(Left) Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia in Netflix’s ‘The Witcher.’ Photo: Jay Maidment. (Right) Russell Crowe as “Roy Freeman” in the Action/Crime/Thriller film ‘Sleeping Dogs,’ a The Avenue release. Photo courtesy of The Avenue.
Preview:
Russell Crowe is joining the ‘Highlander’ reboot.
Henry Cavill is starring in the movie.
‘John Wick’ veteran Chad Stahelski is in the director’s chair.
It’s been a while since we’ve heard much of an update about director Chad Stahelski’s plan to reboot the ‘Highlander’ action franchise, and that’s partly because of the actors’ and writers’ strikes in 2023 and the fault of a certain other well-known action character, John Wick (of which Stahelski is the main director and franchise overseer).
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Yet there is some forward movement now on the film that will star Henry Cavill as an immortal warrior facing off against his fellow fighters, as Collider brings word that Russell Crowe is now aboard the film in an unspecified role.
Christopher Lambert as Connor MacLeod in 1986’s ‘Highlander.’ Photo: 20th Century Fox.
The 1988 original revolves around Connor MacLeod (Christopher Lambert), a Scottish Highlander born in the 16th Century who is somehow immortal. He has survived through the centuries, and learns from Juan Sanchez Villa-Lobos Ramirez (Sean Connery), that he is part of a race of many who can only die when beheaded.
The power of the slain immortal is absorbed into the victor, and they are all competing for “The Prize” –– enough power to rule Earth forever. Connor’s biggest threat is the Kurgan (Clancy Brown), a murderous brute of an immortal who wants that power for himself and Connor must face him at an event known as The Gathering.
There can, as the tagline famously reads, only be one.
Directed by Russell Mulcahy, the first film is considered a cult classic, dividing audiences into those who love it and those who think it’s so bad it’s great. The movie is famous for its sword fights and its Queen-composed soundtrack.
It spawned several sequels (including the much-maligned ‘Highlander II: The Quickening’, which attempted to introduce the idea that the immortals are aliens), various spin-off TV series plus comics, video games and a host of other merchandise.
While Stahelski clearly loves the original, he’s not above pointing out its flaws:
“There’s not a lot that happens in the second act, It’s mostly about bitchin’ flashbacks with Sean Connery mugging the camera. You watch the movie, and it has no business being good or cool or interesting, but for whatever reason — the fisheye lenses, weird sword fights, f****d up dialogue, and the Queen soundtrack make it one of the funnest movies you’ll ever watch.”
Stahelski on his plans
Chad Stahelski attends ‘Wick Is Pain’ Screening At Beyond Fest at Aero Theatre on May 08, 2025 in Santa Monica, California. Photo: Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Lionsgate.
Here’s what Stahelski had to say about his ideas:
“ ‘Highlander,’ I’ll tell you, if we get our s**t together and pull off a feature, we have ideas for days about the coolest characters and how to make that an epic TV show. I just think that’s a rich, rich mythology. Our story engages a lot of the same characters and stuff like that. But we’ve also brought in elements of all the TV shows, and we’re trying to do a bit of a prequel, a setup to The Gathering, so we have room to grow the property.”
As for the story:
“We’re bringing it forward from the early 1500s in the Highlands to the beyond present-day New York and Hong Kong. There’s big opportunity for action… and it’s a bit of a love story — but not how you think.”
And how he pitched it to his leading man, per Collider:
“My selling point to [Henry] was, look, you’ve got a guy that’s been alive for over 500 years. He’s the last person in the world that wanted to be in this situation. So you get to cover quite a broad spread of a character arc… and you get to experience someone that’s trained over 500 years and sort of played [with many types of] martial arts.”
Who could Russell Crowe play in the new ‘Highlander’?
Russell Crowe in ‘Gladiator’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
It’s anyone’s guess at this point as to how Crowe will fit into the story, but there are options.
He could, for example, be playing a version of the Kurgan, and we could see Crowe doing something fun and intense with the concept of an immortal psychopath who has, in the Brown version, gone on to be one of the most memorable screen baddies.
And then there is famed “Spaniard” Juan Sanchez Villa-Lobos Ramirez, as brought to life by Connery. Could Crowe be showing up as a veteran immortal warrior who helps Cavill’s character achieve his destiny?
Finally, given the changes that Stahelski is planning, he could be an all-new character. We’re still guessing he could unleash hell! Wait, no, wrong franchise…
When will the ‘Highlander’ reboot be on screens?
Despite Amazon MGM’s clear enthusiasm for the movie, it is not yet at a point where the company can set a release date.
Crowe’s attachment means this one is clearly gearing up, so stay tuned for more news. Who wants to live forever?
(L to R) Sean Connery as Juan Sánchez-Villalobos Ramírez and Christopher Lambert as Connor MacLeod in 1986’s ‘Highlander.’ Photo: 20th Century Fox.
List of Movies and TV Shows in the ‘Highlander’ Franchise:
Universal Pictures’ live-action ‘How to Train Your Dragon’, written and directed by Dean DeBlois. Photo: Universal Pictures.
Preview:
The new ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ is a roaring success so far.
Dean DeBlois’ film has earned more than $197 million globally.
Disney’s own live-action conversion of ‘Lilo & Stitch’ fell to second place.
Looks like audiences were very ready to visit the island of Berk again.
Or perhaps the term should truly be re-visit, since the new ‘How to Train Your Dragon,’ a live-action re-imagining of the 2010 animated adventure, is essentially that movie told over again.
Still, audiences embraced it to the tune of $83 million at the domestic box office.
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The new movie, written and directed by Dean DeBlois (who co-wrote and directed the animated original before taking on its two follow-ups), has been a big success for DreamWorks and Universal, which dipped a toe (a claw, perhaps?) into the animated-to-live-action conversion following years of Disney doing the same.
How did the ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ live-action movie do elsewhere at the box office?
(from left) Hiccup (Mason Thames) and Astrid (Nico Parker) in Universal Pictures’ live-action ‘How to Train Your Dragon’, written and directed by Dean DeBlois. Photo: Universal Pictures.
‘How to Train Your Dragon’ wasn’t just successful here.
It collected $114 million while landing in 81 overseas markets, ranking as the No. 1 movie at the international box office, and $197.8 million globally. Top territories include Mexico with $14 million, the UK and Ireland with $11.2 million and China with $11.2 million.
