THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE KILLED HIS DOG

A collection of interviews, compiled, organized, and contextualized by two Hollywood insiders, on the John Wick series.

According to some critics and observers, the John Wick movies helped reinvigorate the action genre, with a unique blend of kinetic action, dark humor, and textured characters. In the latest collaboration by Gross and Altman, similarly structured to their books on Star Wars, Star Trek, and other franchises, many contributors refer to Wick’s forebears within the genre while acknowledging its innovative approach in narrative and visuals. Significantly, the movie was made with an indie sensibility even though Keanu Reeves is one of Hollywood’s biggest stars. He had previously worked with Chad Stahelski, who co-directed the films: Stahelski had been Reeves’ stunt double in the Matrix franchise before opting for a different role. The trigger event of the story was the element that set the first installment apart from the usual revenge-driven fare. The spoiled son of a crime boss, wanting to steal Wick’s car, callously kills a puppy given to Wick by his wife, who had recently died. Wick, a former assassin, digs up his guns to even the score, a journey that entails balletic fight scenes and a long trail of bodies. But this means Wick is drawn back into the world of blood, debts, and secrets, which plays out over the next two movies (at least one more is on the way). The writers, directors, and actors explain how the extended narrative came together and how the astonishing action sequences were designed and executed. Even after the success of the first movie, Stahelski was aware that they were traveling in dangerous, uncharted territory, but they were willing to take some risky turns that, fortunately, led to the right place. Nevertheless, it would not have succeeded without Reeves’ capacity to give Wick depth and meaning.

A layered closeup look at an explosive series from the people involved in the creation.