Baba Yaga, the Boogeyman – whatever moniker you place on Keanu Reeves’ stone-cold assassin, John Wick is not a man to be trifled with. Two years ago, David Leitch and Chad Stahelski’s directorial debut drove home that point with style, introducing moviegoers to an action hero that was as ferocious as he was unforgiving, hunting down the men responsible for killing his puppy – and, by effect, the last remaining memory of his late wife – and picking them off one by one.
Borrowing elements from martial arts films and even anime, John Wick was a true breakout hit, and after garnering $80 million plus at the international box office, we now arrive at John Wick: Chapter Two.
Penciled in for a launch early next year, Chad Stahelski, who assumes full directing duties now that Leitch has booked a journey to The Coldest City, has been drumming up excitement ahead of New York Comic-Con next weekend, with today heralding the first look at Reeves back and ready for business. In a similar vein to those monstrous Power Rangers posters, we fully expect this image to be a primer for the unveiling of the sequel’s maiden trailer. A NYCC panel is booked in for October 8, so watch this space for more.
Rounding out the cast sheet for Chapter Two are Lance Reddick, Ian McShane, John Leguizamo and Bridget Moynahan. There’s also a host of newcomers getting in on the action, including Laurence Fishburne – The Matrix reunion at last! – Ruby Rose, Common, Peter Stormare and Thomas Sadoski.
John Wick: Chapter Two is earmarked for launch on February 10, 2017.
Keanu Reeves returns in the sequel to the 2014 hit as legendary hitman John Wick who is forced to back out of retirement by a former associate plotting to seize control of a shadowy international assassins’ guild. Bound by a blood oath to help him, John travels to Rome where he squares off against some of the world’s deadliest killers.