Here’s Universal’s domestic distribution chief Jim Orr on the success of the movie:
“Our filmmaker Dean DeBlois created an incredible tale with heart, action and emotion. Multiple generations are in love with it. With our audience scores, I can only believe we are going to have a long run throughout the summer.”
And this was ComScore analyst Paul Dergarabedian on one reason for it:
“PG has become the goldilocks of ratings, one that indicates a film is appropriate for kids but still has enough edge to appeal to young adults, teens and more mature moviegoers. This is certainly a trend that should carry over to ‘Elio,’‘Smurfs’ and ‘The Bad Guys 2,’ which are yet to come on the summer movie slate.”
It’s a success story, since the movie cost $150 million to make and an additional $100 million to market, but assuming it has legs at the box office, it’ll easily make some profit.
What else happened at the box office this weekend?
This weekend’s new arrival deposed the previous box office champ, Disney’s ‘Lilo & Stitch’, another example of a movie that was re-imagined in live-action from an animated original.
In a distant second place, the other remake has collected $15.5 million in its fourth weekend of release.
The company won’t be too worried, though, as the movie is already a blockbuster with $366 million domestically and $858 million globally. It’s on track to be the year’s first billion dollar release.
The weekend’s other major wide release, A24’s ‘Materialists,’ launched at No. 3 with a promising $12 million from 2,844 venues.
Though it was met with a mixed audience reception, the film launched above projections that had been sitting around $8 million to $10 million.
Directed by Celine Song in her follow-up to the Oscar-nominated ‘Past Lives,’ the movie follows a New York City matchmaker (Dakota Johnson) who finds herself in a love triangle with a wealthy suitor (Pedro Pascal) and an imperfect ex (Chris Evans).
A24 spent $20 million on the film, not including marketing fees.
(L to R) Dakota Johnson and Pedro Pascal in ‘Materialists’. Credit: Atsushi Nishijima.
The eighth entry in the Tom Cruise-starring action franchise has amassed $166.3 million in North America and $506 million worldwide to date.
Against its massive $400 million budget (partly the impact of covid and other delays), though, ‘The Final Reckoning’ doesn’t have the strength to climb out of the red in its initial theatrical run.
The film earned $9.4 million from 3,409 theaters in its second weekend of release, a 62% decline from its debut. So far, the movie has generated $41.8 million domestically and $91.5 million globally, hardly punching above its weight for the franchise.
What’s the future for the ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ live-action franchise?
Even before this movie was released, DreamWorks and Universal were clearly enthused, as a sequel has already been ordered, with a date set for June 11th, 2027.
Given the response to this one, it certainly looks like cinemagoers will be back for it.
Mason Thames (right) as Hiccup with his Night Fury dragon, Toothless, in Universal Pictures’ live-action ‘How to Train Your Dragon’, written and directed by Dean DeBlois. Photo: Universal Pictures.
Other Movies Similar to ‘How to Train Your Dragon:’
(L to R) Ana de Armas as Eve and Keanu Reeves as John Wick in ‘Ballerina’. Photo: Courtesy of Lionsgate.
The ‘John Wick‘ franchise has become one of the most popular action franchises of all time!
Starring Keanu Reeves, ‘John Wick’ and its three sequels have made more than $1 billion at the box office and has spawned a TV series, a documentary, and a new spinoff called ‘From the World of John Wick: Ballerina‘, which stars Ana de Armas, as well as Reeves reprising his iconic role.
In honor of the new movie, which opens in theaters on June 6th, Moviefone is counting down every ‘John Wick’ movie and TV show ever made, from non-lethal to most deadly.
Ana de Armas as Eve in ‘Ballerina’. Photo: Larry D. Horricks.
Taking place during the events of ‘John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum’, the film follows Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas) who is beginning her training in the assassin traditions of the Ruska Roma.
(L to R) Keanu Reeves and Halle Berry in ‘John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum’. Photo: Lionsgate.
Super-assassin John Wick (Keanu Reeves) returns with a $14 million price tag on his head and an army of bounty-hunting killers on his trail. After killing a member of the shadowy international assassin’s guild, the High Table, John Wick is excommunicado, but the world’s most ruthless hit men and women await his every turn.
Keanu Reeves in ‘John Wick: Chapter 2’. Photo: Lionsgate.
John Wick (Keanu Reeves) is forced out of retirement by a former associate looking to seize control of a shadowy international assassins’ guild. Bound by a blood oath to aid him, Wick travels to Rome and does battle against some of the world’s most dangerous killers.
Keanu Reeves as John Wick in ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’. Photo Credit: Murray Close.
John Wick (Keanu Reeves) uncovers a path to defeating The High Table. But before he can earn his freedom, Wick must face off against a new enemy with powerful alliances across the globe and forces that turn old friends into foes.
Ana de Armas as Eve in ‘Ballerina’. Photo: Larry D. Horricks.
‘From the World of John Wick: Ballerina’ has shades of what made the previous ‘John Wick’ films great, especially in the second half, but suffers from a boring first half and tonal issues throughout. The first half meanders through exposition and trying too hard to fit into the ‘John Wick’ universe, while the second half succeeds in delivering the type of action sequences we expect from the franchise. Director Len Wiseman fails to inject the first half of the film with any urgency, and instead relies on the second half’s action sequences to sell the movie.
Not surprisingly, Ana de Armas shines in the action sequences, but her character’s backstory is muddled by the slow tone of the first half. We also are meant to follow her as she learns to become an assassin, but this becomes tedious as we want our hero in a ‘John Wick’ movie to be kicking butt and not getting her own butt kicked. The returning ‘Wick’ actors are all welcomed but not given much to do, except for Keanu Reeves in the second half, but even his character seems wasted in a way and brings into question how this movie fits into the larger ‘John Wick’ franchise timeline.
Story and Direction
(L to R) Ana de Armas as Eve and Director Len Wiseman in ‘Ballerina’. Photo: Larry D. Horricks.
The film begins with a flashback revealing how a young Eve Macarro (Victoria Comte) watched as the Chancellor (Gabriel Byrne), a member of the High Table, murdered her father before she escaped, and was taken to the Director (Huston) by Winston Scott (McShane). Through an opening credits montage, we learn that Eve was trained by the Ruska Roma crime syndicate as both a ballet dancer and an assassin.
