chad stahelski

FANTASTIC FEST 2014: JOHN WICK Takes Aim In A New Poster

WICK IS PAIN Trailer Reveals The Pain Behind The Gain Of The Hit ‘John Wick’ Franchise

Read enough interviews online and you’ll get a nifty glimpse as to just what it took to make 2014 action hit John Wick a reality. Of course, that’s a lot of reading, so leave it to Lionsgate and director Jeffrey Doe to take all the good and bad of the historical making of the hitman saga and roll it all into one documentarial blunt to get high as fuck off of… That now brings us to the official trailer for Wick Is Pain, which looks to do exactly that. It’s a great little bookmark for marketing at that with the pending release of Ana de Armas’s own starring contribution to the franchise in Ballerina: From The World Of John Wick coming in June. Then there’s the Donnie Yen spin-off and the upcoming animated prequel all unveiled in the past year, and obviously, a fifth in the canon which is still […]

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KAROSHI Sets Summer Shoot, Adds Cynthia Erivo To The 87Eleven-Produced Action Pic

Lee B. Golden III

The WICKED star joins Isabel May and Teo Yoo in the new action thriller for Lionsgate.

A man in a black suit standing center-aisle in a church.

JOHN WICK: New Poster And More For The Tenth Anniversary Celebration And Re-Release In November!

Lee B. Golden III

Today is all things John Wick as Lionsgate queues up fans for a tenth anniversarial re-release on November 3 and 6 through Fathom Events. A new poster is being doled out as well with more below and just beneath the artwork. SANTA MONICA, Calif., October 24, 2024—Today marks the tenth anniversary of the October 24, 2014 release of John Wick, the movie that redefined the action genre, starring Keanu Reeves, directed by Chad Stahelski, written by Derek Kolstad, and produced by Basil Iwanyk, David Leitch, Eva Longoria, and Michael Witherill. With each successive film in the franchise, the universe of John Wick has expanded, the stakes raised, and—for the filmmakers—the challenge to outdo themselves accepted. To celebrate ten years since the film that started it all, Lionsgate will celebrate a decade of Wick by kicking off a year of special events, anniversary screenings, new experiences, and collectible merchandise, culminating in […]

[UPDATED] JOHN WICK Kills His Way Back Into Theaters In November!

Lee B. Golden III

Updated 12:52pm EST with official trailer Earlier: Lionsgate is revving up a new campaign to re-release hit action thriller John Wick back into theaters for its tenth anniversary on November 3 and November 6 from Fathom Events. The studio also just rolled out a brand new poster below for the occasion on Monday which you can view at the bottom of the page. Produced in part by Thunder Road and 87Eleven Productions, the Chad Stahelski-helmed movie hailed the start of a new era in action direction for stunt professionals aiming toward the director’s chair. Rejoining Stahelski with fellow Matrix franchise colleague and starring actor Keanu Reeves, the inaugural launchpad for the John Wick franchise became a world-building affair that follows the revenge-fueled exploits of a widower and ex-hitman violently pulled back into his former throes of The Continental, where the path to redemption can only be paid in blood and […]

JOHN WICK: UNDER THE HIGH TABLE TV Series In The Works At Lionsgate, Stahelski To Direct Pilot Episode

Lee B. Golden III

While there probably won’t be a continuation of Peacock’s The Continental (although I’m open to being wrong here), the hit show’s influence now draws inspiration in Lionsgate’s John Wick franchise with the studio assuring a pilot order with new television sequel series, John Wick: Under The High Table. As Deadline’s Nellie Andreeva reports, the new show hails from Robert Levine (The Old Man), with Stahelski set to direct the pilot. Written by The Old Man co-creator Robert Levine, the story in John Wick: The High Table picks up directly after the end of John Wick: Chapter 4. John Wick has left the world of the High Table in a tenuous position and a collection of new characters will look to make a name for themselves while some of the franchise stalwart characters remain committed to the old-world order. The description of John Wick: The High Table, which promises to “combine […]

A Case For Better Action Movies: For Chad Stahelski’s HIGHLANDER, Can There Be One More?…

