John Wick: Chapter 4's Keanu Reeves has revealed that he likes all of his movie fight styles in their own unique ways.
During a Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything) Q&A, Reeves was asked whether he favored learning kung-fu or jiu-jitsu while preparing for The Matrix and John Wick franchises, respectively. "Nothing can ever compare to the kung fu training from The Matrix because it was so unique and my first time," he replied, though Reeves also admitted, "the jiu jitsu in John Wick being integrated with judo and gunfights can never be touched in its own way." This style of action choreography -- known professionally as "gun-fu" -- was subsequently dubbed "Pew Pewtsu" by another user in the Reddit thread.
John Wick's Debt to The Matrix
Like Reeves -- who returned as Matrix protagonist Neo for 2021's The Matrix Resurrections -- longtime John Wick director Chad Stahelski worked on the original Matrix films, specifically as Reeves' stunt double. In a recent interview, Stahelski confirmed that their Wick films owe a debt of gratitude to The Matrix and directors Lana and Lillly Wachowski. "No one was under any delusion that Matrix wasn't going to be pretty awesome," Stahelski said. "Then David Leitch [co-director of the first Wick film] and I stayed on for V for Vendetta and Speed Racer, so we pretty much got a decade of Wachowski film school. The John Wicks are definitely children of The Matrix."
Besides the presence of its stuntmen-turned-filmmakers, the John Wick movies feature multiple returning Matrix actors in supporting roles. Morpheus actor Laurence Fishburne has appeared in the franchise since John Wick: Chapter 2 as Wick's ally the Bowery King, while Randall Duk Kim, who played The Matrix Reloaded's Keymaker, cameoed in John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum. While no Matrix stars were announced for Chapter 4, Ian McShane and Lance Reddick will reprise their longtime Wick roles as Continental Hotel owner Winston and concierge Charon.
According to reports, John Wick: Chapter 4 will be the longest John Wick film yet at 2 hours and 49 minutes. The fourquel sees Wick travel to Paris, France in hopes of convincing the High Table -- who run Wick's mysterious underground assassin society -- to remove the bounty placed on his head during the events of Parabellum. Box office reports also suggest that Chapter 4's opening weekend will make between $60-70 million domestically, beating Parabellum's 2019 record. On top of the mainline Wick films, distributor Lionsgate is making two spinoffs: a 1970s-era Winston TV prequel called The Continental. Moreover, production continues on the Ana de Armas-starring theatrical revenge thriller Ballerina, which takes place between the events of Chapter 3 – Parabellum and Chapter 4.
John Wick: Chapter 4 opens in theaters on March 24, 2023
Source: Reddit