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If you haven’t already experienced Cowboy Bebop yet, you might be missing out on greatness. Weaving into an impeccable blend of multiple genres under one roof, Shinichiro Watanabe, the director, crafted a show that has captured audiences of all tastes. Science fiction, western, or space, Cowboy Bebop has everything to resonate with at least some aspect of your viewing.

Spike Spiegel from Cowboy Bebop | Credits: Studio Sunrise

But what further makes Watanabe a truly visionary creator is his bold experimentation and innovative storytelling in one particular episode of the series. Episode 17, “Mushroom Samba,” has quite literally stood out as a testament to his brilliance: And you might be surprised to learn just how exactly Watanabe claimed he came up with this episode idea.

Shinichiro Watanabe’s Imagination Peaked in Episode 17 of Cowboy Bebop! A still featuring Ein the Dog | Credits: Studio Sunrise

In a rare, insightful interview with the...

Lionsgate has revealed a new poster and photo featuring Ana de Armas in Ballerina, which will have a Ccxp panel with the cast and director on Sunday, December 8 in Brazil.

The film’s stars, Ana de Armas, Ian McShane and Norman Reedus, along with director Len Wiseman will travel to São Paulo for a special conversation which will also feature never-before-seen footage from the upcoming film.

Taking place during the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, the film follows Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas), who is beginning her training in the assassin traditions of the Ruska Roma.

The panel, which closes the convention, will be livestreamed. Tune-in to the live panel this Sunday, December 8th at 2:00 p.m. Pst / 5:00 p.m. Est / 7:00 p.m. BST via Lionsgate’s YouTube channel.

Directed by Len Wiseman from a script by Shay Hatten, the film will open in theaters...

Lux In Tenebris. That is what’s written on the back of Ana de Armas as she poses for the new poster for Keanu Reeves’ upcoming John Wick spin-off, Ballerina. To say that the world is waiting would be an understatement.

Keanu Reeves in a still from John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum | Credit: Lionsgate

It has been a year and a half since the world last saw Keanu Reeves don the iconic suit of John Wick in John Wick: Chapter 4. Ever since then, news and rumors of Ballerina have made their way on the internet, but this new poster is something that fans had been waiting for quite a while now.

Ana de Armas is Our Lux In Tenebris With Ballerina

The world of these assassins and cut-throats is not only limited to The Continental. From the wintery depths of Russia to the warm deserts of the Middle-East, these...

“Ballerina” is the new live-action ‘neo-noir’ thriller, directed by Len Wiseman as a spin-off and fifth film in Chad Stahelski’s “John Wick” franchise, starring Ana de Armas, Anjelica Huston, Keanu Reeves, Gabriel Byrne, Lance Reddick, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Norman Reedus, and Ian McShane, now releasing after delays, June 6, 2025 in theaters:

“…taking place between the events of ‘John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum’ and ‘Chapter 4’…

“…degenerate ballerina-assassin ‘Rooney’ hunts the killers of her family…”

Click the images to enlarge…...

With Ballerina coming out, the expanded world of the John Wick series is well underway after Chapter 4‘s conclusion. Earlier this year, the first of the spin-offs, The Continental, wrapped up its three-episode run, but a number of questions were left unanswered, which has fans wondering whether season 2 might be in the works. The Continental director and executive producer Albert Hughes said that while he “hasn’t heard anything” about a potential season 2, he has been “daydreaming” about the next stage of the story. “I would like to see if [Winston] becomes what he hated.”

Deadline now reports that producer Basil Iwanyk confirmed in an interview that a second season would not be moving forward. Iwanyk told The Direct, “I think we were happy with season one. I think that we talked a little bit about season two. But I think the feeling is, if we’re going to have something...

The Continental, a series set in the John Wick universe, will not have a second season on Peacock.

The prequel series, which consisted of three episodes and was deemed a limited series, premiered on the streamer in September 2023. It starred Colin Woodell as a young Winston Scott who plans to take control of The Continental, the hotel featured in the John Wick franchise.

In a new interview, producer Basil Iwanyk seemingly confirmed there would not be another season.

“I think we were happy with season one,” Iwanyk told The Direct. “I think that we talked a little bit about season two. But I think the feeling is, if we’re going to have something on television in the John Wick universe, this Robert Levine version that we went out with, that we’re negotiating with somebody, is probably the better option for the John Wick content in the TV world.

Marcus Loges has been named the new head of production at storied German backlot Studio Babelsberg, the studio unveiled on Wednesday. On Jan. 1, he will take over from Henning Molfenter, who has run Babelsberg’s production operations for the past 20 years.

Loges has production credits on multiple features that shot at Babelberg, including on sci-fi epic Cloud Atlas, co-directed by the Wachowski siblings and German helmer Tom Tykwer, and on the Netflix series The Queen’s Gambit. He worked on several Wachowskis-produced projects that shot in Germany, including as a producer on the Wachowskis’ Netflix show Sense8 and as a production manager on James McTeigue’s V for Vendetta and Ninja Assassin.

