Bruce Willis was almost John Wick, reveals producer

Bruce Willis was originally considered to interpret John Wickrevealed the co-director and producer David Leitch in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. With the film completing 10 years since its release in 2014, Leitch looked back at the development process and casting changes.

The film, which premiered on October 24, 2014, brought Keanu Reeves as the protagonist, achieving moderate box office success and critical acclaim. The film spawned three sequels, a prequel TV series called The Continental and an upcoming spin-off, Ballerina.

Leitch and co-director Chad Stahelskiwho would later direct the John Wick sequels himself, previously worked as action choreographers on the films Matrixwhere they met Reeves. The script for John Wick came to the duo through Kelly McCormickLeitch’s wife and the team’s manager at the time.

It was the first time we read it, and I think Bruce Willis was attached to the project at that time,”said Leitch.

With Willis out of the project, Leitch and Stahelski invited Reeves, their co-star Matrixfor the paper. “We went back to Keanu and said, ‘It’s a small project for us, but what do you think we do it all?’”Leitch recalled. “He said, ‘Yes, please. How do we make this happen?’”

The interview also revealed the challenges of completing the film, including pay cuts and disputes over the look of Reeves’ character. Another curious fact was the help of Eva Longoriawhich contributed US$6 million to finalize the financing.

An anime prequel film about John WickStahelski confirmed in October.

We are deeply involved in the development of an anime feature about John Wick. It’s a prequel to the films, which is amazing.