The story then picks up at the beginning of ‘John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum’, with de Armas now portraying Eve, as she watches the notorious John Wick (Reeves), a former member, now on the run, seek refuge from the Director. After a brief encounter between the two, Wick leaves and the story then jumps ahead several months. Eve is now working as an assassin but struggles with her first assignment. She soon discovers that her target has the same mark on his hand as the man who killed her father.
Looking for revenge, and against the orders of the Director, Eve searches to find Daniel Pine (Reedus), who is trying to protect his own daughter and is also being hunted by the group that killed Eve’s father. Eventually she discovers that the Chancellor is behind her father’s death, and she travels to the remote town of assassins that the Chancellor leads. However, to protect an alliance the Director has with the Chancellor, she hires John Wick to stop Eve from killing him, even if that means John must kill her himself.
Ana de Armas as Eve in ‘Ballerina’. Photo: Larry D. Horricks.
I consider Len Wiseman a serviceable director having made decent films like the ‘Underworld’ franchise and ‘Live Free or Die Hard’, but he is by no means a great director, and hardly my first choice to take over the franchise from Chad Stahelski, who’s brilliant work with the action sequences set the tone for the entire franchise. Wiseman was clearly out of his depths working on a ‘John Wick’ spinoff, and the pacing, tone, and the uninspiring action sequences in the first half of the movie prove it.
But the second half of the film does deliver the fast-paced tone and vibrant action of the previous films, so how did that happen? Well, if rumors are true, Wiseman was replaced during production by producer and ‘John Wick’ director Chad Stahelski, who re-shot most of the movie, particularly the second half’s action sequences and the scenes with Reeves. If this is true, it would explain why the movie feels like two different films. It’s not as bad of a “Frankenstein assembled movie” as say, ‘Justice League’, but it is still quite glaring and I’m not sure why the studio didn’t just hire Stahelski in the first place?
While the tone and pacing are all over the place, and the story itself contradicts the timeline established in the previous movies, if Stahelski did reshoot half the film, it was well worth it and saved the movie from being a complete disaster to a decent action film that gets exceedingly better in the second half.
Cast and Performances
Ana de Armas as Eve in ‘Ballerina’. Photo: Murray Close.
Taking over for real life ballerina Unity Phelan, who played Eve in a cameo in ‘John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum’, Ana de Armas brings a lot to the role. She is captivating on screen and brings true emotion to her character but is also fantastic in the action sequences. However, the poor pacing and confusing tone of the first half of the film does the actress no favors.
The concept of a ‘Ballerina’ movie, so I thought, was to establish a “Female John Wick” in this cinematic universe, but the first half of the film feels more like “Female John Wick Begins”, with the character still finding her way as an assassin. That might have worked in any other film, but this is a ‘John Wick’ movie, and if Eve is going to go up against “Baba Yaga” himself, I would have wanted the character to be a match in experience and fighting skills to Wick.
Once she does face off with Wick towards the film’s finale, she is able to go toe to toe with him, but that doesn’t exactly align with the character that was established earlier in the movie. But regardless, de Armas is a very strong actress, and despite the film’s shortcomings, carries the movie well, especially in the later action sequences. The character is a great addition to the franchise but will perhaps be better used in a supporting role in a possible ‘John Wick: Chapter 5’, rather than in her own series.
(L to R) Ana de Armas as Eve and Keanu Reeves as John Wick in ‘Ballerina’. Photo: Courtesy of Lionsgate.
It’s always great to see Keanu Reeves playing this character, but except for a cameo appearance in the beginning, he is not given much to do until the end. While the inclusion of his character was meant to bridge the gap between this film and the original series, it does take the audience’s attention away from Eve, and this really should be her story.
Reeves inclusion at the end also feels like a desperate move to link the films, and the timeline of how this happens might be confusing for some. My guess is that the end of ‘Ballerina’ takes place between the end of ‘Parabellum’ and the beginning of ‘Chapter 4’, but it’s hard to really know. Having previously worked together on ‘Knock Knock’ and ‘Exposed’, Reeves and de Armas do have strong chemistry together, which shows in their scenes.
As for the rest of the returning ‘Wick’ characters, none of them are given much to do. Anjelica Huston is good as the Director, but after the beginning of the movie, is relegated to “phone acting” in most of her subsequent scenes and the history of the character is never really explored.
(L to R) Ian McShane as Winston Scott and Ana de Armas as Eve in ‘Ballerina’. Photo: Courtesy of Lionsgate.
The same could be said for Ian McShane’s Winston Scott, who is de-aged for his opening scene with a young Eve, and then not really revisited till the end of the movie. I would have liked the film to explore his connection to Eve more and have that play a bigger role in the story. But it was a treat to see the late great Lance Reddick return one more time as Winston’s right hand man Charon, even if his role is a glorified cameo.
Gabriel Byrne’s Chancellor fits well into the seedy world of ‘John Wick’ and is a strong advisory to Eve. The actor walks the thin line between generic bad guy and a real emotional and physical threat and does his best to overcome the script’s shortcomings. ‘The Walking Dead’s Norman Reedus is also a good addition to the franchise, but his role was cut short, and I really would have liked it if the film had explored his character, relationship to his daughter, and encounter with Eve more. As it is, Reedus only has one scene but does the best he can with it.
Final Thoughts
Ana de Armas as Eve in ‘Ballerina’. Photo: Murray Close.
In short, ‘From the World of John Wick: Ballerina’ was not as bad as I feared, but not as good as I had hoped. While the first half is slow and does not feel like a ‘John Wick’ movie, the second half is more of what I expected, and is worth watching. But despite some great action sequences and strong performances from both de Armas and Reeves, the movie fails to truly resonate for ‘Wick’ fans and non-fans alike.
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What is the plot of ‘From the World of John Wick: Ballerina’?
Taking place between the events of ‘John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum’ and ‘Chapter 4’, Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas), a ballerina-assassin, begins to train in the assassin traditions of the Ruska Roma and sets out to exact revenge for her father’s death.
Who is in the cast of ‘From the World of John Wick: Ballerina’?
Ana de Armas as Eve Macarro
Anjelica Huston as the Director
Gabriel Byrne as the Chancellor
Ian McShane as Winston Scott
Lance Reddick as Charon
Norman Reedus as Daniel Pine
Keanu Reeves as John Wick
(L to R) Lance Reddick as Charon, Ian McShane as Winston Scott and Ana de Armas as Eve Macarro in ‘Ballerina’. Photo: Larry D. Horricks.