Lee B. Golden III

It’s been a reboot in the making since 2008 with Highlander taking the step to its long and eternal journey through development hell. With this, fans of the fantasy sword franchise fave are reveling in the news affirming Lionsgate’s commitment to the upcoming film as this week’s AFM events approach, according to Deadline‘s Andreas Wiseman. The film joins Man Of Steel and “The Witcher” series star Henry Cavill following his addition to the project in 2021, with none other than stunt multihyphenate and proven John Wick saga director Chad Stahelski, who some fans might even say has risen the bar when it comes to action direction, having led the charge with four movies totaling just under nine hours, all chronicling one former assassin’s quest for vengeance and redemption in a world – all its own – of organized crime. The four-part action saga, packed with enough breakneck fight choreography, gun-fu, […]

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JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4 Brings A Whole New Meaning To The Word Action!

Joe Hallett

This weekend audiences around the World were treated to the return of Mr Wick in the fourth continuation of the John Wick saga. The brain child from actioners Chad Stahelski and David Leitch of 87 Eleven Action design and based on the character created by Derek Kolstad, a character that we have all come to love and root for while he goes on his violent revenge rampage against the organisation only known as “The Table”. The hype surrounding this film escalated after release on character posters and one in particular sparked much interest and debate as we got to see action star Scott Adkins in a very different way compared to his typical Boyka style characters, playing “Killa Harken” who has a much larger frame than Adkins usual characters. Alongside main man Keanu reprising their roles were of course Laurence Fishburne, Ian McShane and the late Lance Riddick with new […]

Samara Weaving in Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins

BELLA: 80s-Set Paramount Action Thriller Casts Samara Weaving, ‘John Wick’ Franchise Helmer Joins To Produce

Lee B. Golden III

The Whistleblower helmer Larysa Kondracki will be in good company with Chad Stahelski who’s now riding high with the success of John Wick: Chapter 4 out of Lionsgate. As Deadline’s Anthony D’Alessandro tells it, the pair is set to now venture out together on Paramount Pictures action thriller, Bella which Stahelski will produce out of 87Eleven Entertainment, and has Ready Or Not, Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins and Scream VI actress Samara Weaving tapped to star. Set against the backdrop of a crime wave that gripped New York City in the ’80s, Bella is a hyperstylized action thriller about a cop’s daughter who, as her father clings to life following an assassination attempt, goes on a rampage to unearth her father’s attacker and weed out deep-rooted corruption in the New York City Police Department. Jesse Wigutow, tasked with penning the upcoming revival of The Crow and Joachim Rønning’s Tron: Ares, […]

JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4 Reveals Scott Adkins’ ‘Killa’ In Row Of New Character Posters

Lee B. Golden III

Chad Stahelski’s John Wick: Chapter 4 clocks in at 2 hours and 49 minutes – the longest of all entries in the franchise so far. That’s gonna be a lot of layer-building and assassin killing to come as Keanu Reeves makes his return to the fold after launching the character nearly a decade ago, and with a brand new trailer inbound this week, Lionsgate isn’t backing down from its “Wick Week” commitment as new character posters are now out which you can view below. The gallery also includes a final reveal of actor Scott Adkins in the role of “Killa” after weeks of keeping his character under wraps in which now he can be seen in what looks like a prosthetic fatsuit. This ought to be interesting. Take a look, and stay tuned for the trailer tomorrow!

JOHN WICK: Top Three Fight Scene Faves From The Franchise So Far

Lee B. Golden III

Years and years ago I used to be obsessed with what my favorite fight scenes were in movies, and I would gauge this topic on my own time based on the performers, choreography, choreographers, style, and tone of the action, and even sometimes the length of the fight scene. One metric I also factored in was whether or not the fight scene would cut itself in between cuts from other climatic scenes in that film. Nowadays, it’s hard to even draw up a top ten as I’ve seen so many fight scenes, and so whenever I see a random post on social media asking followers what their favorite fight scene is from a film, I instantly pass. All fight scenes – and I mean really good, signature action sequences in a film or a television series – put in some intense effort to tap into the memory cells of their […]

Keanu Reeves Is Front And Center In The First Teaser Poster For JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4

