(Michael Arbeiter contributed to this article.)
Drive-in movie critic and Monstervision host Joe Bob Briggs used to say that the Friday the 13th series knew how to make a good sequel: by making the exact same movie over again. And while he had a point, in that franchises which deviate too far from their formula often suffer for it, we audiences like to think we’re smarter than that, and want something different every time.
Except in the case of John Wick. I think I speak for most fans of the original when I say that we’re quite happy to see Keanu Reeves just do that same thing he did last time where he beat everyone’s asses. In this new trailer for John Wick: Chapter 2, many of the same scenarios as in the original appear to be playing out, though this time around there are some bigger stars involved (Laurence Fishburne and Common, to name a couple) and a more exotic locale (Rome).
“This is the highest level I’ve [experienced] when it comes to fighting, action, ‘gung-fu,’ all these new techniques and styles of fighting,” Common said to a thrilled crowd at Madison Square Garden for New York Comic Con. In terms of the role he’ll be playing in the film, Common said, “My character is not necessarily a villain.”
Just a few seats to his right, Keanu Reeves finished the thought: “We have… different points of view.”
Actually, there is one change to the formula we’d be happy with: Wick has a new dog this time, and it would be just peachy if the new pooch doesn’t meet the same horrible fate as its predecessor. Some of our friends are still mad we didn’t warn them about THAT scene in Chapter 1.
On the subject, producer Basil Iwanyk said, “The first question I got was, ‘You’re gonna kill the dog again?’” He didn’t instill that much comfort with his cryptic response: “We kill about 80 Italians in the movie, and you guys will see what happens to the dog. It’s great.”
Also, here’s a new international poster:
Will “I’m working on it” be the next “Yeah, I’m thinkin’ I’m back”? Will Keanu Reeves kill everyone he sees? Will we bow down? Yeah, we’re thinkin’ we will. But we want to hear from you. Tell us in comments what you want from John Wick’s further escapades.
Image: Lionsgate
