Chad Stahelski, director of the John Wick series explains the reason why the assassin who killed Keanu Reeves’ dog was nearly removed from the film’s original version.
The John Wick filmmakers almost killed the main character in the script the dog.
Chad Stahelski, John Wick director of the franchise, was interviewed by The Hollywood Reporter whether Keanu Reeves’ 2014 action thriller could be as successful without needing to sacrifice the super-assassin’s dog. Stahelski as well as David Leitch struggled to decide whether the dog Wick was a good idea to be taken out of the film. Stahelski said that the dog’s death was written out nearly every time it was reintroduced.
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“Ultimately, it’s mythological. The symbolism was there, but we needed to be a bit extravagant. Director said that we’re not trying to maintain the authenticity. We want the viewers to have fun. You’re not aware of how stressed Dave and I were over this. We put our lives in danger by using credit cards, mortgages, and all the rest. Basil Iwanyk, the producer established his business. You realize that we’re killing a puppy, and everything is taking place. It was a terrifying idea that we’d never come back from it.
John Wick Studio tries to save the dog
From the initial John Wick draft Wick’s death has always been at the forefront. Despite the studio’s resistance to accepting the dog’s demise, Stahelski, Leitch and their screenwriter Derek Kolstad stood firm to stop their dog from being saved. “I think they wanted it to be the right thing. There were instances where the studio] stated”Let’s get rid of the dog.. Let’s concentrate on the assassin who is getting ready to retire. Kolstad was in agreement.
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The audience members who watched the test eventually responded to the dog’s death exactly the way John Wick filmmakers had hoped for. It was a significant attraction for the studio. Kolstad said, “We were watching our viewers.” Kolstad added, “As soon the dog passed away, and then watching their reaction, and later witnessing the devastation inside the home, we thought yes, we were right.”
Fans were devastated to see the dog go however, Wick got a new friend in the form of a pitbull puppy. The pitbull puppy was set to be killed at the conclusion of the first film. The dog was his new friend in the 2017 film John Wick Chapter 2 and 2019’s John Wick Chapter 3 – Parabellum. Following Chapter 3, Wick released Chapter 3 and the pup was so well-loved by the fans of his show that Wick received his very own Funko Pop.
Check out whether the super-assassin and his dog finally find peace after John Witt: Chapter 4 is released in cinemas on March 24.