Michael B. Jordan recently disclosed that anime influenced the fight scenes in Creed III. Similarly, the John Wick franchise also draws inspiration from Japanese cartoons. The impact of Japanese cinema on Western action movies is not a novel occurrence but has become more pronounced with the rise in popularity of anime. This is evident in films and series that feature intense fighting, such as the Creed and John Wick franchises.
Keanu Reeves, the lead actor in John Wick, recently spoke to Total Film (via CBR) about the inspiration behind the franchise that is set to release its fourth installment.
“Japanese anime and Japanese filmmaking have definitely been something I’ve loved and have been influenced by. And bushido is definitely a theme in our film – you know, the code of the samurai – so, from the outside, it feels like a great fit, the idea of honor and sacrifice. There’s definitely a strong Japanese influence.”
Reeves Hints at ‘Next Level’ Car Chase in ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’
In his Total Film interview, Keanu Reeves spoke about a high-octane car chase scene in John Wick: Chapter 4 and expressed confidence that it would captivate the audience. He stated that the film was the toughest physical challenge in his career so far, and he was trained to have a “toolbox” of skills for the role. He said that the car-driving was taken to a new level, with stunts such as 180s, reverse-into-forward 270s, and drifting, which he found thrilling to learn and perform.
John Wick: Chapter 4 is set to release in March and features a star-studded cast including Reeves, Lance Reddick, Ian McShane, Rina Sawayama, Shamier Anderson, Bill Skarsgard, Clancy Brown, Hiroyuki Sanada, and Donnie Yen. Directed by Chad Stahelski and co-written by Shay Hatten and Michael Finch, the film is produced by Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee, and Stahelski with executive producers being Reeves and Louise Rosner.