John Wick Movie

John Wick Movie Released in 2014,It is an American action thriller directed by Chad Stahelski and penned by Derek Kolstad. Keanu Reeves takes on the role of the titular character, John Wick, an infamous assassin who emerges from retirement with vengeance on his mind after the brutal murder of his cherished dog, a parting gift from his late wife. The film features a stellar cast including Michael Nyqvist, Alfie Allen, Adrianne Palicki, Bridget Moynahan, Dean Winters, Ian McShane, John Leguizamo, and Willem Dafoe.

Kolstad’s screenplay was inspired by his passion for action, revenge, and neo-noir genres. Producer Basil Iwanyk, venturing into independent film production, secured the rights to the script for his inaugural project. Reeves, amidst a career dip, found resonance in the script and suggested the seasoned stunt choreographers Stahelski and David Leitch to helm the action sequences. Stahelski and Leitch, advocating for co-directing duties, successfully negotiated their involvement in the project. Principal photography commenced in October 2013 with a budget ranging between $20 and $30 million, wrapping up that December. Stahelski and Leitch opted for meticulously choreographed extended takes, departing from the rapid editing style prevalent in contemporary action cinema, to effectively convey the intensity of the action sequences.

The inception of John Wick marked the genesis of a highly successful franchise, encompassing three sequels – John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017), John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019), and John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023). Additionally, the franchise expanded its universe with the prequel television series, The Continental: From the World of John Wick (2023), and the upcoming spin-off film, Ballerina (2025), alongside a range of video games and comic books. Renowned for its meticulously choreographed action sequences and innovative use of long single takes, John Wick has been hailed by retrospective assessments as one of the finest action films ever made. Its influence extends beyond mere entertainment, as it’s credited with breathing new life into the genre and popularizing a distinctive style of action cinematography.

Plot

In the heart of New York City, John Wick is grappling with the loss of his beloved wife, Helen. In her thoughtful gesture to aid his grieving process, Helen arranged for him to receive a beagle puppy. However, tragedy strikes when a group of Russian gangsters, led by Iosef Tarasov, crosses paths with John at a gas station. Unsuccessful in their attempt to intimidate him into selling his prized 1969 Boss 429 Mustang, they resort to violence. Under the cover of night, they invade John’s home, brutalize him, kill his cherished puppy, and make off with his cherished car.

As the repercussions of Iosef’s actions ripple through the criminal underworld, his father, Viggo Tarasov, confronts him for inviting the wrath of John Wick. Viggo unveils John’s formidable past as a feared hitman known as the Baba Yaga, a man of unwavering determination and lethal skill. Despite Viggo’s attempts to rectify the situation, John refuses to forgive and embarks on a relentless quest for vengeance. Armed with his arsenal of weapons and a cache of gold coins from his previous life, John dispatches the hit squad sent by Viggo with chilling efficiency.

With a two-million-dollar bounty on his head, John seeks refuge at the Continental, an opulent sanctuary where criminal activities are strictly prohibit. There, he reconnects with Winston, the owner of the hotel and an old friend. Winston informs John of Iosef’s whereabouts, leading him to the Red Circle nightclub. However, his confrontation with Iosef is interrupted by Viggo’s henchman, Kirill, forcing John to retreat to the safety of the Continental for urgent medical attention.

Cast of John Wick (2014)