Lee B. Golden III

The weekend has been stirring with film buzz and Lionsgate is jumping into the pool to catch some momentum. For this, we turn to the first official teaser poster for Chad Stahelski’s John Wick: Chapter 4 which opens on March 24, 2023, and will undoubtedly serve as a worthwhile preamble to the ambitions of the upcoming prequel series, The Continental, and Len Wiseman’s Ana de Armas-led spin-off, Ballerina. John Wick (Keanu Reeves) uncovers a path to defeating the High Table. But before he can earn his freedom, Wick must face off against a new enemy with powerful alliances across the globe and forces that turn old friends into foes. Lionsgate presents, a Thunder Road Films / 87eleven production. Reeves is joined by Ian McShane and Lawrence Fishburne along with none other than Donnie Yen, Hiroyuki Sanada, Marko Zaror, Bill Skarsgård, Rina Sawayama, Lance Reddick, Clancy Brown, Shamier Anderson and Scott […]

The Game Is On In The JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4 Official Trailer!

Lee B. Golden III

John Wick (Keanu Reeves) uncovers a path to defeating the High Table. But before he can earn his freedom, Wick must face off against a new enemy with powerful alliances across the globe and forces that turn old friends into foes. Lionsgate presents, a Thunder Road Films / 87eleven production. Ah, and so it goes, the next chapter that is director Chad Stahelski’s simply-titled John Wick: Chapter 4 which will now precede the pending production and releases of spin-off Ballerina and Peacock series “The Continental”. Reeves is joined by Ian McShane and Lawrence Fishburne along with none other than Donnie Yen, Hiroyuki Sanada, Marko Zaror, Bill Skarsgård, Rina Sawayama, Lance Reddick, Clancy Brown, Shamier Anderson and Scott Adkins. Not everyone can be seen or identified right away though, so feel free to watch and rewatch right away to your heart’s content, and digest as much as you can following the […]

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The Countdown Begins!…

Lee B. Golden III

Off the heels of Collider’s exclusive this week revealing actor Keanu Reeves’ addition to upcoming John Wick saga spinoff, Ballerina with Ana De Armas, the fourth chapter remains pending with a Spring 2023 release and now, we have a countdown to help wind down the week. The ticker above expires in less than twenty four hours as of this article and I’ll be more than happy to update it once the clock runs out, but I can only guess this means an official trailer is coming following a teaser that arose back in July. Time to end the week on a high note!

BLACK SAMURAI Adaptation Lands At Netflix, Chad Stahelski To Direct

Lee B. Golden III

It’s been close to five years since we last heard about the pending feature-length adaptation of Marc Olden’s Black Samurai novels – previously in series form. News as of Thursday now has the project in new hands, with Netflix announcing its own feature-length development of the IP. John Wick franchise helmer Chad Stahelski will direct from a script by Netflix series Raising Dion co-exec producer, Leigh Dana Jackson. Based on the 1974-75 novels, Black Samurai will introduce Robert Sand, an American soldier in Japan who learns the ways of the most powerful martial arts, and becomes The Black Samurai, embarking on a mission to stop dangerous forces who threaten everything he holds dear. Stahelski will produce along with Jason Spitz, and Alex Young for 87Eleven Entertainment, as will John Schoenfelder and Russell Ackerman for Addictive Pictures. Exec producing are Diane Crafford and Liza Fleissig, and Cinemation Studio’s Andre Gaines. Jackson […]

SHIBUMI: ‘John Wick’ Director To Helm For Warner Bros.

Lee B. Golden III

Following announcements nearly a year ago this month, Chad Stahelski’s prospective 87Eleven Entertainment actioner, Shibumi, is a go at Warner Bros. according to Deadline‘s Andreas Wiseman this week. Stahelski will direct the film, in addition to producing alongside Alex Young and Jason Spitz, with a script by Matt Orton (Marvel’s Moon Knight, Operation Finale). The film is based on the 1979 novel from author “Trevanian”, and centers on an elite assassin named Nicholas Hel, and the battle lines drawn against “supermonolith of international espionage known only as the Mother Company”, per the book’s extensive description. The film remains in development alongside a number of titles to which Stahelski has been attached over the years, which undoubtedly includes more John Wick after the fourth chapter arrives next year.