More recently, Loges worked as a line producer on the hit German series Babylon Berlin, co-created by Tykwer, Henk Handloegten, and Achim von Borries.

“It is a great honor and pleasure for me to return to Babelsberg – to a...

Caine Spinoff From John Wick Franchise ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

Keanu Reeves and Chad Stahelski created the John Wick universe, a fantastic film franchise. Since the first film, John Wick has been an indispensable part of pop culture media. Four movies deep, we are immersed in the lore of this hitman and his challenges after returning to the criminal world.

While fans expect a fifth movie in the franchise, the makes have a different view on continuing the story. To continue events in the John Wick universe, the makers have a few spinoffs and new storylines in the works. So far, we have seen the three-part drama series The Continental, which focuses on a young Winston rising to power in the 1970s.

There is technically a soon-to-be-released fifth John Wick film, but it isn’t about John Wick. Ana de Armas will be seen as Eve Macarro, a ballerina-assasin in John Wick: Ballerina.

Did Keanu Reeves’ The Matrix affect John Wick? ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

Keanu Reeves revealed how lessons from the Wachowskis’ sci-fi masterpiece spilled into the creation of everyone’s favorite assassin saga. According to Reeves, The Matrix’s DNA—from its intricate world-building to its deep philosophical roots—helped shape the high-stakes, morally coded world of John Wick.

Speaking to Wired alongside John Wick director Chad Stahelski, Reeves didn’t hold back. He credited the Wachowskis with teaching him the importance of “attention to detail, world-building, and having ideas as nourishment in your entertainment.” Those elements, he noted, are central to John Wick: Chapter 4. With a twist, the movie explores themes of freedom, choice, and consequences. “John Wick’s got a cool thing because everyone is bad,” Reeves explained. “But they’re also super moral… there’s a code. You root for John Wick.”

Stahelski, who worked as a stunt...

Henry Cavill had a great run as The Witcher on Netflix before he had to depart the show to keep Superman in the Dceu (which also shut down before it could do anything meaningful with the actor’s return.)

Henry Cavill as Geralt || Credit: Netlfix

The actor would then announce that he was developing a cinematic universe based on Warhammer 40,000, which had gotten fans excited. With a slew of other films, the actor is also set to star in the Highlander remake, but there is something eerily similar about the synopsis to Cavill’s previous work

The Highlander really comes off as a Witcher clone Sherlock in Enola Holmes || Credit: Netflix

According to the synopsis that has been revealed by Chad Stahelski, the story of Highlander seems eerily similar to The Witcher, which might be something of a problem for an actor like Henry Cavill. Stahelski said (via The...

A world without Cowboy Bebop is simply too bleak, and fans of the classic anime series would agree. Shinichiro Watanabe brought together certain elements of different genres like cyberpunk and sci-fi to create an experience that blends anime with Hollywood. Whether it’s emotional resonance you’re looking for, characters who leave a lasting impression, or great music to groove to, Cowboy Bebop checks all the boxes.

Spike Spiegel in Cowboy Bebop anime | Credits: Studio Sunrise

It’s the perfect display of Watanabe’s genius as an auteur. Revisiting the charm of the series and then finding out that it wouldn’t have existed, not in the same form at least, is a jarring discovery. During his initial days in the industry, the director faced some struggles that limited his potential. These experiences led to Cowboy Bebop becoming an ensemble of so many cool elements, as Watanabe shared during an interview.

In a recent interview with Anime News Network, renowned director Shinichiro Watanabe confirmed that Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, Space Dandy, Carole & Tuesday, and his upcoming project Lazarus all take place within the same universe.

Watanabe’s confirmation came when asked whether Lazarus takes place in the same universe as his earlier works.

“I’ve always thought my shows took place in the same universe,” he stated.

When pressed further, he responded with a smile, nodding slightly: “Of course“.

Related:

Cowboy Bebop Director Shinichiro Watanabe Wants To Collaborate With Billie Eilish

In addition to discussing the shared universe, Watanabe shared insights into Lazarus, his upcoming anime project.

For the first time in his career, Watanabe collaborated with a Hollywood director, Chad Stahelski of John Wick fame, for action choreography.

“I’ve always held his John Wick films in high regard. It’s not just the realism of the action, but how modern it feels,...

With iconic series like Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, Space Dandy, and Carole & Tuesday, Shinichiro Watanabe has carved out a niche in the industry that few directors could hope to replicate. And now, with the announcement of his upcoming series Lazarus, fans are eagerly anticipating news about this futuristic sci-fi thriller. However, beyond its sleek trailer, an offhand revelation made by Watanabe left the fandom scratching their heads.