List of Movies and TV Shows in the ‘John Wick’ Franchise:
Ana de Armas stars in ‘From the World of John Wick: Ballerina’.
Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Ana de Armas about her work on ‘From the World of John Wick: Ballerina’, what ‘John Wick’ fans can expect from the movie, shooting the action sequences, reuniting on screen with Keanu Reeves, and joining the iconic franchise.
You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with de Armas, Ian McShane, Norman Reedus, and director Len Wiseman.
Ana de Armas as Eve in ‘Ballerina’. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lionsgate.
Moviefone: To begin with, what would you say to ‘John Wick’ fans sitting down right now to watch this movie in a theater to prepare them for the action-packed experience they are about to have?
Ana de Armas: Just get a lot of popcorn and get ready for a wild ride. I mean, if they like the ‘John Wick’ (movies), this is right down their alley. It’s a perfect addition and extension of the franchise and I think they’re going to be really surprised and they’re going to have a blast.
Ana de Armas as Eve in ‘Ballerina’. Photo: Larry D. Horricks.
MF: Can you talk about preparing physically for the action sequences and working with the incredible stunt team at 87eleven Productions?
ADA: It was wonderful. I enjoyed every second of it. I also was in a lot of pain at times, but it was part of the process, and it just transformed me. It pushed me to my limits, it changed my body, it changed my endurance, my discipline, and the way I just approached my everyday life during filming. It was just great to feel like you’re getting good at something, like you’re learning new stuff. I love that, learning new skills and that you’re capable of doing these things. It was fun.
(L to R) Ana de Armas as Eve and Keanu Reeves as John Wick in ‘Ballerina’. Photo: Courtesy of Lionsgate.
MF: What was it like reuniting with actor Keanu Reeves on screen after making ‘Knock Knock’ and ‘Exposed’, and having his blessing for joining the franchise?
ADA: It was great. It was special. Ten years after we met, we’re here working together again. ‘John Wick’ and the franchise is what it is because of him and what he’s done. I have so much respect for him as an actor and the work they’ve done with the movies. Just to have him on set on my film now supporting me and like you said, giving his blessing to this extension of the franchise, it was a dream come true. Have him walking, wearing the John Wick suit again and in such a cool scene between the two characters, was just amazing.
(L to R) Lance Reddick as Charon, Ian McShane as Winston Scott and Ana de Armas as Eve Macarro in ‘Ballerina’. Photo: Larry D. Horricks.
MF: Finally, you are now officially a member of the ‘John Wick’ cinematic universe. What does it mean to you personally to join this franchise and be part of its legacy?
ADA: It’s amazing. It’s something I never thought was going to come my way and it just means a lot. I love just being a part of it. Whatever happens with ‘Ballerina’, whatever we go from now, I just know that I am a part of something special.
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What is the plot of ‘From the World of John Wick: Ballerina’?
Taking place between the events of ‘John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum’ and ‘Chapter 4’, Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas), a ballerina-assassin, begins to train in the assassin traditions of the Ruska Roma and sets out to exact revenge for her father’s death.
Who is in the cast of ‘From the World of John Wick: Ballerina’?
Ana de Armas as Eve Macarro
Anjelica Huston as the Director
Gabriel Byrne as the Chancellor
Ian McShane as Winston Scott
Lance Reddick as Charon
Norman Reedus as Daniel Pine
Keanu Reeves as John Wick
Ana de Armas as Eve in ‘Ballerina’. Photo: Larry D. Horricks.
List of Movies and TV Shows in the ‘John Wick’ Franchise:
(L to R) Josh Oreck and Chad Stahelski attend ‘Wick Is Pain’ Screening At Beyond Fest at Aero Theatre on May 08, 2025 in Santa Monica, California. Photo: Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Lionsgate.
Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with ‘John Wick’ franchise director Chad Stahelski and ‘Wick Is Pain’ producer Josh Oreck about their work on the new documentary, revisiting the origins of the franchise and Stahelski’s career, utilizing existing behind-the-scenes footage from all four films, Stahelski’s long friendship with Keanu Reeves, how the ‘John Wick’ fighting style changed the industry, making a painfully truthful documentary, and the legacy of the popular franchise.
You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interview.
(L to R) Keanu Reeves and Chad Stahelski attend ‘Wick Is Pain’ Screening At Beyond Fest at Aero Theatre on May 08, 2025 in Santa Monica, California. Photo: Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Lionsgate.
Moviefone: To begin with, Chad, I was surprised to learn from the documentary that you had a really hard time making the first ‘John Wick’. Was it difficult for you to revisit those moments for this documentary?
Chad Stahelski: I think the first time Josh showed me all the footage again, but you have a very different experience when you’re watching it alone. When you watch it alone, it makes your palms sweat and it makes you have a psychosomatic response of, “Boy, I made a lot of mistakes.” But watching it with a few people that were there, like Josh, we all watched it together and it’s okay, it’s kind of comedy. You just watch and realize many mistakes, and it brings back all the good nostalgia. It’s always like anything, right? After college, you don’t remember all the stressful tests and all the things. You remember the good times and it’s like that. Now that it’s over and we were somewhat successful, there’s no stress, so it’s very fun to watch. At the time, no, it was not very enjoyable to live through.
(L to R) Keanu Reeves and Chad Stahelski on the set of ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’. Photo: Niko Tavernise for Lionsgate.
MF: Was it cathartic in a way to revisit that time in your life now after all the success you’ve had with the franchise?
