Back in February, filmmakersChad StahelskiandDavid Leitchrevealed that they are developing a sequel to their sleeper hitJohn Wick. The original action-thriller didn’t exactly set the box office on fire, earning just $78.7 million worldwide from a $20 million budget, but it was a big hit with critics, with an 85% “Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes. In May, Lionsgate confirmed thatJohn Wick 2is happening, withKeanu Reevesset to return as the title character, with writer-directorsDavid LeitchandChad Stahelskiset to return, along with their co-writerDerek Kolstad. Lionsgate still hasn’t set a release date for thesequelyet, but today, the production company Thunder Road Films announced in a press release for a different project entitledOutlaws Inc., courtesy of Rama Screen, the production will begin this fall. While no story details have been given yet,David LeitchandChad Stahelskiteased earlier this year that they have plenty of ideas for the follow-up.
“We’re in development right now. We have ideas for days and without blinking twice we know we can outdo the action from the original. It’s the matter of story and how much you like the character. That’s always the most important. If there’s great action but you have a character that no one likes and doesn’t have charisma you’re not going to watch it. Look at any great action star, whether it’sHarrison FordorLiam NeesonorRobert Downey Jr., pick a name, you love the guy first. Good action, bad action, you just love them in action. So we want to make sure we have a story and a character that everybody loves and then we’ll dress it with action that we promise will be awesome.”
It isn’t known yet ifJohn Wickco-starsAdrianne Palicki, 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.
Ever sinceJohn Wickhit theaters, directorsChad StahelskiandDavid Leitchhave become hot commodities in Hollywood. 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.
Keanu Reevesalso has a busy slate as well. The actor will next be seen inEli Roth’s new thrillerKnock, Knock, arriving in theaters October 9. He is also starring inThe Neon DemonandThe Panopticon, along with the long-awaitedBill & Ted 3, which hasn’t startedproductionyet. Are you looking forward to seeing how the story will move forward inJohn Wick 2?
