'He goes full throttle the whole way': John Wick featurette reveals how Keanu Reeves trained in 'gun fu' to become a deadly assassin
He played the super-heroic and extremely combat capable Neo in the Matrix films.
But that doesn't mean Keanu Reeves didn't need some extra pointers when he was training for his latest actioner John Wick: Chapter 2.
A featurette posted on Thursday gave fans a behind-the-scenes look at how the talented actor prepared for the immensely physical role.
A lot of work: A featurette posted on Thursday gave fans a behind-the-scenes look at how Keanu Reeves, 52, prepared for the immensely physical role of John Wick: Chapter 2
Over some action scenes from the film, Keanu, 52, speaks about how 'the tone of the action is such a great part of John Wick,' adding that the series contains 'longer takes, complexity, footwork,' than many other action movies.
'So as I put the suit back on, I went back into training,' he says, over footage of him practicing fighting two men using mixed martial arts.
The video then cuts to Chad Stahelski, 48, who directed both John Wick and now the sequel.
'Whatever it is, he embraces it wholeheartedly,' gushes Chad about his star, 'he just goes full throttle the whole way.'
Clearly excited: Over some action scenes from the film, Keanu, 52, speaks about how 'the tone of the action is such a great part of John Wick,' adding that the series contains 'longer takes, complexity, footwork,' than many other action movies
Tough stuff: 'So as I put the suit back on, I went back into training,' he says, over footage of him practicing fighting two men using mixed martial arts
A little of everything: Keanu then cuts back in with, 'cars, guns, knives, just basic stuff,' when describing the skills he had to learn
Keanu then cuts back in with, 'cars, guns, knives, just basic stuff,' when describing the skills he had to learn.
Some candid shots of him practicing tactical maneuvers at a firing range follows, as does a montage of practicing different martial arts.
Chad then reveals that the particular mix of fighting styles amounts to a new type called 'gun fu,' which is of course a portmanteau of 'gun' and 'kung fu.'
Confident: 'Whatever it is, he embraces it wholeheartedly,' gushes Chad about his star, 'he just goes full throttle the whole way'
Fire! Some candid shots of him practicing tactical maneuvers at a firing range follows, as does a montage of practicing different martial arts
Right turn! He also practiced precision driving skills
He then confirms that realism was very important to the production: 'we wanted the audience to watch our lead cast, who actually went through the training to do the action itself.'
Later, rapper Common also chimes in, as he plays what looks to be a rival in the upcoming sequel.
'The stunt team is built on mastery,' he says, before clarifying 'they want A plus level work,' from the performers.
John Wick: Episode 2 is set for a February 10th release.
Special sauce: Chad then reveals that the particular mix of fighting styles amounts to a new type called 'gun fu,' which is of course a portmanteau of 'gun' and 'kung fu'
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