Samurai Champloo | Credit: Studio Manglove

Shinichiro Watanabe nonchalantly confirmed that Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, Space Dandy, and even his upcoming series Lazarus all take place within the same shared universe. This revelation has sparked both excitement and confusion, with fans struggling to comprehend how a jazz-fueled space Western, a Samurai road trip, and a surreal sci-fi comedy could coexist.

Shinichiro Watanabe’s Comment on Lazarus A still from Cowboy Bebop | Credit: Studio Sunrise

In a recent interview via Anime News Network, Shinichiro...

A few days ago at New York Comic Con, Adult Swim thrilled fans by premiering the full first episode of Lazarus, Shinichirō Watanabe’s new globe-trotting thriller. Shinichirō Watanabe, who is most renowned for his work in Cowboy Bebop, brought a new sense of excitement to his fans with the announcement of his upcoming project.

Cowboy Bebop is published by Kadokawa Shoten. [Credit: Sunrise]

The legacy of Cowboy Bebop looms large in Japanese anime, and its influence is still felt in Lazarus. Shinichirō Watanabe’s Cowboy Bebop is a highly lauded cult classic sci-fi series that has captivated numerous fans worldwide.

Interestingly, Watanabe teamed up with Chad Stahelski, the director of the Hollywood blockbuster John Wick, to bring fresh creative direction to the project; though the legendary anime director admitted he was terrified of being turned down.

Cowboy Bebop Director Feared Rejection from Legendary Hollywood Filmmaker

The classic anime Cowboy Bebop...

Last year, when the Cowboy Bebop creator, Shinichiro Watanabe, announced his new anime project, he brought a new sense of excitement to his fans. Watanabe is a legend in the anime industry for creating extraordinary anime series like Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, Space Dandy, Carole & Tuesday, Kids on the Slope, etc.

Cowboy Bebop by Shinichiro Watanabe | Credit: Sunrise

He is particularly known for Cowboy Bebop, which was one of the first anime series that made a global impact and earned worldwide appreciation. The series paved the way for the globalization of the anime industry, especially gaining a lot of hype in the West. And now, Watanabe’s upcoming series, Lazarus, is going to follow in the footsteps of Cowboy Bebop.

Watanabe is too excited for Lazarus as he has stepped out to promote the series as much as possible. During the promotions, the Cowboy Bebop creator made an intriguing...

Cowboy Bebop director Shinichiro Watanabe has a knack for integrating diverse musical genres into his works. His signature style involves seamlessly blending his narrative with music, which is perfectly portrayed in the series he directs.

For instance Cowboy Bebop features a jazz-infused soundtrack by Yoko Kanno and The Seatbelts, enhancing its neo-noir ambiance. On the other hand, Samurai Champloo combines Edo-period storytelling with hip-hop beats, notably collaborating with artists like Nujabes.

After that came Carole & Tuesday, which centers on aspiring musicians, showcasing a variety of musical styles and featuring contributions from international artists.

So, it is indeed an exciting development for anime fans, when Watanabe expresses a keen interest in collaborating with a pop sensation like Billie Eilish.

In a recent interview with Anime News Network, Watanabe was asked what music he was currently listening to, and what his top 5 was.

The director took this opportunity to share his admiration for Eilish,...

Director Chad Stahelski convinced Henry Cavill to sign on to his ‘Highlander' movie by pitching the historic nature of the story.The 56-year-old filmmaker is helming the reboot of the action-fantasy franchise, and has now revealed he managed to win over the actor, 41, by pitching the project as a martial arts-focused flick that centred around an intense character arc for Scottish swordsman Connor MacLeod.He told The Direct: “My selling point was, to [Henry Cavill], look, you’ve got a guy that's been alive for over 500 years. He’s the last person in the world that wanted to be in this situation. “So you get to cover quite a broad spread of a character arc there. And you get to experience someone that’s trained over 500 years and sort of played [with many types of] martial arts.”Stahelski - who notably created the ‘John Wick’ series - added his ‘Highlander’ film would be set “beyond...

The remake of Highlander is finally set to start filming in 2025 – and director Chad Stahelski has been chatting about a potential near-future setting.

Following a busy spell where he’s been reportedly been doing some very hands-on supervising on Lionsgate’s upcoming Ballerina, director Chad Stahelski is finally gearing up to make Highlander with Henry Cavill. The film is set to be some kind of remake, reimagining or reboot (delete as appropriate) that will focus on Cavill’s 500 year old immortal chopping rivals’ heads off – because when it comes to immortals, there can be only one. Apparently.

Speaking to The Direct to celebrate the original John Wick's 10th anniversary, Stahelski opened up a little about what to expect from his take on Highlander. It’s a project that has been gestating for many years now, with several filmmakers and stars failing to get their own versions off the ground.

Indian action hit Kill is getting a sequel, producer Guneet Monga revealed at Film Bazaar in Goa.

“We’re discussing and there will be a part two,” the Oscar-winning producer told Screen.