CS: In a way, a little bit cathartic. Success builds confidence a little bit, right? So, the only thing I really had, and my parents were like this, my brothers, we have a strong sense of that gut instinct of, “Hey, if I really believe in this, good.” If you have an argument with someone, you can sleep at night, you are in the right. If you had an argument with someone and you couldn’t sleep at night, you were probably in the wrong. You learn to trust your gut a little bit. As a competitor and as a performer, I always kind of trusted my gut more than anything. So, when you’re dealing with all these creative talks and you’re pitching, “Well, we’re going to kill a puppy and we’re going to make it like Odysseus. It’s going to be a Greek mythology, and we’re going to have him fight a female assassin, and then he’s going to go ride a horse and kill 1,000 people.” There’s a lot of people that are going to tell you that may not be the best way to take your career. “Those aren’t the best ideas, those are silly, those are stupid, that isn’t going to work. People aren’t going to watch it. That’s too much, that’s not enough.” Even people on your team are telling you twenty different directions, and it’s so easy to get lost in a creative process that’s as much collaborative as it is making a film. If I was a painter, I would paint what I see in my head. My brush stroke controls it. In a movie, I must go through a minimal of 200 to 300 people to make even the most basic of decisions. To get a movie greenlit, make the movie, do the stunts, get it finished and sell it, it’s 1,000 people, to be generous, right? Now, each one of those has their own version of the movie in their head, and each one of those is going to tell you, some have influenced, some don’t. So, how do you know? That’s where the phrase ‘Death by a thousand cuts” comes in. If I do a little of what you think and a little of what he thinks and a little of what they think and a little of this, I start to lose what I think. So, what I’m saying is, I’ve kind of always followed my instinct on ‘John Wick’. A thousand people are telling me what I should do, do I think about it? Yeah, you should think about it. But then again, the decision’s still mine. You must know when to say, “I’m doing it this way.” Or “Maybe I should try this.” Look, it’s cathartic in the way that I’ve learned to process. I’ve learned to try everything, listen to everybody, but make the decision based on what I feel. Looking back over ten years and four films, there’s two or three things in each movie I regret, and I now know, thanks to Josh and his documentary, those are the three or four things where I listened to somebody else. I’ve learned that all the moments when people cheer, cry and yell, it’s because they felt good. So, if nothing else, I’ve learned. If anything, I’ve gained confidence to trust my gut.
Josh Oreck attends ‘Wick Is Pain’ Screening At Beyond Fest at Aero Theatre on May 08, 2025 in Santa Monica, California. Photo: Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Lionsgate.
MF: Josh, having access to the behind-the-scenes footage from all four ‘John Wick’ movies, did you sort of use that as a blueprint for making this documentary?
Josh Oreck: Part of it was having this enormous trove of footage. Another part of it is just having had known Chad and Keanu since before that, since their ‘Matrix’ days where they had a different relationship that evolved into what we see in this documentary. Knowing that there was a bigger story to be told than what we had already done with the footage in the DVD extras and in the press materials for the movies. So, just knowing that there was both a more complicated backstory, for lack of a better term. Then also just stuff in our footage that we didn’t need to talk about, like the struggle to get financing, when the movie came out. We just needed to sell the movie and get people’s butts in seats. So, being able to come back to it and say there was so much of this journey that hadn’t been put to the screen was a good guiding factor there. Then, on top of it all, just there was so much good stuff that we wanted to still show. Finally, to be able to get Chad and Keanu to come in and having them be able to come back in and give some perspective to things was a really nice way of being able to relive ten years in an unusual fashion.
Chad Stahelski attends ‘Wick Is Pain’ Screening At Beyond Fest at Aero Theatre on May 08, 2025 in Santa Monica, California. Photo: Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Lionsgate.
MF: As much as this is a documentary about the making of ‘John Wick’, it’s also a documentary about Chad’s life and career. Josh, can you talk about that?
JO: I mean, I would probably just add a tiny bit to it. I would add the immense force of nature that is Keanu Reeves into that. I don’t think that it’s not trying to delve into his inner psychology, but he’s an immense presence here. The relationship between those two is front and center in this film and obviously goes back 25 years. But, I feel enormously privileged and I feel amazed by what I’ve seen in watching Chad go from someone who was a performer when I first met him, to being a director who’s firing at the highest level, making films that he wants to make, that people go to see, that, to me, are really pieces of great cinematic art. That’s an amazing journey that I’ve been able to document the entire bit of thus far, and it’s been a real privilege.
(L to R) Chad Stahelski and Keanu Reeves in ‘Wick is Pain’. Photo: Courtesy of Lionsgate.
MF: Chad, can you talk about your long friendship with Keanu and how has that relationship grown and changed since making the ‘John Wick’ movies?
CS: I think any good relationship comes from a lot of shared interest, and I guess, respect for the other person. Having known Keanu for twenty years beforehand, seeing his work ethic. Remember, I’m younger and I met him when he was at the top of his career. I didn’t meet him till ‘The Matrix’. I was only 24 at the time, and I was just medium way through stunts, a medium level performer, kind of getting in. There wasn’t a lot yet for martial art guys to get in. It was a different time before ‘The Matrix’. Now, it’s like everybody’s a martial arts guy. But there were times that I looked at him going, “Oh my God, I’m going to have to train way harder. This guy’s good.” I was used to doubling people on different shows and the cast members hadn’t had a lot of experience in the fight world or wire work. I meet Keanu who works so hard. I was like, “Well, if he’s in the gym at 7:00am, I better be here at 6:30am. If he leaves at 4:00pm, I’m leaving at 5:00pm”. You just make a commitment that I’m going to work my ass off because he’s working his off. I just figured that’s the way you do it. This is the actor. If he’s trying this hard, I got to try that hard. Imagine that for 10 years of doubling this guy and always having that work ethic, trying to keep up with him. You see that and then you see the way he relates to people. You’ve heard the stories and what he gave for wrap gifts on ‘The Matrix’, all the stunt guys, and he’s legendary for being humble, having humility and having this gentleman-like persona. It’s all true. So now, you’ve got that, so you’re learning to be a good human at the same time. In those quiet moments when we’re not working, we’re all on location. So, you go see movies and you realize that Keanu Reeves is a true audience member. He’s not going there for a professional study. He’s going to a movie theater because he loves movies. He loves it in the theater. So now, I’m laughing, and he’s laughing. You realize you’re not at work, this is just who this guy is. He wants to work hard, but he loves movies, and we both love movies. So, when it came time to do a movie, he’s like, “I want to make an action movie with a guy that loves movies. I don’t want to work with a director that says he loves movies but doesn’t really love action movies.” We all have the same pitches. We’re not idiots. We know why action movies don’t work. We know why some things are cheesy. We know the studios or different entities; we know their games on how they screw things up. We’ve been in it. We’ve been part of those movies, and you can see it getting screwed up. You can see it not servicing the crowd. So now, we’ve got a few people together that all love the same things, that all want to avoid the same trappings, and that know avoiding those trappings is going to take a lot of extra work, a lot of extra time for a lot less money. So, how do we do it? I think that’s the bonding thing that everybody talks about and is that mutual respect, that force of sheer will that you have a common goal and whatever that goal costs, you’re going to pay it. Now you have that, you’re looking across the line at each other going, “Okay, you in? I’m in. Okay.” Once you have that connection, you can do anything, and that’s the team we tried to build over 10 years.
