chad stahelski

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JOHN WICK 2 Fills Out Its Cast Of Old And New Faces

Lee B. Golden III

Deadline reports that director Chad Stahelski‘s John Wick 2 has officially added new actors to the roster. Paul W.S. Anderson’s Resident Evil: The Final Chapter isn’t due for another year and change, but you can now add actress Ruby Rose to the list of titles in your wishlist with her attachment to the forthcoming Keanu Reeves sequel, along with Burnt co-star Riccardo Scamarcio, and much faved character actor Peter Stormare. The three join newly added Common and returning cast members Ian McShane, Bridget Moynahan, Lance Reddick, Tom Sadowski and John Leguizamo with Reeves back on board following the blockbuster first installation in 2014. Sadowski, formerly of The Newsroom, reprises the role of Jimmy, the officer who, in the first film, arrives shortly after the home invasion sequence that ultimately leaves a pile of bodies on Wick’s floor. Leguizamo returns to the supporting role of Aurelio, the chop shop owner who dared to slug the son […]

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JOHN WICK 2 Starts Filming In New York City

Lee B. Golden III

Big budget movies tend to garner big attention with big loads of fervor. Such a result may have been unforseen with the small-scale action thriller debut, John Wick, last year, but came nonetheless topped with a renewed appreciation for an original action storytelling. Keanu Reeves led the film and no doubt brings even more light to the cause with a visceral take on an unrelenting assassin who bids a revisit to his former employer and his son to avenge his wife’s legacy. It was a trail of blood, bullets, fisticuffs and sheer spectacle almost perfectly formulating just the kind of action movies many fans pine for, and no less, it was through the good fortune of a low budget and enough box-office support that plans for the sequel lended further promise. Alas, John Wick 2 is finally underway with locations currently set for Italy and in New York City where […]

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Common Joins JOHN WICK 2!

Lee B. Golden III

Image via Warner Bros. John Wick 2 kicks off filming this week with actor Keanu Reeves back in the fray as the title character and director Chad Stahelski at the helm. Things have been sizzling for the last few months with the film’s start in New York City in recent months, and now we’re off to an even greater start with some casting news. The plot is currently nil but The Wrap now reports that Run All Night co-star Common will star as the muscle for a female principle villainess who wants our protagonist dead; the actress cast for said villainess currently remains unknown. The first film, directed by Stahelski and David Leitch, both veteran stunt coordinators hailing from 87 Eleven Action Design, was a festival and theatrical favorite in late 2014, focusing on Reeves as a former hitman who avenges his late wife’s legacy by taking on the Russian […]

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Chad Stahelski Will Direct JOHN WICK 2 In NYC This Fall

Lee B. Golden III

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 […]

Focus’s THE COLDEST CITY Casts Charlize Theron; ‘John Wick’ Helmers To Direct

Lee B. Golden III

Actress Charlize Theron‘s latest big screen role can be found in director George Miller’s Mad Max: Fury Road this coming Friday. The film just had its premiere in Los Angeles and is certainly poised to be the start of a possibly epic and successful franchise whilst certainly lending some momentum to the award-winning co-star for her attachment as well. Of course, time will tell what the future holds in that regard, but the momentum is high for her this week, and with events beginning at Cannes soon, word from Deadline brings good news for the actress comes by way of Focus Features and their latest North American acquisition for the author Antony Johnston’s 2012 Oni Press graphic novel publication, The Coldest City. Focus reportedly locked an eight-figure deal to produce the $30 million dollar adaptation from a script by Kurt Johnstad which centers its story of espionage and double crossing […]

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Keanu Reeves Is Officially Returning To Shoot More People In The Face In JOHN WICK 2!

Lee B. Golden III

If you’re a fan of action and managed to go to the movies at any point between last Fall and now, chances are you’ve seen a little $20 million dollar independent film called John Wick, and you dug lead actor Keanu Reeves with fervor in some capacity. Come to think of it, it really is official as a character now owns on the screen thanks in large part to his action-training cohorts at 87 Eleven Action Design, debut directing duo Chad Stahelski and David Leitch with fight coordinator Jonathan Eusebio designing all sorts of unrelenting brutality in Wick‘s wake. So, now what? Well, a sequel was officially announced to be in development back in February by Lionsgate after Stahleski spoke on it earlier, and now the word from Forbes contributor Scott Mendelson dictated that Reeves is officially returning as well. There are no script or story details as of yet, […]

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Valiant, Sony Rev Up HARBINGER WARS With Stahelski, Leitch To Direct And More!