Production

• Filming: Commencing on October 7, 2013, principal photography kicked off in and around New York City with a budget ranging from $20 to $30 million. Filming proved to be a demanding endeavor, grappling with challenges related to scheduling and budgetary constraints. The production faced the added hurdles of limited daylight for certain scenes and extensive night shoots amidst harsh, wintry conditions. The initial five days of filming unfolded in Mill Neck village, featuring pivotal scenes set at John’s residence. Producer Iwanyk initially harbored doubts about the project’s viability, observing the crew laboriously lighting a stuffed dog stand-in and Keanu Reeves portraying brooding moments. However, his skepticism waned upon witnessing Reeves’ portrayal of John’s interaction with a police officer following a skirmish with a hitman squad—an ostensibly ludicrous scenario executed with genuine earnestness.
• Writing: During the early 2000s, Derek Kolstad faced challenges in establishing himself as a screenwriter, diligently crafting up to eight screenplays annually, yet none made it to production. Despite his persistent efforts, he temporarily shelved his aspirations until his wife encouraged him to reignite his passion. With renewed determination, Kolstad acquired representation and penned 60 screenplays before achieving recognition through the low-budget action films One in the Chamber (2012) and The Package (2013). In a burst of creativity spanning four days, possibly in either 2012 or 2013, Kolstad authored a speculative script titled Scorn. Inspired by his disappointment with certain revenge-themed films, the script introduced the character of John Wick, a retired hitman in his mid-60s to mid-70s, reluctantly drawn back into the world he had left behind.
• Casting: The principal characters of John Wick were selected during casting sessions held in September and October 2013. Emphasis was place on securing talented yet affordable actors who were readily available in the short timeframe before filming commence. Filming in New York City facilitated the recruitment of local actors like Ian McShane, minimizing the need for extensive travel. Character actors capable of bringing Kolstad’s creations to life were prioritized, as their performances, despite limited screen time, were deemed crucial for enriching the narrative with insights into John Wick’s backstory and the intricacies of the underworld.
• Design: Stahelski and Leitch found inspiration for the visual aesthetic of John Wick by blending elements from a diverse array of their favorite films and directors. Stahelski particularly cited the crime thriller Point Blank (1967) as a significant influence, along with the classic visual style seen in films spanning the years 1960 to 1990, including Le Cercle Rouge (1970) and The Return of the Pink Panther (1975)—the latter a comedic take on hired killers chasing the protagonist. They also drew from Akira Kurosawa’s method of lingering on compositions, John Woo’s utilization of expansive shots and combat against multiple adversaries in works like The Killer (1989), and the iconic spaghetti westerns of Sergio Leone. Stahelski specifically referenced Clint Eastwood’s mysterious portrayal in The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966), highlighting the potency of unspoken character backstories. 

Release

As of August 2014, John Wick found itself without a secured distributor. Industry insiders attributed this lack of interest to concerns about the relatively untested directors and the limited independent film production experience of producer Iwanyk. Moreover, Keanu Reeves’ recent box office disappointments, such as 47 Ronin and Man of Tai Chi (both 2013), contributed to doubts about the film’s potential, even in key markets like China and Japan where Reeves had previously enjoyed a strong following. Despite securing solid presales in certain regions, significant territories showed little interest.

A screening arranged for studio acquisition executives didn’t go well; one attendee walked out shortly after it began. Amidst this, Lionsgate Films emerged as the sole bidder, proposing terms that included no upfront payment and minimal release commitments, hinting at a potential straight-to-home-video fate for John Wick. However, Lionsgate executives Jason Constantine and Tim Palen saw promise in the film and scheduled an October release through their subsidiary Summit Entertainment. The title “John Wick” was a late addition during production; dissatisfied with the original title “Scorn,” Reeves consistently referred to the project as “John Wick” in interviews, a move that Lionsgate executives estimated provided around “seven million dollars in free press.”

Box Office

John Wick premiered at Regal Union Square Theater in New York City on October 13, 2014, with Keanu Reeves accompanied by Andy, the dog portraying John’s faithful companion. The event was a collaboration with watch company Carl F. Bucherer.

Following its premiere, John Wick hit theaters in the United States and Canada on October 24, earning $14.4 million during its opening weekend across 2,589 theaters. This amounted to an impressive average of $5,568 per theater, securing its position as the second-highest-grossing film of the weekend, trailing behind Ouija ($19.9 million) and surpassing Fury ($13.3 million), which was in its second week.

The film’s success exceeded expectations, nearly doubling analysts’ predictions of $7–$10 million, and performed exceptionally well in 347 IMAX theaters, earning $2.5 million, which accounted for 18% of its total box office revenue. With a predominantly male audience, approximately 77% of viewers were over the age of 25. Despite a decline in its subsequent weekends, John Wick remained a formidable contender, grossing $8 million in its second weekend and $4.1 million in its third, though it exited the top-ten highest-grossing films by its fourth weekend, accumulating $2.2 million. By January 22, 2015, the film concluded its theatrical run with a total box office revenue of $43 million, ranking as the 79th-highest-grossing film of the year.

Internationally, John Wick earned an estimated $43 million, with notable earnings from Germany ($3.7 million), France ($3.2 million), Australia ($2.8 million), Taiwan ($2.6 million), Russia ($2.59 million), the United Kingdom ($2.4 million), and Japan ($2.3 million). Overall, John Wick amassed a global box office gross of approximately $86 million, securing its place as the 89th-highest-grossing film of 2014.