Nikhil Nagesh Bhat’s Hindi-language feature premiered at Toronto International Film Festival in 2023 where it was the first runner up for the People’s Choice Midnight Madness Award. It is produced by Monga’s Sikhya Entertainment and Dharma Productions.

“We are discussing with Dharma, and Nikhil will be the director,” said Monga, whose credits also include The Lunchbox and Peddlers. “We have lots of ideas brewing and it is deep in development.

Eva Longoria Rescued John Wick Franchise (Photo Credit – Instagram/Facebook)

Chad Stahelski, the director of the John Wick franchise, recently praised Eva Longoria for saving the original film from being pigeonholed just a day before production was set to begin.

The iconic film series, which centers on a hitman unwilling to return to work after retiring, has garnered $1bn across four movies. Still, it has yet to happen when the creators faced a deficit of $6m.

Chad Stahelski Didn’t Know Eva Longoria Saved His Film

Chad Stahelski and David Leitch disclosed that the 49-year-old ‘Desperate Housewives star “came to the rescue” and that the financing “paid back significantly for her.”

Interestingly, Stahelski confessed that he was unaware Longoria was the person who saved his film until after John Wick was released.

Trending Robert De Niro’s Thriller Series Zero Day Announces Premiere Date on Netflix!

Kristen Bell Explained S...

It's been a good few years since we first learned of plans for Man of Steel and Mission: Impossible - Fallout star Henry Cavill to star in a new Highlander movie. The property has sat on the shelf for years, and for The Witcher actor, this reboot could mark the start of a new fantasy franchise for him in theaters.

John Wick director Chad Stahelski is still attached to helm a movie that will be a modern retelling of Connor MacLeod's centuries-old feud with his fellow powerful immortals. For those of you unfamiliar with the premise, Highlander follows them in a fight to the death to absorb each other's powers. In the end, there can be "only one."

In an interview with The Direct (via SFFGazette.com), the filmmaker revealed that he hopes to begin shooting "by Spring [2025]" and shared some intriguing new plot details.

"We're bringing it forward...

Guy Ritchie’s next action thriller In the Grey won’t be coming out on Jan. 17, 2025 as previously scheduled as the movie isn’t finished. Lionsgate has taken the title off the calendar for the time being. The trailer debuted for exhibitors back at CinemaCon where the movie received its title.

Pic reteams Ritche with Henry Cavill and Jake Gyllenhaal. Eiza González, also stars. In the Grey follows two extraction specialists who must designate a route of escape for a senior female negotiator.

Ritchie wrote, directs and produces. Other producers are Ivan Atkinson and John Friedberg.

Ritchie released via Lionsgate this past spring the Cavill WWII movie, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare which made $20.5M domestic, $27M WW. Lionsgate also had the Ritchie directed Jason Statham-Aubrey Plaza action title, Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre, which made $6.5M stateside and close to $49M worldwide.

Last year, Ritchie released The Covenant, a...

There can be only one! Ok, it seemed for a while that that one – that is, Chad Stahelski’s Highlander remake – would never make it to the screen. And while we still have a ways to go, we do know that filming is set for January. Not only that, but Stahelski has dropped new details that give us an idea of what we can anticipate as far as locations, action and how he’ll “bend” the story.

Speaking with The Direct, Chad Stahelski said that his Highlander will completely shift the timeline we might expect, saying, “We’re bringing it forward from the early 1500s in the highlands to the beyond present-day New York and Hong Kong, and seeing how it goes. There’s big opportunity for action. There’s a chance to play a character that not a lot of people get to play. And it’s a bit of a love story,...

Excitement builds as details emerge about the ‘Highlander‘ reboot starring Henry Cavill. Directed by Chad Stahelski of ‘John Wick‘ fame, the film promises a fresh take on the classic story of Connor MacLeod, a Scottish Highlander who has lived since the 16th century.

Immortal until beheaded, MacLeod is one of several such beings who have fought epic battles across time.

Set to begin principal photography by Spring 2025, the film will transport audiences from the early 1500s in Scotland to a futuristic New York and Hong Kong.

Stahelski hinted at a unique narrative twist, describing the film as having “a bit of a love story, but not how you think.”

His approach to storytelling was shaped by his experience with ‘John Wick,’ aiming to blend action with a complex character journey.

Cavill, known for his roles in the Dceu as Superman and more recently in action-packed films like ‘Argylle’ and ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare,...

John Wick franchise director Chad Stahelski offered his perspective on the financial lifeline given the original film by Eva Longoria.

Longoria recently acknowledged the $6 million investment for the first time, telling Business Insider she still gets checks for the 2014 film but regrets not investing in the entire series, which has grossed $1 billion.

Appearing on The Hollywood Reporter‘s It Happened in Hollywood podcast, Stahelski says he didn’t know his angel investor was the star of Desperate Housewives until after John Wick was completed and released.

