Warning: SPOILERS lie forward for John Wick: Chapter 4!As audiences are reeling from the emotional finale, director Chad Stahelski reveals that John Wick: Chapter 4‘s ending was almost way more mysterious. Keanu Reeves’ eponymous murderer lastly discovered a path to being freed from the Excessive Desk by difficult Invoice Skarsgård’s Marquis de Gramont to a duel, solely to be pitted towards outdated buddy Caine. After being shot thrice, Wick outsmarted the Marquis as he stepped in to complete the job, although collapses on the steps of the Sacré-Cœur and is seemingly buried subsequent to his spouse Helen again in New York.
The Hollywood Reporter not too long ago caught up with Chad Stahelski for a spoiler-filled break down of the newly launched John Wick: Chapter 4. Whereas exploring the film’s surprising ending, the director revealed that the staff truly shot an alternate ending, however that after check screenings, he and Reeves elected to retain their authentic plan, feeling it proved way more emotional. See what Stahelski defined beneath:
However to be trustworthy with you, it was a bit of sketchy throughout check screenings. I haven’t instructed too many individuals this, however we did further pictures and shot a special ending. It wasn’t on the duel, however we did reveal that John Wick … There was a special method to do [the funeral scene], and we needed it to be a bit of bit extra mysterious. That’s why you see the pet lookup on the finish [during the funeral scene].
So there was one other factor that we examined, and we had been open to testing each [endings] as a result of Keanu and I simply needed to make a great film. We simply needed to really feel what was most satisfying. So we did one check screening, and the viewers revolted fairly laborious about [the new ending shot during additional photography]. So we thought that we nailed it the primary time, and to the studio’s credit score, they didn’t even blink. That night time, actually within the theater, all of us acquired it. All of us noticed the reactions, and all of us high-fived one another and mentioned, “We now have a great film.”
So Lionsgate mentioned, “Let’s go along with the ending that you just guys really feel strongest about,” however initially, they had been like, “What the f–k?” Then, after they noticed how we did it and the way the film got here collectively, individuals acquired behind it as a result of it chokes you up on the finish.
How John Wick 4’s Alternate Ending Would’ve Modified The Film
Although Stahelski does not explicitly verify it, his dialogue of John Wick: Chapter 4‘s ending seemingly signifies it might’ve included a tease of Reeves’ survival moderately than killing off the already iconic character. This could’ve been an comprehensible route contemplating the constant success the John Wick franchise has loved throughout its 4 movies, in addition to the preliminary plans for John Wick 5 to have been filmed back-to-back with its predecessor, solely to be scrapped because of Stahelski’s inventive reluctance.
Regardless of having shelved these plans, Stahelski has not too long ago indicated that John Wick 5 may doubtlessly transfer ahead sooner or later, ought to he and Reeves determine a great story to convey the character again. With John Wick: Chapter 4 already setting new information on the field workplace for the franchise and scoring its finest critiques but, it does appear unlikely Lionsgate would need to let it relaxation for good. Nonetheless, with the Ana de Armas-led spinoff Ballerina and The Continental prequel collection releasing quickly, Reeves and Stahelski can have a while to relaxation and decide in the event that they need to come again.
Finally, whereas many have fallen in love with Reeves’ character over the previous decade, most are prone to agree with him and Stahelski that John Wick: Chapter 4‘s present ending was the precise name. Although an motion movie at its coronary heart, the movie explored the themes of penalties and saying goodbye, making Wick’s destiny an emotional one as he nonetheless proved victorious in his quest for peace, even when he did not make it out alive.
Supply: THR