The John Wick director explains why a shot from the first film is the most important in the franchise

John Wick Director David Leitch explains why a shot from the film is one of the most important in the franchise. The 2014 debut film in the successful action series features Leitch as an uncredited co-director alongside the aforementioned Chad Stahelski, who would direct the three subsequent sequels alone. However, Leitch remained an executive producer John Wick Films that follow Keanu Reeves' Wick as he fights against other assassins and the all-powerful High Table.

In a recent video for CineFix – IGN Movies and TV, Leitch is asked to choose his favorite shot from the first moment John Wickand he selects the scene in which the title character meets his new puppy for the first time.

This scene takes place just before the puppy's tragic death, which is essentially the catalyst for the events of the entire series. According to Leitch, The scene is important because it fleshes out Wick's emotional motivations. Check out the filmmaker's commentary below:

“There are so many great shots in the first John Wick. What I find most impressive is how Keanu pulls the dog out of the dog crate. It's kind of the emotional fuel for the entire series. It represents Helen, his wife and his humanity and that if the dog is killed they will not allow him to keep his humanity.

“I think that was also a provocation in a film. We were told so many times by the studio and by many film lovers that they said, 'You can't kill the dog. It is going to be.' Curse the movie.' I think we really knew in our hearts that it was the emotional fuel we needed for this character and what we wanted to do on the other side.

“I think this is truly one of the most important shots in the John Wick series.”

The death of John Wick's puppy was shocking but necessary

While humans are generally fair game in action films, depicting animal deaths on screen has always been risky as it tends to alienate audiences. This is especially true if the animal in question is an adorable puppy. At the time, killing Wick's puppies was a bold decision that could have easily backfired, but ultimately it was the right decision for the story.

Helen, John's late wife, leaves him the puppy after her death so that he is not alone, and the animal, as Leitch explains, symbolizes the assassin's humanity. Wick is retired and his violent life appears to be over at the beginning of the story. However, when the puppy is killed, Wick reverts to his old violent self and destroys numerous enemies in his quest for revenge.

While the puppy's death is undoubtedly very sad, it still does John Wick The franchise's high kill count is acceptable. The death immediately signifies that the audience is sympathetic to Wick's merciless killing, and it immediately makes the character, who by all accounts has led a very difficult life of crime, someone worth rooting for. Fortunately, later John Wick Movies have refrained from killing more dogs.

Source: CineFix – IGN Movies and TV

John Wick

“John Wick” is the first part of the action thriller series directed by Chad Stahelski and starring Keanu Reeves. Retired hitman John is brought back to the field when the dog his recently departed life left him is murdered. Filled with rage and armed with unparalleled fighting skills, John sets out to find those responsible for the violence and destroys anyone who dares cross his path, causing panic throughout the criminal underworld.

director

David Leitch, Chad Stahelski

Release date

October 22, 2014

Studio(s)

Thunder Road Pictures, 87Eleven Productions

Sales partner

Summit entertainment

writer

Derek Kolstad

Duration

101 minutes

budget

20-30 million dollars

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