“Funny enough, [co-director] Dave [Leitch] and I didn’t know anything about the situation till the movie had already come out,” Stahelski explains.

“About a week before we went to production, we had gap financing. We had an investor fall out for about $6 million. So when you’re [making an] $18 million movie, that kills you. And we didn’t have any money. So a lot of the crew left.

The new live-action remake of the 1986 fantasy feature “Highlander”, to be directed by Chad Stahelski (“John Wick”), will star Henry Cavill (“The Witcher”), starting in 2025 in Scotland:

“…created by screenwriter Gregory Widen, the series began with ‘Highlander’, a 1986 fantasy feature starring actor Christopher Lambert as ‘Connor MacLeod’, the Highlander.

“There have been four theatrical ‘Highlander’ films, one made-for-tv film, two live-action television series, an animated television series, an anime film, a flash animation series, original novels, Dynamite Entertainment comic books and various licensed merchandise.

“‘Connor MacLeod’, was born in Glenfinnan in the ‘Scottish Highlands’ in the 16th century, MacLeod is one of a number of ‘immortals’ empowered by an energy called the ‘Quickening’.

“Other immortal protagonists from the MacLeod and other clans were introduced over time…

“…including ‘Juan Sánchez-Villalobos Ramírez’ (Sean Connery),, an Egyptian immortal, ‘Duncan MacLeod’, ‘Quentin MacLeod’, ‘Colin MacLeod’ and ‘Julie MacLeod’, each of whom exists in their own timelines…...

Here’s Which Actor Almost Bagged John Wick Role Before Keanu Reeves (Photo Credit – Instagram)

In 2014, David Leitch and Chad Stahelski delivered the now-legendary action thriller, John Wick, starring Keanu Reeves. The movie kicked off with a mafia punk killing John Wick’s dog, dragging him out of retirement and straight into revenge mode. While the movie blew away studio expectations, scoring big with critics and a box office splash, it was revealed that another big-name action star was almost cast before Keanu Reeves snagged the iconic role.

Bruce Willis Almost Cast As John Wick

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Leitch revealed that when he boarded the project, Die Hard star Bruce Willis was potentially chosen to play John Wick. He said, “We were first exposed to the script by our manager at the time, Kelly McCormick, who’s now my wife and producer. She had introduced us...

The beloved Hollywood star Henry Cavill is set to lead the upcoming reboot of the 1986 classic fantasy action film Highlander, set to be directed by Chad Stahelski. While many fans eagerly await this fresh take on the franchise kicked off by Russell Mulcahy’s 1986 classic, some have also been skeptical. Concerns largely stem from Hollywood’s increasing trend of reboots, which some fear might tarnish the legacy of original works.

Highlander | Credit: 20th Century Fox

And in this case, the concerns have extended to the reboot star’s track record for the past few films. However, there’s a strong argument in his favor. Cavill has delivered standout performances in epic roles, most notably in Netflix’s The Witcher and the 2011 fantasy-action hit Immortals.

Why Henry Cavill is Perfect to Lead Chad Stahelski’s Highlander Reboot?

Starring Christopher Lambert in the lead role of Connor MacLeod, the 1986 film Highlander wasn...

Sony is all set to use the same tricks to reignite Ghost of Tsushima’s relevance in the market that Todd Howard masterfully used for Fallout. Howard managed to generate a massive spike in plyer count after the release of Fallout’s TV series on Amazon.

A movie based on this game will have to extremely beautiful in order to do justice to it. Image Credit: Sucker Punch

Sony is all set to do the same for Ghost of Tsushima following the successful run of the game. A spiritual sequel to the game has already been announced, which is all set to debut on PlayStation 5 next year.

Sony Will Do Everything To Juice Out Ghost of Tsushima’s Potential Sony still wants to juice out all it can from Ghost of Tsushima. Image Credit: Sucker Punch

Ghost of Tsushima is an extremely cinematic game that is inspired by movies from master director Akira Kurosawa.

Acclaimed director of TV and music videos Hiro Murai is set to make his feature debut with ‘high-stakes’ action film Bushido, from A24.

When it comes to the land of filmed drama, the samurai is in vogue. FX’s Shōgun series has been picking up lots of acclaim and this year became the first Japanese-language effort to win the Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series.

Meanwhile, action director extraordinaire Chad Stahelski is also lining up an action-packed samurai adaptation, Ghost Of Tsushima, based on the popular blockbuster PlayStation video game.

We heard around a year ago that arthouse label A24 was looking to shift direction and pick up projects that might be considered more mainstream, with the action genre mentioned at the time the report emerged.

Perhaps Bushido was one of those films, as it has now been revealed that it’s the latest slice of samurai action coming our way.