Keanu Reeves as John Wick in ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’. Photo Credit: Murray Close for Lionsgate.
MF: Chad, can you talk about creating the ‘John Wick’ fighting style and incorporating “Gun-Fu” into the franchise, and the way that it has changed the industry?
CS: I don’t know if we changed anything. I look at action design, or let’s just say fight choreography, just like fashion. Hey man, bell-bottoms were cool. They kind of made a comeback and will come back again. Cutoffs, the tank top. Who knows? I’m not a big fashion guy, but it’s all around. Look, Gun-Fu was around way before me. Maybe the name is new, Jackie Chan and Jet Li, they were doing. It’s like Aikido, Aiki-jitsu, Jiu Jitsu, it’s been around since cinema’s been around. Right? It’s just, we kind of, we were coming off the success of all the ‘Bourne’ movies and what they had done with that. Then ‘Taken’, the shaky cam and it was a very cool time. Look, we just wanted to do something different. We wanted to stand out, so we wanted longer takes and we couldn’t really do what we wanted to do with just punching, kicking and fast editing. We needed the slow editing style, longer takes, we needed the grappling and the close quarter gun stuff, so I didn’t have to edit back and forth. The technology had changed where we had what they either call plug guns or non-guns now that don’t fire blanks the way they used to. So, they’re very, very, very safe. We managed to do close quarter stuff like that. So, we took advantage of the time, the changing fashion sense of things, and kind of put that together with what we thought was a great character trait. John Wick is this husky, Sombo-esque Jiu Jitsu guy. He wants to get close and talk to you in it. We thought that was a cool way because Keanu had done all ‘The Matrix’s, and we just wanted to have a little bit of differentiation between us and Neo. So, rather than all the wire work, we went with really grounded hardcore stuff, and it gave us a way to shoot things and it gave us a way to characterize John Wick that he hadn’t seen Keanu do before. The most I can take credit for is trying to be clever of being different and utilizing techniques which hadn’t been seen in recent times. Did we invent it? No. Did we classicalize it? Maybe. But did we just bring it to the forefront of the fashion movement in action design? Yes, we’ll take a little credit for that. We were kind of clever in that way. But it was nothing more than a reinvention or a rediscovering of stuff that had been around.
Keanu Reeves in ‘John Wick’. Photo: David Lee for Lionsgate.
MF: Josh, the documentary is incredible truthful and doesn’t sugarcoat anything. Was there any subject that felt too personal, or that you decided not to include for any reason?
JO: Well, I appreciate that. I think Chad really wanted to put it all out there at the service of what we’re trying to do, which is show how complicated it is to make a movie, and that involves a lot of personal sacrifices that people make. Chad talks about his own personal life being thrown into disarray because of working on these films. The core relationship between him and David Leitch was something that has been fraught, and we talk about it in the movie. I just think that we were lucky in that Chad was willing to allow us to tell these stories. I think it’s a cool thing, and it’s something that over time we’ll be happy that we didn’t avoid Chad talking about that his marriage broke up or things like that. But these things are things that happen because of this business that we’re in that’s really so consuming. So, we’re just trying to make something that’s true to the form.
Chad Stahelski attends ‘Wick Is Pain’ Screening At Beyond Fest at Aero Theatre on May 08, 2025 in Santa Monica, California. Photo: Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Lionsgate.
MF: Chad, was there any subject that you did not feel comfortable talking about or wanted to avoid?
CS: No. Look, there’s always a fine line to walk and that’s where Josh is great. You don’t want to be too much the a**hole, but you don’t want to be coated with sprinkles and rainbows. The whole thing, the goal of the documentary, at least from my point of view, is to show people there’s nothing glamorous about making a movie. The glamour happens after. That’s another day. That’s way down the road. It’s work. Is it satisfying work? Yeah, but it’s work. Now, do you consider it a job, or do you consider it your life? That’s up to you. I consider it my life. It’s my career, it’s where I choose to be. I like hard work. Movies are hard work. To make a great movie is hard work. Like in anything, if you devoted 18 hours of your day to your job right now, how do you think your relationship’s going to work out? Now, is that because of the job or is that because of you? That’s because of you. So, on one side, I don’t think doing ‘John Wick’ cost me a relationship. I don’t think it cost me friendships, so I don’t think that was the motivating thing. I can be a bit of an a**hole when I work, but you can’t separate them. So, you got to walk that line of, no, you don’t blame the work, you don’t blame the job. You blame how you are in the job or how you react to the work. The thing is, we can’t stop doing it. You can’t stop trying to be good. I can’t stop trying to be good. Because you’re having a bad day, you must work through it. Does it influence you? Is there a cost of it? Yes, but you chose that cost. I don’t blame anything. I was an a**hole. I made my mistakes. Name me a relationship where there isn’t antagonism or controversy or debate. Dave (Leitch) and I fight like cats and dogs. We had so many arguments. At the same time, I have a personal thing I’m going through. That’s not his problem, he has his career too. So, we had arguments. One of us has got to cover for the other one. There’s no one job or career that doesn’t have all this stuff. So, you don’t want that to be the focus of the film. It’s not about being dramatic like that, but you also don’t want to exclude it. So, I would say the bar for Wick’s pain is, what’s staying on brand for what we’re trying to say? Is it entertaining? Is it telling a bit of the truth? Is it trying to skew one thing or another? No, it’s just part of it. It’s life. It’s every other job. Making movies are tough. But it’s your choice. No one’s sending an invitation going, “You got to make a movie for us. We’re dying to have you.” You chose to do it and that’s a sacrifice you make. Now, you talk about looking back, is there anything I would’ve changed making the movie? Nope. I would take every mistake all over again because without making the mistakes, I wouldn’t be here. Now, if you asked me if there were a few life things I would’ve changed, yes, because I don’t think it would’ve affected my filmmaking. I think there are better ways to handle myself as a human being. That I would like another go at, but I can’t do that. So, yeah, live and learn.
Keanu Reeves in ‘John Wick’. Photo: David Lee for Lionsgate.
MF: Finally, Chad, what do you think is the legacy of the ‘John Wick’ franchise?
