In an interview with Business Insider, co-directors Stahelski and Leitch revealed the financiers’ hesitation in including Daisy’s—albeit, off-screen—death, and how the star of the film, Reeves, came to defend them. At the heart of John Wick‘s narrative lies the death of Daisy, Wick’s canine companion. The emotional weight of Daisy’s death, combined with the recent death of his wife, creates a perfect storm of motivation for the retired hitman, driving him to unleash his formidable skills upon those who have wronged him.
Leitch: We were told, “It’s bad luck.” “It’s bad juju.” “It’s ‘Old Yeller,’ you can’t do this!” “No one will want to see this on screen; you’re going to alienate the audience.” And I’m like, “We’re going to execute people at close range; killing the dog is one thing, but what about the brutal massacre of all these human beings? Are they going to be able to accept that?” They didn’t understand that we were making a genre movie. We are genre fans to the core, and we know those hard-boiled moments are what make memorable moments.
Stahelski: Dave and I were very in sync on how we were going to shoot the scene. We were going to use a baby lens; John gets hit hard in the head, so it’s going to be dream-like; the dog death happens off-camera, and all you are going to see in the aftermath is this trail of the blood making it look like the puppy tried to crawl to him. So on the day, Keanu was acting with a stuffed dog. Crying. He’s all beat up. He looks awful in his pajamas. Everyone behind the monitors must have thought, “Okay, this is the worst idea; these first-time directors are done.” For the next couple of weeks it was suggested that we shoot an alternative ending revealing that the puppy actually isn’t dead. But Keanu stood up for us. And Basil stood up to the investors, and eventually, they just felt, “F*ck it, let’s see what these guys can do.”
What The Hesitation Meant For John Wick
The Beloved Franchise Almost Lost its Central Plot
The John Wick franchise, renowned for its exhilarating action and compelling storyline, faced a decisive crossroad during its development that could have dramatically altered its narrative trajectory. This hesitation stemmed from concerns about audience reception and potential backlash, highlighting the delicate balance filmmakers must strike between their creative vision and the film’s commercial viability.
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Despite these reservations, John Wick‘s creative team, bolstered by the support of lead actor Keanu Reeves, stood firm in their commitment to the original storyline. Their determination to maintain the integrity of the plot ultimately prevailed, with Wick’s dogs eventually becoming an important part of the franchise and a fan-favorite element of the movies. The near-miss of losing this crucial plot point serves as a testament to the importance of artistic conviction in the face of studio apprehension.
Our Take on Daisy in John Wick
Being True to the Genre is Important
The decision to keep Daisy’s death in John Wick demonstrates the importance of staying true to the genre. This pivotal plot point not only sets the emotional tone for the entire franchise but also aligns with the hard-boiled, bloodied moments characteristic of neo-noir action thrillers. By maintaining this element, Leitch and Stahleski honored the expectations of genre fans while creating a memorable and impactful narrative that resonates with audiences still as Wick goes on to amass even more canine friends throughout the franchise.
Source: Business Insider
John Wick is the first entry in the action-thriller franchise directed by Chad Stahelski and starring Keanu Reeves. Retired hitman John is brought back into the field when the dog his recently deceased life left him is murdered. Full of rage and equipped with unparalleled combat skills, John begins to track down the ones responsible for the act of violence and lays waste to any who dare to cross his path, sending panic throughout the criminal underworld.
- Director
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David Leitch
, Chad Stahelski - Release Date
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October 24, 2014
- Studio(s)
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Thunder Road Pictures
, 87Eleven Productions - Distributor(s)
-
Summit Entertainment
- Writers
-
Derek Kolstad
- Runtime
-
101 Minutes
- Budget
-
$20-30 Million
John Wick is the first entry in the action-thriller franchise directed by Chad Stahelski and starring Keanu Reeves. Retired hitman John is brought back into the field when the dog his recently deceased life left him is murdered. Full of rage and equipped with unparalleled combat skills, John begins to track down the ones responsible for the act of violence and lays waste to any who dare to cross his path, sending panic throughout the criminal underworld.
- Director
-
David Leitch
, Chad Stahelski - Studio(s)
-
Thunder Road Pictures
, 87Eleven Productions - Writers
-
Derek Kolstad
