John Wick: Chapter 2, the sequel to the 2014 action thriller, continued the story of the skilled assassin seeking peace and solace, only to be pulled back into the violent world he left behind. Released in 2017 and directed by Chad Stahelski, the film builds upon the unique universe established in the first installment and expands on the complex mythology of the criminal underworld. Here are 20 fascinating facts about John Wick: Chapter 2:
- Chad Stahelski returned to direct John Wick: Chapter 2 after the success of the first film, while Derek Kolstad reprised his role as the screenwriter.
- John Wick: Chapter 2 was released on February 10, 2017, and grossed over $171 million worldwide, nearly doubling the box office earnings of the original film.
- The sequel begins just four days after the events of the first movie, with John Wick still seeking to recover his stolen car.
- The film was shot on location in New York City, Rome, and Montreal, highlighting the international reach of the criminal underworld.
- Keanu Reeves trained extensively for the film, learning new martial arts techniques and sharpening his marksmanship skills.
- Common, a rapper and actor, joined the cast as Cassian, the chief bodyguard and right-hand man of the film’s primary antagonist, Gianna D’Antonio.
- The movie introduces the High Table, an international council of top crime lords that govern the world of assassins and enforce their code of conduct.
- John Wick: Chapter 2 marks the first time that Keanu Reeves and Laurence Fishburne, who plays the Bowery King, have shared the screen since their roles in The Matrix trilogy.
- The film features a “hall of mirrors” sequence inspired by the 1948 classic film, The Lady from Shanghai.
- Ruby Rose, who portrays the mute assassin Ares, developed her own form of sign language for her character, adding a unique element to her performance.
- John Wick’s new dog, a pit bull, does not have a name in the film. This was a deliberate choice to emphasize John’s reluctance to form a strong emotional attachment after the loss of Daisy.
- The body count in John Wick: Chapter 2 is even higher than the first film, with an estimated 128 on-screen kills.
- The character of Gianna D’Antonio, played by Claudia Gerini, was inspired by classic film-noir femme fatales.
- The film’s budget was significantly larger than the first movie, allowing for more elaborate action sequences and a broader scope.
- The opening car chase sequence was filmed using practical effects and stunts, with Keanu Reeves performing much of the driving himself.
- John Wick: Chapter 2 has a runtime of 2 hours and 2 minutes, slightly longer than the first film.
- The film’s score was composed by Tyler Bates and Joel J. Richard, who also created the music for the original John Wick movie.
- The tailor shop featured in the film, where John Wick acquires his bulletproof suit, was inspired by real-life bespoke tailors who catered to the criminal underworld in the past.
- The use of gold coins as currency within the criminal world is further explored in John Wick: Chapter 2, emphasizing the unique economy and culture of the underworld.
- The film’s ending sets the stage for the third installment, John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, which was released in 2019.
With its intense action sequences, captivating performances, and intricate world-building, the sequel solidified the franchise’s status as a modern classic in the action-thriller genre. These 20 facts offer a fascinating look at the creative process behind John Wick: Chapter 2 and the efforts made to bring this thrilling story to life. As the franchise continues to grow and evolve, fans eagerly await the next chapter in the saga of John Wick and the fascinating world he inhabits.