Lee B. Golden III

Independent comic book platform Valiant Comics struck big with a nine-figure deal a month and a half ago when it partnered with Chinese investment firm, DMG Entertainment to help pitch its numerous comic book properties with a lean toward film production. What’s as important as this, though, is how the source material gets tackled, which means who will be the team behind the forthcoming productions of such titles as Bloodshot and Harbinger. Well, for starters, at least two people so far, Chad Stahelski and David Leitch, who have made their way in the ranks as stunt professionals and second unit directors through their directorial debut, John Wick, late last year are now up to helm the former with producers Fast And Furious franchise Neal Moritz and Toby Jaffe producing, while the latter seeks a director. These morsel are included in a flurry of other exciting new details announcing Valiant’s official […]

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After Stathelski, Lionsgate Makes JOHN WICK 2 Official

Lee B. Golden III

Not too long after stunt coordinators Chad Stathelski and David Leitch made clear their active development on a sequel to their 2014 directorial debut John Wick, Variety is reporting that Lionsgate has done the same, officially announcing the second installment. However, it was CEO Jon Feltheimer who, during a conference call with analysts to discuss the studio’s year-end 3rd quarter earnings, suggesting a possible “multiple-title franchise”. In lieu of this, its likely that lead actor Keanu Reeves will return to reprise his role after turning in such a stellar performance on top of building a longstanding and cohesive partnership with Stahelski and Leitch over at the stunt training facility, 87Eleven. Of course, this also brings into question of who our main protagonist will go toe-to-toe with this time around, and that will depend on the story our directing duo conjures. Rest assured, let’s hope the next bad guy he meets […]

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Chad Stahelski Talks JOHN WICK 2

Lee B. Golden III

The careers of Hollywood second unit directors and stunt coordinators, Chad Stathelski and David Leitch, seem to be getting increasingly better since the theatrical release of their partnering directorial debut, John Wick, last year. The film became a box-office hit a little over four months ago and it has since led to other prospects, including re-teaming with the film’s lead actor, Keanu Reeves, for the live-action assassin series, Rain, in addition to their recently announcement attachment to direct lead actor Chris Pratt in the graphic novel adaptation, Cowboy Ninja Viking. However, John Wick is not without its merits for a sequel considering its caliber as an original property with a riveting story of one man’s vengeful return to his old life following the death of his inherited dog and theft of his car. If you saw the film, you’ll likely understand a bit more about the prospects for a follow-up […]

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JOHN WICK Duo, Stahelski And Leitch To Direct COWBOY NINJA VIKING For Universal

Lee B. Golden III

2014 was an immensely great year for actor Chris Pratt, and things are about to get even better. The actor is currently on par as a person of interest to reprise the role of Indiana Jones for a new feature film on top of returning to portray his winning role in director James Gunn’s forthcoming Marvel sequel, Guardians Of The Galaxy 2 and possibly getting a starring role in The Magnificent Seven remake alongside The Equalizer duo, helmer Anton Fuqua and actor Denzel Washington. In addition, Pratt’s latest attachment came as of November last year for the lead role in the upcoming graphic novel adaptation, Cowboy Ninja Viking. Based on a 2009 publication from Image Comics via Shadowline, the film now aims to brings Pratt center stage in the role of Duncan, the product of a government program that transforms people with multiple personality disorders into highly trained agents known as […]

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A Case For Better Action Movies: JOHN WICK (2014)

Lee B. Golden III

SYNOPSIS: An ex-hitman comes out of retirement to track down the gangsters that took everything from him. With New York City as his bullet-riddled playground, “John Wick” (Keanu Reeves) is a fresh and stylized take on the “assassin genre.” REVIEW: I particularly share the opinion that the folks over at stunt training facility 87 Eleven Action Design are dog lovers. And I’m drawn to this possibility in noticing a bit of a pattern having caught one of their most recent shortfilms, Fetch, directed by action veteran and and stuntman Daniel Bernhardt, which plays off quite nicely as one way of telling a story that can generally relate to people. I mean, you have to be pretty soulless to not at least hold a special place inside for canines; I’m a dog lover myself, biased and shameless so… sorry not sorry. Alas, we are brought into the world of former hitman […]

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Catch New B-Roll Footage From The Set Of JOHN WICK!

Lee B. Golden III

Lionsgate is officially releasing their latest action blowout, John Wick, in 2D and IMAX theaters in two weeks, and several exclusive screenings are already pending or underway for lucky moviegoers in North America and Canada. The film has already gotten off to an amazing start with rave reviews spanning many film sites following its intial premiere at Fantastic Fest last month. Needless to say, it appears that actor Keanu Reeves and debut directing duo Chad Stahelski and David Leitch are having a pretty good season, as they are already continuing their collaborative efforts for Reeves‘ upcoming foray into TV. In the meantime, Apple consumers may still have time to catch the actor in New York City at Apple Store SoHo on Monday. Until then, you can now catch Reeves and co. in a brand new audioless B-Roll featurette, bringing you behind the scenes of all the action that awaits. Or, […]

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JOHN WICK Gets An Official IMAX Release Announcement

Lee B. Golden III

Keanu Reeves is going to tear the underworld a new asshole in multiple shoe sizes next month when Summit/Lionsgate releases its newest crowdpleaser, John Wick to the masses, in 2D and IMAX. The film is already the recipient of tons of film festival accolades and fanfare with press galore, and early screenings still taking place. I wonder if more will happen for this film. Sequels anyone? For now, I say Aye! SANTA MONICA, Calif., Oct. 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — IMAX Corporation (NYSE: IMAX; TSX: IMX) and Lionsgate’s (NYSE: LGF) Summit Entertainment label today announced the stylized assassin film John Wick, starring Keanu Reeves, will be digitally re-mastered into the immersive IMAX® format and released in domestic IMAX® theatres starting Oct. 24. Directed by Chad Stahelski and David Leitch, both of whom worked with Reeves as stunt technicians on all three of The Matrix films, John Wick tells the story of a […]

A Third Poster And New Trailer Have Arrived For JOHN WICK!

