Along with his star Keanu Reeves, stuntman-turned-director Chad Stahelski is the maestro behind one of the most successful action franchises in recent Hollywood history: John Wick.
So what’s the secret? Downtime.
“In between [each] John Wick is where we really get better,” Stahelski explains over Zoom. “We turn in the project. And then you take a little break, you breathe, you read more books … and you get better.”
Stahelski co-directed the 2014 original, in which Reeves plays the titular retired assassin, and has single-handedly directed every episode since, watching each movie grow in size and popularity. Expanding the film’s heightened universe — where assassins obey a Samurai-like code of ethics set by a mysterious organisation, the High Table — Stahelski is all too aware of the pitfalls of sequels. “It's not about writing something bigger or writing something better,” he says. It’s about aiming just that little bit higher.
That said, this epic latest version, John Wick: Chapter 4, truly outdoes itself. Running at 169 minutes — easily the longest of the franchise — it whisks the character to Osaka, Berlin and Paris. To whet the appetite, we open with a dramatic scene in the dunes, as Wick takes down a High Table member. After the previous release, John Wick 3 — Parabellum, was shot partly in Morocco, this time the production ventured to Jordan’s Wadi Rum desert, which served as a perfect backdrop to Wick’s vengeance-fuelled actions.
Again, the film features jaw-dropping set pieces and stunt-work so good it’s staggering that the Academy has yet to introduce an Oscar for Best Stunt Co-ordination. In one fight Reeves’s Wick weaves in and out of traffic around the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, throwing bad guys into the path of oncoming vehicles. It's so impressive you’ll be rubbing your eyes in disbelief.
Admittedly, the John Wick films thrive on excess, as Reeves’s near-mythical, rubber-boned hitman survives all manner of assaults on his person. Yet, Stahelski says, it can’t simply be a about racking up a higher body count. “Expanding the world, you’ve got to seek focus. And I wish I could tell you it was super easy. It's not. I'd like to just make big set pieces and blow things up. But you got to do a little bit more legwork.”
Certainly, this latest instalment manages that — with new antagonist Marquis (Bill Skarsgard) out to finally bring down the renegade Wick. To do this, he pits Wick against his old friend, Caine, a visually impaired assassin played by Hong Kong martial arts superstar Donnie Yen, in what is surely a nod to his blind warrior in Star Wars spin-off Rogue One. “What Donnie came with was pretty incredible,” Stahelski says. “To see him in the movie — he’s a standout.”
It doesn’t stop there. Action movie aficionados will revel in seeing roles played by Britain’s Scott Adkins, another regular on the martial arts film circuit, and Japanese actor Hiroyuki Sanada, famed for The Twilight Samurai. “We've got a pretty good street rep as an action movie,” the director says, “but to still find cast that want to do more than just come in and get a paycheque [is amazing].”
Chapter 4 may yet be the most arduous leg of Wick’s journey. “We're big into Greek mythology,” the director adds. “And in our mind, Keanu is Odysseus. And the more obstacles we can throw at him before he makes it home the better. To see him suffer. And to see what John Wick is really made of, through the obstacles, and we're very stoic. We're a stoic, philosophy-based kind of movie. The obstacle is the way. And we're also really big into fate and consequence.”
Now 58, Reeves’ athletic abilities are a huge part of the franchise’s success. How does he do it?
“I can't stress enough … Keanu is human. He’s not immortal. I know the internet thinks he is. He's your average dude,” he says. “Yes, he possesses physical attributes. He's always been athletic through his life. It's honestly his mind. He's got a fantastic memory. He cares more than anyone I've ever worked with. He's got a determination that's beyond normal people. Like … he's the guy that wants to summit Everest.”
Audiences have predictably responded. The John Wick franchise is that rare thing: each film has enjoyed a bigger opening and overall gross than the last. When John Wick: Chapter 4 opened recently, it made $73.5 million in the US on its opening weekend, outstripping the previous domestic Wick record set by John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum of $56.8 million.
Already, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group president Joe Drake has hinted the company is not averse to a fifth movie. Stahelski groans a little at the idea, but it’s clear he’d love to come back.
“As much as I'll say, ’God, I need a break … don’t ask me about John Wick 5’, of course … I got John Wick 10 ideas! You know, we'll see. Again, it's up to the audience what they want to see and I'm sure the studio has heaps of John Wick ideas, which is, again, very flattering for us that people want more.”
Honeymoonish
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
'Gold'
Director:Anthony Hayes
Stars:Zaf Efron, Anthony Hayes
Rating:3/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2025, Thailand
UAE fixtures
May 9, v Malaysia
May 10, v Qatar
May 13, v Malaysia
May 15, v Qatar
May 18 and 19, semi-finals
May 20, final
MEFCC information
Tickets range from Dh110 for an advance single-day pass to Dh300 for a weekend pass at the door. VIP tickets have sold out. Visit www.mefcc.com to purchase tickets in advance.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
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Dolittle
Director: Stephen Gaghan
Stars: Robert Downey Jr, Michael Sheen
One-and-a-half out of five stars
FIXTURES
Monday, January 28
Iran v Japan, Hazza bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)
Tuesday, January 29
UAEv Qatar, Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)
Friday, February 1
Final, Zayed Sports City Stadium (6pm)
First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
LAST-16 FIXTURES
Sunday, January 20
3pm: Jordan v Vietnam at Al Maktoum Stadium, Dubai
6pm: Thailand v China at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
9pm: Iran v Oman at Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Monday, January 21
3pm: Japan v Saudi Arabia at Sharjah Stadium
6pm: Australia v Uzbekistan at Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
9pm: UAE v Kyrgyzstan at Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Tuesday, January 22
5pm: South Korea v Bahrain at Rashid Stadium, Dubai
8pm: Qatar v Iraq at Al Nahyan Stadium, Abu Dhabi
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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SERIE A FIXTURES
Saturday
AC Milan v Sampdoria (2.30pm kick-off UAE)
Atalanta v Udinese (5pm)
Benevento v Parma (5pm)
Cagliari v Hellas Verona (5pm)
Genoa v Fiorentina (5pm)
Lazio v Spezia (5pm)
Napoli v Crotone (5pm)
Sassuolo v Roma (5pm)
Torino v Juventus (8pm)
Bologna v Inter Milan (10.45pm)
The Bio
Favourite holiday destination: Either Kazakhstan or Montenegro. I’ve been involved in events in both countries and they are just stunning.
Favourite book: I am a huge of Robin Cook’s medical thrillers, which I suppose is quite apt right now. My mother introduced me to them back home in New Zealand.
Favourite film or television programme: Forrest Gump is my favourite film, that’s never been up for debate. I love watching repeats of Mash as well.
Inspiration: My late father moulded me into the man I am today. I would also say disappointment and sadness are great motivators. There are times when events have brought me to my knees but it has also made me determined not to let them get the better of me.
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
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