John Wick Directors Fought to Keep Dog Death in Action Movie

John Wick Directors Fought to Keep Dog Death in Action Movie

As a gamer with a soft spot for action-packed movies, I can wholeheartedly appreciate the tenacity and vision of directors Chad Stahelski and David Leitch when it comes to the iconic John Wick dog death scene. Having grown up on a diet of genre films myself, I’ve come to understand that those hard-boiled moments are what truly make memorable scenes.


In the world of gaming, stepping back into the shoes of John Wick wasn’t just about picking up where I left off as a retired assassin. It was about revisiting a pivotal moment in the first game – the cruel taking away of my beloved pup. This scene wasn’t just handed to us on a silver platter; it was a battle we had to win to ensure its inclusion.

In an interview with Business Insider, directors Chad Stahelski and David Leitch (who was not credited but co-directed) shared that the film studios had some reservations about including the dog’s death scene, viewing it as potentially being considered “unlucky.

What did the John Wick directors say about the dog death scene?

‘It’s unlucky.’, ‘It’s a bad vibe.’, ‘This is like Old Yeller, you can’t go ahead with this!’. He argued, ‘Showing such violent acts on screen may turn off the audience, but isn’t killing a dog just a small part of it? What about the graphic depiction of multiple human deaths? Will they be able to stomach that?’

“It seems they failed to grasp that our film was a genre piece. As avid genre enthusiasts, we’re well aware that such intense scenes are what create lasting memories in these types of movies.

John Wick director Chad Stahelski commented that during the filming of this particular scene, the two actors seemed incredibly inexperienced. Yet, he praises Keanu Reeves for persistently advocating for that specific moment, ultimately leading to a resolution of the disagreement.

On that particular day, Keanu Reeves was acting with a plush toy dog while crying, looking quite battered and disheveled in his pajamas. The crew watching from the monitors probably thought, ‘This isn’t working; these first-time directors have made a terrible decision.’ However, for the following two weeks, suggestions were made to film an alternate ending where it was revealed that the dog wasn’t dead. But Keanu Reeves and Basil, the producers, defended their vision. Eventually, the investors grew tired and said, ‘Forget it, let’s see what these people can do.’

Undeniably, history shows that the filmmakers made a wise decision by including the scene of Wick’s dog’s death. This scene not only intensifies the emotional impact of the movie, but also creates a strong bond between the audience and Wick.

The first film of John Wick premiered as far back as 2014, yet it’s scheduled for a new theater release this year, featuring special showings on the 3rd and 6th of November specifically.

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2024-10-23 01:10