Lee B. Golden III

Upon launching a new Reddit AMA on Tuesday, directors Chad Stahelski and David Leitch shared a new poster for the upcoming release of their debut action thriller, John Wick. The film is already picking up a ton of steam among the fans with stellar reviews online following its premiere at Fantastic Fest, and its trailer launch a few weeks ago. The film also has a few posters under its belt, and now we have a third piece of artwork with leading man of action Keanu Reeves getting making his…*ahem*… “point”, clear. Take a look: SYNOPSIS: An ex-hitman comes out of retirement to track down the gangsters that took everything from him. With New York City as his bullet-riddled playground, JOHN WICK (Keanu Reeves) is a fresh and stylized take on the “assassin genre”. John Wick releases in theaters on October 24 from Lionsgate. Reeves is joined by Willem Dafoe, Adrianne […]

JOHN WICK Directors Line Fans Up For A Reddit AMA Next Tuesday

Lee B. Golden III

This month, the momentum couldn’t be any better for directors Chad Stahelski and David Leitch following the Fantastic Fest premiere of the new hitman revenge thriller, John Wick, starring Keanu Reeves. A trailers is already out and about online with reviews that are nothing short of upworthy, and if you’re eager to learn more about the film, you’re in luck! Stahelski and Leitch will be holding a Reddit AMA on September 30 whereupon they will also release a second trailer for the film which hits theaters on October 24, 2014, courtesy of Lionsgate. Subscribe to the official John Wick Facebook page and stay tuned to all things John Wick in the weeks leading up to the film’s release. In the meantime, a new TV spot has gone viral this week, and you can check it out below.

A Killer Legend Returns In The New Trailer For JOHN WICK

Lee B. Golden III

There’s something to be said about stuntmen who become directors. Some results fare better than others, and there’s an up-tick in the trend nowadays, particularly in Hollywood where veteran stuntmen David Leitch and Chad Stahelski are daring to put their first foot forward with their newest debut, John Wick. From a script by Derek Kolstad, Keanu Reeves stars as the film’s title lead in a revenge-driven epic that sees him going back to the world he once left in order to seek his own brand of justice. The film is also one of Reeves latest maneuvers in the action genre, and one well-suited enough for him since Leitch and Stahelski are the ones who run things at Hollywood’s top stunt gym, 87 Eleven, the same company that collaborated with Yuen Woo-Ping and his team for The Matrix Trilogy (2000-2003) and Man Of Tai Chi (2013) to name a few. SYNOPSIS: […]

Keanu Reeves Teams With ‘John Wick’ Helmers For Action TV Series, RAIN

Lee B. Golden III

If you CLICK HERE, you will see a trailer for the 2009 hitman thriller, Rain Fall. It starred The Dark Knight Trilogy actor Gary Oldman with Shinobi: Heart Under Blade actor Kippei Shiina in the English-language action pic which Lionsgate picked up for release a few years after it was released in Japan in 2009, and now, the title is back in a new iteration set for television with leading action man, actor Keanu Reeves. Reeves, along with stunt auteurs and filmmakers David Leitch and Chad Stahelski, and author Barry Eisler have partnered up with LA-based Slingshot Global Media for the forthcoming production of the new action series, Rain. The show will be based on Eisler’s eponymous twelve-year running action espionage novel series character, John Rain, a military-trained half-Japanese/Caucasian hitman whose employ is based on three rules: No women or children, no assistance or outside help, and only principle targets are […]

Veteran Action Directors To Helm Reeves’ Next, JOHN WICK

Lee B. Golden III

Actor and first time director Keanu Reeves has a few new films coming out this year, which include the upcoming Japanese samurai epic, 47 Ronin, and his cinematic martial arts directorial debut, Man Of Tai Chi. With these in mind, action continues to be consistent theme in Reeves’ career as he is now slated to star in an upcoming hitman thriller from producer Basil Iwanyk of Thunder Road titled, John Wick, based on a screenplay by Derek Kolstad. According to details reported at Screendaily, the film will headline a story about a former hitman who is driven back to his killer instincts when a thug steals his 1969 Ford Mustang, killing his dog in the process.The action heats up when he tracks the thug to New York City, only to become the target of a his father, a major crime boss. The film is setting up to look like a […]