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Has it really been 10 years since "John Wick" debuted in theaters? Time flies when you're having fun righteously knocking off a ludicrous number of bad guys for killing your puppy. Aside from the sheer entertainment value of the franchise, we can also thank the team of screenwriter Derek Kolstad and the director tandem of Chad Stahelski and David Leitch for upping the Hollywood game when it comes to stunt-heavy action set pieces. These gentlemen are consummate craftsmen who know action movies work best when they're staged and shot as practically as possible, so they gleefully (yet carefully) put their stunt crew through their paces for our enhanced enjoyment.

Yes, the "John Wick" franchise is gun fetishism at its most knuckleheaded, but the bone-crunching, bullet-whizzing kineticism trumps my moral objections every time. I don't know what that says about me personally,...

Photo Credit David Lee Copyright John Wick Ppny, Inc A decade ago, when John Wick premiered, it breathed new life into the action film genre. Keanu Reeves embodied a character that resonated deeply with audiences, leading to a series of successful sequels and the establishment of an exciting franchise. The pivotal success of the original film set the stage for this phenomenon. Reeves fondly recalls the early collaborations with director Chad Stahelski and producer David Leitch, who was integral in directing the action scenes. Their combined passion and dedication were key to bringing John Wick to audiences worldwide. (Click on the media bar below to hear Keanu Reeves) https://www.hollywoodoutbreak.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Keanu_Reeves_JOhn-Wick.mp3 John Wick is available on DVD, Blu-ray, 4K and on digital platforms.

The post A New Era of Action: Keanu Reeves & The Rise of ‘John Wick’ appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.

John Wick co-director David Leitch was ready to politely decline Keanu Reeves’ initial offer involving a script called Scorn.

In 2013, alongside Chad Stahelski, the second-unit directing duo and then-longtime business partners felt they were ready to take the next step in their directorial careers. They’d climbed the stunt ranks for two decades as performers, choreographers and coordinators, establishing a varied résumé that includes The Matrix trilogy, which introduced them both to Reeves at different points. Eventually, they became second-unit directors, fulfilling the action sequences for actioners and blockbuster films, all while utilizing the infrastructure they’d built through their action design company, 87eleven.

Founded in 1997, their company’s Los Angeles headquarters is where they would choreograph action sequences and train actors like Reeves to become believable action stars. (In 2019, Leitch and life/producing partner Kelly McCormick branched off with 87North, while Stahelski turned 87eleven into 87Eleven Entertainment.)

Furthermore, Derek Kolstad...

Ten years ago, the original "John Wick" gave a shot in the arm (not to mention several shots in other vulnerable places) to the mainstream action genre, taking the gritty, for-love-of-the-stunts spirit of Dtv and VOD offerings and mashing that up with the star power of Keanu Reeves and the legacy of the 87eleven stunt team. Filmmakers Chad Stahelski and David Leitch brought their decades of experience as stuntmen and stunt coordinators to the movie, lending it a vibrant authenticity, while screenwriter Derek Kolstad's script took a grounded, very human character and plunged him into a world that increasingly gets stranger and more dangerous. "John Wick" is, in other words, a milestone movie, a game changer that set its own standard, and the three sequels that followed managed to keep that special quality of the first film alive and well.

Even though Mr. Wick, played by Reeves, seemingly met...

Exclusive: After signing on to a handful of promising indies, 1883 breakout Isabel May has come aboard to star opposite Past Lives‘ Teo Yoo in Karoshi, the mysterious action thriller that Takashi Doscher wrote and will direct for Lionsgate.

May’s role is being kept under wraps, as is the plot of the film, which is described as a corporate thriller with a samurai twist. 87Eleven Entertainment’s Chad Stahelski, Alex Young, and Jason Spitz will produce as one of the first projects through their first-look production deal with Lionsgate.

Best known for her breakout role of Elsa Dutton in Taylor Sheridan’s Western drama 1883, which she reprised as narrator of 1923 — another of Sheridan’s prequels to hit Paramount+ series Yellowstone — May is coming off of a role in Apple TV+’s starry miniseries Masters of the Air.

Upcoming projects for May include the horror film Menace, which she also...

'John Wick' producer Erica Lee has admitted "the stars have to align" if a fifth film is ever to be made.The action series seemingly reached its conclusion after Keanu Reeves’ prolific assassin was laid to rest in last year’s ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ and the movie producer has now teased that another instalment is possible, but only if she and the team feel the supposed fifth movie is "a great idea".Speaking with Screen Rant, Lee said: "First and foremost, I’d love ‘John Wick 5’ and figuring out what that movie looks like and what the story is and how we take the franchise to the next level. "I think we set this bar so high in [John Wick: Chapter 4’] and we left it all on the table. I say we burn the house down when we make the movie. "So I think to pull it all together,...

Eva Longoria made a great business decision.

The 49-year-old Desperate Housewives actress made a $6 million investment in 2014’s John Wick, she recently confirmed to Business Insider.

As it turns out, Eva quietly closed the movie’s $6 million financing gap less than 24 hours before production would’ve shut down, essentially saving the film.

