With the forthcoming New York City production of John Wick 2 looming, expect more press to come for the remainder of the year. That includes a new report from Collider confirming that Chad Stahelski will helm the film in his first solo debut with actor Keanu Reeves returning to star.
Stahelski received solo billing in the end credits for the first film in which he actually shares directorial credits with David Leitch. Both filmmakers have extensive shared credits in premiere film stuntwork and second unit direction, and also lend their services via their stunt training facility, 87 Eleven Action Design, where multitudes of actors have trained for a number of roles in major blockbuster action films, including Reeves. Leitch is serving as executive producer with acclaimed fight choreographer J.J. Perry designing the action.
John Wick grew in notoriety upon its late 2014 release following its Fantastic Fest premiere, with Reeves‘s portrayal of a former assassin whose shot at a new life is tragically taken by his former employer’s son, forcing Wick to wage a one-man war against the Russian mob.
The first film was a step away from many of the big movies that Reeves used to get sought for, including the 1999-2003 trilogy, The Matrix. Similarly, the film and its upcoming sequel have paved the way for an electric return for R-rated action apart from films like The Expendables and Escape Plan, as well as serving as an excellent foray into something now lauded by many fans as an original franchise full of potential and otherwise well worthy of a sequel.
Needless to say, that step away is a forward one.
Stay tuned for more info.