Director Chad Stahelski worked with Keanu Reeves on the MATRIX (1999) as a stunt coordinator for that film.  When screenwriter Derek Kolstad wrote the screenplay for a film about a bounty hunter that included crazy action set pieces, Stahelski thought of Reeves to play the lead role.  That film became JOHN WICK (2014) and the beginning of an iconic character and franchise.

John Wick, who’s wife died from illness, retires from bounty hunting to try to deal with his loss.  When a beagle puppy arrives as a gift from his late wife, he begins to find peace in his life.  However, when robbers break in and take everything that’s left in his world, he returns to his prior life, searching for revenge and vengeance and once more find peace in this crazy world.

Keanu Reeves returned to superstardom after being cast in the film.  The movie also stars Willem Dafoe, John Leuizamo, Ian McShane, Alfie Allen, and Michael Nyqvist.  JOHN WICK reviewed fantastic reviews and became a surprising money maker leading to the movie becoming a franchise.  A Patreon movie pick, Dark Discussions takes a look at the film that started it all and gives their thoughts.