John Wick has become one of the most successful film franchises of recent years, grossing over $500 million worldwide. The series, starring Keanu Reeves as the titular character, has captivated audiences with its stunning action sequences and unique universe of assassins and criminal organizations. While Hollywood may see John Wick’s success as a template for blockbuster films, there are a few valuable lessons that the industry will likely overlook. In this article, we explore five unorthodox takeaways from John Wick’s success that Hollywood should consider but probably won’t.
The John Wick franchise is a pop culture phenomenon that has captured the hearts and minds of audiences all around the world. The fourth installment of the series, John Wick: Chapter 4, has recently pulled in an incredible $73.5 million in the US on its opening weekend, with a global haul of $137.5 million – the best it has ever done. With Chad Stahelski having directed all four films, the question on everyone’s minds is what comes next for the franchise, and for Hollywood as a whole.
Stahelski has said that he is done with the franchise for now, and is considering working on a Ghost of Tsushima film, a Rainbow Six-inspired project with Michael B. Jordan, or possibly even a Highlander reboot starring Henry Cavill. Meanwhile, Keanu Reeves is set to appear in the upcoming John Wick spinoff film Ballerina, but has no plans to continue the main series at the moment. Lionsgate and Peacock are hoping that The Continental TV series, planned for later this year, will be enough to appease fans.
However, the success of the John Wick franchise raises bigger questions for Hollywood as a whole. When will the industry learn the lessons of John Wick’s success, and start producing more films that offer audiences its unique blend of action, story, and genuine emotion that fans have come to love? What are the key factors that contribute to the franchise’s success, and how can other filmmakers learn from them to make their own great movies?
One factor that made John Wick a success was its grassroots approach. The film started off as a spec script from writer Derek Kolstad, who spent almost 20 years trying to get any project off the ground. It wasn’t until producer Basil Iwanyk saw potential in Kolstad’s script that the film got greenlit. Director Stahelski and his team made the film on a modest budget of $20-30 million, and nobody expected it to be the worldwide hit that it eventually became. The franchise’s success shows that Hollywood can still make bank from mid-budget films if they’re patient and willing to let filmmakers take risks.
Another key factor in John Wick’s success is its fight choreography. Stahelski and his team come from a background in stunt work and action design, and their expertise is evident in the incredible fight scenes that are a hallmark of the franchise. Hollywood needs to give more opportunities to directors who come from similar backgrounds, as they are often the most qualified to create exciting and memorable action scenes.
Lastly, John Wick has been successful because of its star, Keanu Reeves. He may not be the hottest new thing in Hollywood, but his skills as an actor and action performer are unparalleled. The franchise has shown that audiences want to see movie stars who can actually do the things that their characters do on screen. Hollywood needs to find more actors who can blend star power with physical ability, as there is clearly a demand for it.
In the end, the John Wick franchise is more than just an action series. It’s a testament to the power of independent filmmaking, the value of expertise in action design, and the importance of casting movie stars who can also perform their own stunts. It’s a franchise that has changed the way we look at action movies, and hopefully, it will inspire more filmmakers to take risks and create their own unique visions that challenge and thrill audiences.
In conclusion, John Wick’s success is undeniable and has undoubtedly left a mark on Hollywood. His journey has taught us invaluable lessons, including the importance of character development, complex storytelling, and pacing. However, as much as we can learn from John Wick’s success, there are lessons that Hollywood probably won’t take. Unfortunately, the industry tends to prioritize commercial success over quality storytelling and character development, and this is unlikely to change anytime soon. Still, we can take solace in the fact that there are filmmakers out there who are committed to telling stories like John Wick’s and, hopefully, they will continue to inspire us with their work. In short, while Hollywood may not fully embrace all of the lessons we can learn from John Wick’s success, we can still appreciate the impact that he has had on storytelling and filmmaking, and look forward to the works that will follow in his footsteps.