Keep reading to find out more…

“That is accurate. By the way, I was in my infancy,” she said while talking about her investment.

“My bankroll was very new, and it was a lot of money, and I was like, ‘So how does it work?’ I had no idea. I would love to say I was an investment genius and I just knew and I calculated my risk. No, none of that. An agent, and he wasn’t even my agent, he called me and said, ‘You got money, you should put your money here,’” she continued.

“And...

Ten years ago, John Wick went from a low-expectation B-movie starring Keanu Reeves to the start of one of the biggest cinematic franchises ever. Opening with a film about the deadliest assassin in the world, John Wick (Keanu Reeves), the first film showed the retired killer coming back for vengeance after his dog, the last gift from his dead wife, is murdered. It was a simple concept that set up a film with a balletic use of firearms and close combat in stunt-heavy sequences that had never been done this way. That first film, which had a challenging path to the big screen, became a major box office hit that generated three sequels, a prequel television series, and an upcoming spin-off film. With each feature film breaking records, fans and critics have wondered whether Chapter 4 is truly the last time we will see Keanu Reeves don the suit and holster.

Eva Longoria has developed quite a business savvy over the years, but she still has some regrets.

After making “more than double” her $6 million investment on John Wick after it debuted in 2014, the Golden Globe nominee admitted she wishes she would have continued on with the wildly successful franchise that recently marked its 10th anniversary.

“What I’m pissed off about is I wasn’t connected to the rest of them,” Longoria told Business Insider. “This was a one-time thing. That was the gamble. But that was my only mistake, not being attached to all of the films.”

John Wick (2014) grossed more than $86 million worldwide, with the franchise crossing the $1 billion mark last year with John Wick: Chapter 4.

Longoria’s interview comes after producers Chad Stahelski and David Leitch told the outlet about her crucial role in bring the film to the screen after funding fell through on the Keanu Reeves...

For a while now, internet darling Henry Cavill has been teasing a revival of Highlander, the movie (and TV) series where immortals battle each other around the world until one is left standing. "There can be only one," as the saying goes. Cavill will play the lead role Connor MacLeod, played by Christopher Lambert in the original Highlander movie from 1986. The new film will be directed by Chad Stahelski, who directed all of the John Wick movies. That could make for a very fun action flick. “If you think you’ve seen me do sword work before, you haven’t seen anything yet,” Cavill teased toThe Hollywood Reporter a while back.

Originally, Cavill was hopeful that shooting for Highlander would get under way this year, but that eventually got pushed back to early 2025. Now things are getting pushed again, with Redanian Intelligence reporting that filming is getting bumped from January...

Eva Longoria is still getting checks over 10 years later from her $6 million investment in 2014’s “John Wick,” she recently confirmed to Business Insider. It was revealed earlier this month that Longoria quietly stepped in to close the movie’s $6 million financing gap less than 24 hours before production would’ve shut down entirely. Essentially, there’d be no “John Wick” franchise without Longoria’s contribution that saved the original film.

“That is accurate. By the way, I was in my infancy,” Longoria said while talking about her “John Wick” investment for the first time. “My bankroll was very new, and it was a lot of money, and I was like, ‘So how does it work?’ I had no idea. I would love to say I was an investment genius and I just knew and I calculated my risk. No, none of that.

“An agent, and he wasn’t even my agent,...

It’s fitting that the first look at Jonathan Eusebio’s Love Hurts came in the same week as John Wick’s 10th anniversary. Eusebio, who’s affectionately known as “JoJo,” met Wick co-directors David Leitch and Chad Stahelski at a martial arts school in the early ‘90s, and the two stunt performers turned filmmakers have taken Eusebio under their wings ever since. It was quite a career pivot for someone who majored in biological sciences at Uc Irvine, but it wasn’t completely unforeseen considering Eusebio’s two first loves were martial arts and Hong Kong action cinema.

Eusebio then climbed the ranks, working on the stunt teams for features like Blade II (2002) and Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002). He then gained more and more responsibility through roles such as the assistant fight coordinator on The Bourne Ultimatum (2007) to the actual fight coordinator on Iron Man 2 (2010) and The Avengers (2012).

Then,...

The new live-action remake of the 1986 fantasy feature “Highlander”, to be directed by Chad Stahelski (“John Wick”), will star Henry Cavill (“The Witcher”), starting in 2025 in Scotland:

“…created by screenwriter Gregory Widen, the series began with ‘Highlander’, a 1986 fantasy feature starring actor Christopher Lambert as ‘Connor MacLeod’, the Highlander.

“There have been four theatrical ‘Highlander’ films, one made-for-tv film, two live-action television series, an animated television series, an anime film, a flash animation series, original novels, Dynamite Entertainment comic books and various licensed merchandise.

