John Wick: Chapter 4 Director Chad Stahelski Breaks Down the Incredible Stunts & That Ending

[Editor's Note: The following contains spoilers for John Wick: Chapter 4]
Stuntman-turned-director, Chad Stahelski, was always the right person to partner with Keanu Reeves on a larger-than-life franchise like John Wick. Between his time spent understanding the mechanics and limits a human body can be put through, and his passion for all things martial arts and cinema, it’s no wonder John Wick: Chapter 4 was a mash-up of everything that makes action films so epic. For nearly a decade, Reeves’ has played the titular assassin with a chip on his shoulder, a debt needing to be collected, and in this fourth and possibly-final entry, everything comes to a satisfying conclusion. In what Stahelski calls a “Greek myth”-type tale in his interview with Collider’s Steve Weintraub, the mythos of Wick finds its poetic culmination.
During their discussion, which you can watch in the video above or read below, Stahelski tells all. He breaks down how he and Reeves brainstormed each installment over whiskey, how the two of them schemed up the unbelievable stunts that somehow always top the movie before. It’s clear the way that Stahelski effortlessly rattles off a number of influences that his passion for cinema goes beyond trying to top his own limit-pushing stunts, and he shares with us why Wick went on an odyssey in Chapter 4. The director reveals where Bill Skarsgård’s The Marquis originated, and whose idea it was to have John Wick take the bullet, as well as why it needed to happen.
If, like us, you always need more after that end-credit scene, Stahelski breaks that down, as well, with the concept behind every detail. In a stream of consciousness, he takes us through the most difficult stunts throughout the entirety of the franchise, from the Arc de Triomphe to Halle Berry’s dogs in John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum, how his excellent stunt team pulls off falling down the steps of the Sacré Coeur, with no CGI, and what could be next in the Wickiverse, as well as for him as a director. And if you’re still stuck on that ending, asking yourself, is John Wick actually dead? He answers that, too.
#ChadStahelski #JohnWick4 #JohnWickChapter4
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[@stevenm835]

just wanted to say that this is one the best, most professional interviews I have ever seen. This interviewer should be proud of his work - wonderful questions paired with allowing the subject to talk uninterrupted made this a fantastic watch. thank you.

[@williamneal9076]

Both were there with the A game as it were.

[@wisdomtales4739]

This interview is just pure GOLD!!!!

[@brandonso]

I was so stunned by this movie I saw it 4 times. It is the best of the series by far. Donnie Yen was fantastic and worthy of being John's final adversary. Honestly this is the most beautiful way to end the John Wick saga.

[@wisdomtales4739]

I thought I would never watch any movie second time in theaters. With John Wick 4, the streak got broken. The number right now stands at 10.

[@Victory-in-YAHUSHA]

I watched it again today. An incredible film! I watched Chapter 3 either twice or three times in theaters.

[@David98004]

I'm at 4 too

[@Synchronicitizen]

If JW4 is the end of this enjoyable franchise I can live with that. It does seem like the perfect ending. Tied up in a bow. So many of us will miss John Wick. John Wick has gone through his stages of grief, now the members of the audience must begin their steps in this unexpected grieving process. Thank you Chad. Thank you Keanu.

[@skewsme7650]

Just casually name-drops Wong Kar Wai during the conversation, LITERALLY Chad move.

[@doublep1980]

The guy needs to direct a James Bond movie in the future, just listening to his "Thunderball"-style underwater action sequence & snow mobile ideas makes me giddy. That´s the type of oldschool-007 shit that the Craig movies were missing.

[@DungarooAdventures]

This is probably the most revealing interview Chad has given - he must like you!

[@vokasimid5330]

They're both professional nerds

[@fafofafin]

Vincent is incredible. That stair scene, after so many incredible scenes, is mind blowing.

[@nedslass3032]

Such an enthusiastic guy, I'm sure John Wick franchise is in good hand.

[@conorbrosnahan5464]

I could listen to Chad chat Wick for days

[@swa6441]

Remember folks this is action masterclass you are watching for free✨ Chad is such a kind generous filmmaker to provide us with these insight❤

[@ethanholgate2512]

He'll definitely do one of them one day

[@idarkweb]

We need more John wick movies ❤

[@chasehedges6775]

Agreed.

[@ethanholgate2512]

F-ing A

[@MatthiasKrumm]

Seriously one of the best interviews I watched in a loooong time! Thanks for that Mr. Stahelski and Collider!

[@vokasimid5330]

Masterclass in film journalism and filmmaking

[@Sleepy_Spaghetti]

The action is how they tell the story!

[@eziomorte3380]

When I first saw the interviewer I was like, ok lets laugh with the questions BUT this is a VERY good interview, spot on questions, and made him talk about a wick video game plus the ghost of tsushima adaptation! Good job!

