Back in May, Lionsgate confirmed that they are moving forward withJohn Wick 2, with originalJohn WickdirectorsChad StahelskiandDavid Leitchconfirmed to return,Derek Kolstadcoming back to write the script andKeanu Reevesreprising the title character. While bothChad StahelskiandDavid LeitchdirectedJohn Wick,David Leitchwent uncredited. After the success of the original movie, the filmmakers have been attached and/or rumored for a number of different projects. Today we have a new report fromCollider, who have confirmed from Lionsgate thatChad Stahelskiwill direct the sequel on his own, withDavid Leitchserving as an executive producer and circling other projects to direct by himself.
This report comes just two days after production company Thunder Road confirmed that production onJohn Wick 2begins sometime this fall, although a release date hasn’t been handed out for thesequelquite yet. The site wouldn’t say what projectsDavid Leitchis eyeing to direct on his own, but it’s possible that he may take on one of the numerous projects that have reportedly been offered to the directorial team. Regardless of which project he chooses, there is no doubt that both of these filmmakers are being sought after by the major studios.
In January, we reported the filmmakers were in early talks with Universal Pictures to direct thecomic bookadaptationCowboy Ninja Viking, which hasChris Prattattached to star. They are also attached to another comic book project,Bloodshot, which is being planned as the first in a five-movie series. Most recently, we reported in May that they will directThe Coldest City, a newspy thrillerwhich hasCharlize Theronattached to star.
It isn’t known yet ifJohn Wickco-starsAdrianne Palicki,Willem Dafoe, Bridget Moynahan,Jason Isaacs, Alfie Allen,Lance Reddick,Kevin Nashand Dean Winters will return forJohn Wick 2. Thunder Road’sBasil Iwanyk, who produced the originalJohn Wick, is returning to produce. If production does begin soon, it could be possible forJohn Wick 2to hit theaters in late 2016, but we don’t know for sure.
Before they directedJohn Wick,Chad StahelskiandDavid Leitchmade names for themselves as stunt performers and coordinators, running their own company called87Eleven.Chad Stahelskistarted his career in stunts by doubling forKeanu Reeveshimself inPoint Break,The Matrix,Constantineand many more, working alongsideDavid Leitch. The filmmakers have also served as second unit directors on a number of massive Hollywood productions such asThe WolverineandThe Hunger Games: Catching Fire, withDavid Leitchserving as the second unit director on a pair of upcoming sequels,Captain America: Civil WarandTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2, both arriving next year.
