After scoring two hits with John Wick and John Wick: Chapter 2, Keanu Reeves returns in John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum. In this film, directed by Chad Stahelski who also helmed the first two films, Reeves reprises his role of ex-hitman John Wick who finds himself on the run, pursued by a legion of assassins, after a $14 million contract is put on his head. A chat with Reeves on being John Wick.
We love the world of John Wick. It’s so much fun and so rich. The stunts and action sequences pick up the pace with each movie. Did your training regimen have to change?
Yeah, it was more. I had the benefit of the training for John Wick and John Wick: Chapter 2. And so I got a little bit better, just a little higher hand. You’re doing all the work for all the judo, all of the weapons training and this one had some knives and some swords and some horse riding. So, there were new things to do and learn which the gift of John Wick is.
What does Keanu Reeves love about the character John Wick?
For me, to put the suit on was a great pleasure. I absolutely love the character. I love his will… I love his grief. For me, it’s a kind of rich, deep, soulful character. And I love his will to try and survive. I love the way he is capable and I like his sense of humour. I think he is a good man in that world.
Which is your favourite action scene in the film?
It’s hard to pick a favourite action scene in John Wick 3. There’s the real world, but there’s also some CG (computer graphics) involved and we tried to make the computer-generated environment look real. I think the gun sequence on the horse is pretty special.
What was the experience like collaborating with director Chad Stahelski?
Working with Chad Stahelski was fun, he is a great collaborator. We both kind of have the same taste. He likes what I tend to like in terms of action and cinema and we can just talk about stories and characters. There is shorthand and also inventiveness. He knows what he wants. He knows what to communicate. He knows what he is seeing. And he is a good guy.
Sofia, played by Halle Berry, is a new character in the franchise. How did she push you as an actor and what does her character bring to the franchise?
Well, the characters have a past, and I go to Sofia for some help. Halle is a wonderful artiste with such depth and for the action, there was such commitment and she’s so great at the drama, at characterisation and honesty. She’s great with the action.
The Continental Hotel is not John’s safe haven anymore and he can’t use that as a safety net. So how does that push John this time around?
He’s alone, he has to fend for himself. So part of the film is, how does he solve this situation? The consequences? The film starts right after Chapter 2, and he’s got an hour, right? Winston (played by Ian McShane) gave him an hour, but he’s excommunicado when there is an open contract. But he’s got an hour, so he’s got to figure something out.
If the franchise comes to an end, would you rather see John walk off into the sunset or die in battle?
Hmm, if it was Marvel, I could do both! I can die in battle and then come back. But what would I prefer? I want John to be happy. So, let’s have him walk out into the sunset so that he can remember his love for Helen (John Wick’s deceased wife, played by Bridget Moynahan).