[@esk8er900]

It’s awesome to see a director who’s finally receiving the attention seal so candidly & excitedly about the process & tribulations of crafting such a series in such a genuine way while taking every opportunity to credit those involved. Cheers Chad (& David) you had me at “we gotta get you some kibble”!!

[@ECfuckingW22]

This wins The best interview hands Down Man, We Really Want that game for real .... thank you for asking him man🙏

[@bernienikora9336]

I love this guy. What a great interview. He deserves an oscar. Kia ora (hi) from New Zealand⚘❤👏👏👍

[@callmezoran]

This is godd*amn the finest interview ever conducted with Chad Stahelski!

[@QuincyKane]

Such a great interview! This is like a masterclass in directing!

[@nadiachahin7793]

UNFORGETABLE ;EXTRAORDINARY AND MASTERPIECE MOVIE ❤❤❤👏👏👏👏

[@judycesternino]

I love you Chad❤️

[@theoriginalskinsey]

I've never had a crush on a director before 😍

[@wewyllenium]

Hats off to the guy who let the dog pee on his face! They're really giving it all for our entertainment!

[@rudreshkalgutkar]

What an absolutely brilliant interview, Chad really opened everything by thread and props to the interviewer for asking brilliant questions and letting him speak. Coming to the Ending it's bittersweet but John Wick needs to die to find his peace and solace only issue is high table plot still remains wide open and Winston and Bowry King are pretty underutilized. I still think if Keanu would have been little younger they would have done one more completely tied all the ends but nonetheless this movie was perfect tribute to John Wick.

[@agraciotti]

Great interview

[@MrAngryTwinkie]

Great interview!

[@cuzzifitwasnotthere]

Very good interview thanks!

[@lucycruz6528]

To Chad Stahelski: "John Wick Must Never Die"..Luv from Asia💋

[@rickdeckard9810]

Would love to see a collaboration between Stahelski and Sam Hargrave from Extraction films, that would be amazing.

[@ukab1]

Love this interview.

[@krono5el]

No fucking way Stahelski is working on Rainbow Six, wow this is some of the most awesome news for me im a huge rainbow fan since the year of the Matrix : D

[@master-of-mind5881]

Are you really a kryptonian?

[@maanu8207]

waited sooooooooo long for this

[@maneeshahooja]

Well done!

[@RoninJoegenji0085]

This is amazing 👏

[@girleniamariagomesdemoura6519]

Esse diretor é muito bom mesmo e sua equipe também 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🌹🌹

[@barbiefornier6546]

🌏🎬 ❤️ Director Chad Stahelski you are amazing in so many levels❗️Shine on ☆

[@andreagschlol8847]

Chad Stahelsky is very symphatic.

[@kungfuscubabape953]

Love love john wick

[@enthnd03]

Highlander? 👀🙏👀👀👀🙏

[@yasm1376]

Kay, I'm gonna go watch this film again. ❤️❤️

[@simonfeilder]

Really great insight 🤓

[@jacobharris954]

Paris stairway scene has to be a meme if internet does not do that I will be disappointed

[@user-lm9cn6ep1l]

Beautiful❤❤

[@eliveizajever9867]

Great!

[@carlmurphy2416]

Great interview, just my opinion regarding a potential JW game - it does not need to open world! A linear level based game with amazing combat is what I'd like more. I don't need to see JW getting from A to B, I just need to see him at B, headshotting and judo throwing people down stairwells.

[@neaituppi7306]

I like the movies immensely, and have seen them several times. But it doesn't bother me at all, that John Wick died. Or if they ever make beyond 4. Because I can see that, where he had to, because it would have never stopped, that underworld was never going to stop trying to get him back in.

[@libraryofregis1555]

Can’t wait for the Ghost Of Tsushima movie. Chad is going to smash it. Especially the Akira Kosemura aesthetics with how beautifully John Wick 4 was shot. And of course the Samurai and Shinobi story is right up his street. Can’t wait for that one.

[@EstelaMarisCorreaLima-zy3xu]

Breathtaking! In addition to beautiful landscapes, the film has epic and beautiful scenarios, with a lot of action from beginning to end. High quality scenery provides a light show, producing breathtaking scenes. A true work of art.❤️ There are 12 artists working, an incredible script, production and direction in 9 countries with indescribable scenes and the team super tuned like a beautiful orchestra❤️ John Wick4 ❤️ Just wonderful! Go see and feel the emotion! Which woman wouldn't want to be Helen from John Wick??? His determination to conquer his freedom and his thirst for justice takes our breath away and anyone who loves John Wick's freedom and courage 😍😍😍😏 Just watching the trailers makes our hearts race... In the trailers we have just an idea of ​​the great show that our eyes will witness from the great production of the John Wick team and its great director Chad Stahelski and his precious team who dedicated themselves 100% and trained tirelessly to guarantee us a great show of action and emotion.😍😍😍

[@JOHNWICKDARKK]

John wick - He Grieved John wick 2- He Raged John wick 3- He Bargained John wick 4- He Accepted John wick 5- He Resurrected

[@hagerabass2977]

He is have agood adieas... Soooo goood chad alove it 😍❤️

[@margaretlong6662]

Like this!