CS: I think Keanu says it on the documentary. He defines what it is. My favorite part of the documentary is the last two minutes with Keanu. I used to do a lot of climbing and that’s the big metaphor we always use. No one climbs for the view. You can’t just climb for the view. You climb because you love the climb. Talk to any climber in the world that loves to climb, ask them if it hurts. They look at you funny. “What are you talking about? Of course, it hurts.” You’re pulling yourself up in sub-zero weather. It hurts. What does that have to do with it? What does pain have to do with the result? Why else would you climb a mountain? Because you love it. It’s not about the pain or loving pain. It’s about the achievement. It’s about the satisfaction. It’s about the love that you put into the pain while you get to the top. So, when Keanu defines what pain is, pain is love. Tell me friendship without pain. Tell me love without pain. Tell me success without pain. Where is this rule that greatness and success don’t cost anything? The difference between us and everybody else out there is I wake up expecting the day to be absolutely filled with shit and obstacles and pain, and that you don’t stay in bed. Maybe it’s the people that wake up expecting the day to go smoothly that look at every little thing as painful because it’s an obstacle. You’re trying to achieve things. You’re trying to get the audience, hundreds of millions of people to see stuff that you’ve come up with. I mean, did you think that was going to be easy? We just wake up knowing it’s going to be painful and not letting that get in the way. So, when Keanu says all this stuff is pain, of course it is, but we don’t see pain as a negative. Pain is the necessary step you must take to get through it. It’s the veil of success that you want to go through.
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What is ‘Wick Is Pain’ about?
Witness the never-before-seen footage and true story behind the ‘John Wick’ phenomenon – from independent film to billion-dollar franchise.
Who appears in ‘Wick Is Pain’?
Chad Stahelski as Himself
Keanu Reeves as Himself
David Leitch as Himself
Basil Iwanyk as Himself
‘Wick is Pain’ will be available on digital May 9th.
List of Movies and TV Shows in the ‘John Wick’ Franchise:
(L to R) Director Chad Stahelski and Bill Skarsgård as Marquis in ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’. Photo Credit: Murray Close.
Preview:
‘John Wick’s Chad Stahelski is aboard to produce ‘The Professionals.’
Stuntman–turned–writer Madison Turner crafted the latest draft of the script.
It’ll follow hired killers who must figure out why they themselves are targets for murder.
If you’re a hired killer in a movie, chances are you’ll either A) try to retire, only for your past to catch up with you, B) discover a terrible conspiracy at the heart of your organization or government and have to go against your own, or C) somehow become a target yourself when you’re double-crossed somehow.
From the sounds of it, the script for ‘The Professionals’ will go the third route, but in a new way.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Lionsgate has nabbed the rights to the screenplay, which is being described as ‘Clue’ meets ‘John Wick.’ And the latter title is particularly telling, as ‘Wick’ maestro Chad Stahelski has agreed to produce the movie via his 87Eleven company.
(L to R) Chad Stahelski and Keanu Reeves speak onstage at Comic-Con at San Diego Convention Center on July 22, 2022 in San Diego, California. Photo by Jerod Harris/Getty Images for Lionsgate.
‘The Professionals’ –– nothing to do with the 1970s/1980s cop show from the UK (though like ‘The Avengers,’ it could eventually undergo a title shift if it makes it over there) –– follows a group of contract killers stranded in an English countryside estate when one of them is murdered and the remaining group has to solve the death.
The script originated with Hunter Perot, the grandson of late business executive and presidential candidate Ross Perot, and it has now in the hands of Madison Turner, a stuntman–turned–scribe who is the son of Tierre Turner, a stunt performer and coordinator with credits on movies such as ‘Training Day’ and is currently on TV series ‘9-1-1.’
On the writing front, Turner scripted ‘Adam,’ an action vehicle for Anthony Mackie set up at Netflix. And he previously landed his Blacklist script ‘The Liberators’ at Warner Bros. with Michael B. Jordan’s Outlier Society and Safehouse Pictures attached to produce.
Will Chad Stahelski direct ‘The Professionals’?
(L to R) Director Chad Stahelski, Laurence Fishburne as Bowery King, and Keanu Reeves as John Wick in ‘John Wick: Chapter 4.’ Photo Credit: Murray Close.
Though he’s clearly passionate about the script, Stahelski may not have time on his schedule to actually direct it. And he’s always been about giving others their chance to handle movies.
Right now, he’s gearing up to shoot the remake of ‘Highlander’ with Henry Cavill starring, and while nothing has been formally confirmed (besides Lionsgate mentioning it), he’s developing a fifth ‘John Wick’ outing.
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The ‘Wick’ world also takes up some of Stahelski’s producing time, since he’s the overseer of the franchise as a whole. Next up is the Ana de Armas–starring spin-off ‘Ballerina,’ directed by Len Wiseman and due in theaters on June 6th next year.
When would ‘The Professionals’ be on screen?
With no director in place, no casting and no shoot date, consider this one still in development limbo until cameras are rolling. If it casts up quickly and shoots soon, it could be with us before the end of 2025.
(L-R) Chad Stahelski and Keanu Reeves attend the Lionsgate CinemaCon presentation in support of ‘John Wick: Chapter Four’ at the Colosseum Theatre in Caesar’s Palace on April 28th, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo by Eric Charbonneau.
(L to R) Ian McShane as Winston, Keanu Reeves as John Wick, and director Chad Stahelski on the set of ‘John Wick: Chapter 4.’ Photo Credit: Murray Close.
Preview:
Keanu Reeves and Chad Stahelski are involved in a new ‘John Wick’ TV series.
‘John Wick: The High Table’ will continue the movies’ story.
‘The Old Man’ co-creator Robert Levin is running the show.
While Lionsgate’s bosses seem convinced that more ‘John Wick’ theatrical releases will be on the way, it appears that the main duo involved in the movies so far –– star Keanu Reeves and director/producer Chad Stahelski –– are focusing their immediate efforts on the latest small-screen incarnation of the story.
According to Deadline, Lionsgate now has Stahelski and Reeves involved in a new series called ‘John Wick: The High Table’, which the company will produce.
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What’s the story of ‘John Wick: The High Table’?
(L to R) Director Chad Stahelski and Bill Skarsgård as Marquis in ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’. Photo Credit: Murray Close.
The new series picks up directly after the end of ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’.
John Wick has left the world of the High Table in a tenuous position and a collection of new characters will look to make a name for themselves while some of the franchise stalwart characters remain committed to the old-world order.
A description of the new series promises to “combine new and old and thrust the ‘Wick’ universe into a new age.”
Who else is working on ‘John Wick: The High Table’?