“‘Connor MacLeod’, was born in Glenfinnan in the ‘Scottish Highlands’ in the 16th century, MacLeod is one of a number of ‘immortals’ empowered by an energy called the ‘Quickening’.

“Other immortal protagonists from the MacLeod and other clans were introduced over time…

“…including ‘Juan Sánchez-Villalobos Ramírez’ (Sean Connery),, an Egyptian immortal, ‘Duncan MacLeod’, ‘Quentin MacLeod’, ‘Colin MacLeod’ and ‘Julie MacLeod’, each of whom exists in their own timelines…...

Filmmakers for the hit John Wick franchise faced criticism over their decision to include the pivotal death of the main character’s puppy early in the first movie. This plot point sparked the retired assassin John Wick’s quest for revenge against those who wronged him. Directors David Leitch and Chad Stahelski recently opened up about the objections they encountered and Keanu Reeves’ support for their vision.

Many in the film industry warned Leitch and Stahelski that killing the puppy would upset viewers. They were told it was “bad luck” and “bad juju.” Critics compared it to the beloved classic book Where the Red Fern Grows. However, Leitch noted the hypocrisy, saying “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?”

The controversial scene shows thugs taking both Wick’s prized car and...

After four films, one spin-off series and more to come, it’s hard to imagine John Wick happily driving off into the sunset with his puppy.

Marking the hit action film’s 10th anniversary, producers David Leitch and Chad Stahelski revealed that star Keanu Reeves helped them fight to kill off the titular character’s furry friend in the first installment, sparking his franchise-long fight for revenge.

“We were told, ‘It’s bad luck.’ ‘It’s bad juju,'” Leitch explained to Business Insider. “‘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...

Here's a grim little action movie counterfactual: Would we have the current John Wick franchise if the first movie didn't have the bit where Theon Greyjoy and his goons murder John Wick's dog? It's a shocking moment from the 2014 action flick, and one that's left a bad taste in...

Keanu Reeves’ John Wick saga is as perfect as could be, turning out to be a tremendously successful hit as opposed to the then-first-time directors Chad Stahelski and David Leitch’s initial dreading expectations. It all started with former hitman Wick’s wife’s death turning all the more grievous for him as her final gift to him, a puppy, gets killed by the son of a Russian mob kingpin.

Keanu Reeves. | Credits: John Wick/Peacock.

Surprisingly enough, as much as the audiences ended up loving the movie, the same could not be said about the people behind the screens during the making of the film. In fact, Stahelski and Leitch were even pitched an alternate story where the puppy is later shown to be alive. But Reeves stood up for them and the first film killed the puppy to earn the ravaging scores it so deserved.

Everyone Was Against...

It’s hard to overstate the impact of the first John Wick, which not only rekindled Keanu Reeves’ career at the time, and cemented him as one of the most prolific action stars of our time, it also revitalized the action landscape. Considering how influential the Bourne flicks were, many action films post its release, tried to incorporate its shaky cam formula.

John Wick | Credit: Lionsgate

While some worked better than others, the trope was done to death by the late 2000s, with Taken 3 serving as its worst offender. But John Wick served as the outlier, which popularized two new components in the genre, usage of long steady takes and gun-fu. But interestingly, not many were in favor of the latter during the film’s production.

Chad Stahelski and David Leitch Held on to Their Guns for John Wick John Wicks – Behind the Scenes | Credit: Lionsgate

Given how fascinated...

In Hollywood, success stories are often a mix of creativity, determination, and a bit of luck, but some of the most iconic films also come down to clever persuasion. One such story lies behind John Wick, a movie that catapulted Keanu Reeves back into the limelight and reshaped modern action cinema.

Keanu Reeves in John Wick: Chapter 4 | 87Eleven Entertainment

With the 10th anniversary of John Wick, details have surfaced revealing how Reeves used a cunning trick to convince Chad Stahelski, his longtime friend and former stunt double, to step into the director’s chair. Little did they know that this decision would lead to an entire franchise and a new sub-genre of action choreography.

Keanu Reeves Uses Clever Manipulation: Gets Stahelski to Direct John Wick Keanu Reeves in John Wick: Chapter 4 | 87Eleven Entertainment

Keanu Reeves’ approach to securing Chad Stahelski as the director for John Wick was both subtle and strategic.

Keanu Reeves’ John Wick series has been a staple of the action genre for quite some time, so it might seem a little odd to imagine a work where the film was almost buried. The film, which was Reeves’ most brilliant outing after his work in The Matrix, was almost never made due to monetary issues. However, there was an actress who would not see the franchise go into the night, and that was Eva Longoria.

John Wick || Credit: Lionsgate

Eva Longoria revealed in a recent interview that her investment in the film is what got it off the ground, which ended up being a crucial amount of money for the project. Without the money that Longoria put in, there was a potent possibility that the film would never make it off the ground.

Eva Longoria was happy to invest in the John Wick film Eva Longoria | Credit: Conan / YouTube...