[@bosswray54]

JW4 was a great end. We need a JW origin/prequel. Show his beginnings, how his mystique was built, meeting his future wife, the impossible task that got him out and ending with the puppy delivery. That would be dope!!!

[@sidninewton5377]

John wick is Alive !

[@Brendissimo1]

Great interview, you really let him talk without cutting him off and he has a lot of interesting things to say. Let me just say, though, that if we get a John Wick video game, open world is NOT the way to go. A John Wick game should be closer to the Hitman series - open levels with immaculately crafted design, coupled with amazing animations and combat system. We know John can be stealthy when he wants to so it could be a stealth action game but maybe with more emphasis on the action. But procedural content would not work here. Fans will want to see that same high quality design and sense of place in the level design.

[@williamneal9076]

SANDMAN SLIM!!! Bring IT!!!

[@user-qm3rp2lb4w]

Lindo❤

[@wendyflores1092]

10:08... So, the ambivalent ending was to calm down the executives, that I believe more than the "artistic choice" 😅😅😅😅😅

[@slamtilt01]

They should do a High Table trilogy. Currently we see the High Table depicted as this evil entity that controls a lot of assassins. I would like to see them as an alt guvmint.

[@ethanholgate2512]

They 100% pull a Jason Bourne were john wick has faked his death and gone into hiding and then they'll figure out were the next story will go from there cause the 4th movie doesn't feel complete enough to just end there with him dying so I don't bye that, also chad mentioned Lawrence of Arabia brilliant reference at the beginning were the bowery blows out the match then cuts to the desert brilliant reference that's how much of a film buff you know Chad is

[@claudiacosta2531]

Chade. Preciso de ajuda nesse lugar

[@MrJturner74]

So is there any way we could get a Ghost Rider film with Keanu as Danny Ketch and Chad directing?

[@diddymies]

Keeanu is old my dude.

[@nemospodcast6766]

He’s not dead they would’ve called the movie final Chapter!! Maybe the assassin is dead, but I’m sure there’s a way for John wick to get in some trouble there’s always a way to bring him back.

[@murrik]

15:00

[@shivamadhvaryu2253]

Chapter 5 will be made. He's not dead

[@ethanholgate2512]

I don't bye it either man if there gonna more they'll definitely pull a Jason Bourne were he's faked his death and gone into hiding were they'll pick the story up from there I feel

[@shivamadhvaryu2253]

@@ethanholgate2512 i mean Steve asked him if he's permanently dead and chad didn't give a definite answer. And the grave said "John wick" that's not even his real name

[@williamneal9076]

John Johnson 15 would not be good. (Jardani Jovonovich) These 4 chapters are plenty for us. Rina on her own would be interesting. I can't watch the TV stuff because I don't subscribe.

[@unchevalier777]

In the next movie he should reincarnate as an alien

[@Garo.11]

My only regret in these movies is that they don't explain who the families or leaders of gangs are of the high table seat holders, and reveal just how impossible the high table is to take down. The end of John Wick 3 and the beginning of this last movie was leading into a war against the high table as a whole. Then they tailed off into another direction. A direction I didn't like but it's not my story. Nevertheless a great movie just wish they would've explained in more detail why John decided to back down from bringing it all down. Besides the fact him wanting to save his friend's misery.

[@williamneal9076]

It makes for verisimilitude!!

[@swapblue]

maybe high table is a symbol for govt. you can't take it down. you can take down the guy sitting on the chair but he'll be replaced

[@nadiachahin7793]

BUT THE END SO SAD WHY HE DIES?

[@useyourname210]

John Wick Chapter 5: Juan Wick Later

[@nadiachahin7793]

WHY ARE YOU CHOOSE JAPAN?😅😅❤❤❤

[@TheHandsomeman]

Aih, chad, do us a favor, don't direct the 5th one.

[@kerrywhitehouse74]

Thanks for spoiling it 👍

[@sharoncarrigan3884]

You work with Keanu reeves if you do not a scamer we need to talk about kr

[@antoinettelopes]

So if Chad had watched "The Muppet Christmas Carol" right before promoting JW3 in Japan... 🤔 Anyway, I'm glad John Wick's dead. He should stay that way. p.s. I wanna meet the people who thought those were CG stairs. 🤣

[@manzenshaaegis8783]

The joe rogan fan comment is painful... really taints my view on this guy, which is a shame.

[@cinder3150]

he doesnt say anything bad though?

[@terrencemarshall5982]

John Wick 4 was terrible. Poor writing, poor directing. Please bring back the excellence of John Wick 1 through 3 for John Wick 5.

[@lilmilontiktok]

So you spoil it without a warning AND promote joe rogan? Ew