Jeff Bridges in FX’s ‘The Old Man’. Photo: FX.
While Reeves right now is only attached to produce, with no plans to appear (after all, his character dies… probably in ‘Chapter Four’), Stahelski is on board to direct the first episode.
And the filmmaker’s involvement will be part of his big overall deal with Lionsgate, sealed in January, to oversee all aspects of the expanding Wick storytelling scene. He’ll produce via his 87Eleven Entertainment company.
On the creative front for the new show, Robert Levine, one of the co-creators of FX series ‘The Old Man’ (which certainly shared themes with ‘Wick’, is writing and running it.
What else is going on with the ‘John Wick’ movie universe?
Donnie Yen as Caine in ‘John Wick: Chapter 4.’ Photo Credit: Murray Close.
The new show is just the latest way that Lionsgate is looking to utilize the sprawling ‘Wick’-verse, and the next version to actually appear will be ‘Ballerina’, due on June 6th next, year. The movie, set between the events of the third and fourth movie, stars Ana de Armas as a young assassin out for revenge and has Len Wiseman directing.
Though Lionsgate is producing the show, it is currently being shopped to networks. Peacock, of course, picked up the previous spin-off, prequel series ‘The Continental’, but the new show is up for grabs. So expect plenty of interest from the likes of Netflix and more.
Keanu Reeves as John Wick in ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’. Photo Credit: Murray Close.
Other Movies and TV Shows in the ‘John Wick’ Franchise:
Donnie Yen as Caine in ‘John Wick: Chapter 4.’ Photo Credit: Murray Close.
Preview:
Donnie Yen is starring in a ‘John Wick’ spin-off.
His blind assassin character Caine is the focus.
Robert Askins wrote the script.
When you have an internationally known and respected action star in the latest entry of your popular franchise, it stands to reason that, should his character pop, you might end up going the spin-off route.
Such is the case with martial arts icon Donnie Yen, who graced ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ last year as Caine, a highly skilled, blind assassin. Yen is now the focus of another ‘Wick’ spin-off.
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What’s the story of Donnie Yen’s ‘John Wick’ spin-off?
(L to R) Keanu Reeves and Donnie Yen in ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’. Photo: Lionsgate.
Lionsgate has yet to confirm the specific storyline for the new movie, though we do know it’ll continue the arc established in ‘Chapter 4’, as Caine was freed from his obligations to the High Table, the organization that purports to control the activities of hitmen such as Keanu Reeves’ John Wick.
What we do know on the narrative front is that Robert Askins, a Tony-nominated playwright who has also worked on such series as ‘The Umbrella Academy’ and ‘The Son’, has been hired to write the script.
Here’s what Lionsgate’s Adam Fogelson had to say about the new development:
“From the moment Donnie Yen appeared on screen in ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’, he captivated audiences and created an authentic, emotional connection that left an inedible mark and had fans asking for more. The ‘John Wick’ universe that Chad, Basil, Erica, and Keanu have built offers a tapestry of fascinating characters brought to life by the most extraordinary performers, and we’re excited to have one of the world’s biggest superstars on board to continue this journey.”
And here’s what Yen himself said:
“The reason these films resonate so deeply is because, like myself, Chad, Basil, and Erica push themselves to create action, fights, and stunts that are not only thrilling, inventive and artistic, but also expressive of character, story, and emotion. Caine is an incredible character with a haunted past, and I am excited to return to the role.”
Who else will appear in the ‘John Wick’ spin-off?
Donnie Yen in ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’. Photo: Lionsgate.
No other casting was confirmed by the studio, though given that Reeves is reprising his role as Wick (albeit more as a cameo) in one of the other movie spin-offs, ‘Ballerina’ (due in theaters on June 6th, 2025), there’s still a possibility he could pop up in Yen’s film.
And this marks just the latest expansion of the ‘John Wick’ universe launched by the 2014 original movie –– in addition to ‘Ballerina’, we’ve already had TV prequel ‘The Continental: From the World of John Wick’, which streamed on Peacock and charted the earlier days of the titular hotel.
(L to R) Brad Pitt and Aaron Taylor-Johnson in Sony’s ‘Bullet Train.’ Photo: Scott Garfield.
Unlucky assassin Ladybug (Brad Pitt) is determined to do his job peacefully after one too many gigs gone off the rails. Fate, however, may have other plans, as Ladybug’s latest mission puts him on a collision course with lethal adversaries from around the globe—all with connected, yet conflicting, objectives—on the world’s fastest train.
When a team of mercenaries breaks into a wealthy family compound on Christmas Eve, taking everyone inside hostage, the team isn’t prepared for a surprise combatant: Santa Claus (David Harbour) is on the grounds, and he’s about to show why this Nick is no saint.
(L to R) Jason Statham and Dwayne Johnson in ‘Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw.’ Photo: Universal Pictures.
Ever since US Diplomatic Security Service Agent Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) and lawless outcast Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham) first faced off, they just have traded smack talk and body blows. But when cyber-genetically enhanced anarchist Brixton’s ruthless actions threaten the future of humanity, they join forces to defeat him.
Bob Odenkirk in ‘Nobody.’ Photo: Universal Pictures.
Hutch Mansell (Bob Odenkirk), is an underestimated and overlooked dad and husband, taking life’™s indignities on the chin and never pushing back. A nobody. When two thieves break into his suburban home one night, Hutch declines to defend himself or his family, hoping to prevent serious violence. His teenage son, Blake (Gage Munroe), is disappointed in him and his wife, Becca (Connie Nielsen), seems to pull only further away. The aftermath of the incident strikes a match to Hutch’s long-simmering rage, triggering dormant instincts and propelling him on a brutal path that will surface dark secrets and lethal skills. In a barrage of fists, gunfire and squealing tires, Hutch must save his family from a dangerous adversary (Alexey Serebryakov) and ensure that he will never be underestimated as a nobody again.
An undercover MI6 agent (Charlize Theron) is sent to Berlin during the Cold War to investigate the murder of a fellow agent and recover a missing list of double agents.
He’s a stuntman (Ryan Gosling), and like everyone in the stunt community, he gets blown up, shot, crashed, thrown through windows and dropped from the highest of heights, all for our entertainment. And now, fresh off an almost career-ending accident, this working-class hero has to track down a missing movie star (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), solve a conspiracy and try to win back the love of his life (Emily Blunt) while still doing his day job. What could possibly go right?