For Your Fealty, A First Look At Keanu Reeves In JOHN WICK: CHAPTER FOUR

Lee B. Golden III

Lionsgate is rolling out a first official look at Keanu Reeves in the title role for the next chapter in the John Wick saga which you can view below. The film, opening March 24, 2023, sees Reeves directed once more by Chad Stahelski, this time from a script by Shay Hatten and Michael Finch and a mix of new and returning characters comprised of Laurence Fishburne, Lance Reddick, Ian McShane, Rina Sawayama, Hiroyuki Sanada, Shamier Anderson, Bill Skarsgård, Donnie Yen, Marko Zaror, Scott Adkins and Clancy Brown. Check out the photo, and stay tuned!

PROJECT NEMESIS: ‘John Wick’ Franchise Director Readies Kaiju Revenge Drama For Sony TV

Lee B. Golden III

“Project Nemesis”, the first of a 5.6-part Kaiju novel series from author Jeremy Robinson, is on track for a television debut with none other than Chad Stahelski set to direct and executive produce for Sony TV, according to Deadline‘s Denise Petski. When the DNA of Nemesis, the Greek goddess of vengeance, is merged with that of Maigo, a murdered little girl, the resulting trauma-fueled kaiju rampages from the backwoods of Maine to the streets of Boston in search of their killer. Heading up the response to this otherworldly threat is Jon Hudson, a sarcastic DHS agent whose leadership of the agency’s Paranormal division was a joke—until now. Sony TV and Neal H. Moritz’s Original Film are developing the series for telelvision with Moritz, Toby Jaffe and Pavun Shetty exec producing along with Stahelski and Jason Spitz. The show marks the latest move to television for Stahelski as he makes way for another […]

Chad Stahelski’s GHOSTS OF TSUSHIMA Attaches Writer

Lee B. Golden III

Deadline has it on good terms that Chad Stahelski’s live-action Ghosts Of Tsushima is well on track for its development over at Sony Pictures and Playstation Productions. The word now is that the project has landed screenwriter Takashi Doscher to pen the script. Doscher is additionally seeing through the ink for monster movie concept, Blue, over at AGBO and MGM, and is also credited for penning and directing romantic sci-fi romance, Only (2019), and fantasy drama, Still (2018), among other titles. Ghosts Of Tsushima was announced last March with Stahelski attached. Based on the hit video game of the same name, the story is set in 1274 and focuses on a lone Samurai who must learn and adapt to a new, untraditional way of fighting in his quest against the fearsom Mongols for the freedom of Japan. Stahelski is also producing via 87Eleven Entertainment with Alex Young and Jason Spitz, with Asad […]

Lionsgate Announces March 2023 Release For The Next JOHN WICK Chapter

Lee B. Golden III

Lionsgate has announced a March 24, 2023 release date for the fourth installment of the John Wick saga, effectively delaying the film from its initially planned May 2022 release. Chad Stahelski directed the film from a script by Michael Finch, Shay Hatten and Derek Kolstad with actor Keanu Reeves reprising the title role once more. Plot details remain unknown, while fans may remember what happens to our stoic protagonist at the end of the third film, following his ballistic re-entry into The Continental, now faced with the consequences of his vengeful and subversive actions against a hierarchal system of underworld politics and assassins he long since wanted out of. Joining Reeves is a new and returning cast mixture that insofar includes Ian McShane, Lance Reddick and Laurence Fishburne, action stars Donnie Yen, Scott Adkins, Marko Zaror and Hiroyuki Sanada, and actors Bill Skarsgard, Rina Sawayama, Shamier Anderson and Clancy Brown. […]

SHIBUMI: Chad Stahelski, 87Eleven Lining Up Assassin Novel Adaptation

Lee B. Golden III

Chad Stahelski continues to accrue even further projects to hopefully adapt for the big screen, his latest being Shibumi, with 87Eleven Productions partners Alex Young and Jason Spitz on board to produce, according to Deadline. Published in 1979, the novel by Trevanian (the pseudonym of Rodney William Whitaker) details the struggle between the “Mother Company,” a conspiracy of energy companies that secretly controls much of the Western world, and a highly skilled assassin named Nicholaï Hel. Casting details remain pending with a writer yet to be put in place, as Stahelski engages his latest action star-studded endeavor with the fourth chapter of the John Wick franchise. Stahelski has been in the film and stunt industry for close to 28 years, segueing into film directing with co-helmer and fellow stunt multi-hyphenate, 87Eleven co-founder David Leitch back in 2014 with the first John Wick film. The franchise starter has since nourished a great deal […]