Lionsgate
Chad Stahelski and David Leitch, the two co-directors of the original John Wick movie, have revealed that they had to battle with producers in order for Keanu Reeves to keep his now-iconic beard.
During a recent sit-down interview to celebrate John Wick turning 10 years old, Stahelski — who has since directed the other three John Wick movies — and Leitch — who has gone on to helm Deadpool 2 and The Fall Guy — told the anecdote of the film’s producers wanting Reeves to be clean-shaven for the project.
John Wick was released in 2014 and came at a time when Reeves’ profile was perhaps smaller than at any other point in his career.
“The money people, they wanted to see Keanu f—— Reeves. ‘Point Break’ Keanu, ‘Speed’ Keanu. And I don’t know if this exists anymore, but at the time we were told by the powers that be you don’t cover up your leading man’s face with a beard,” Chad Stahelski told Business Insider during an interview covering the 10-year anniversary of the film. “First day of shooting, we had Keanu in the beard, and later that week, when they watched the dailies, people f—— loved it,”
“I don’t want to get into it, but since then I have had contentious conversations about stars having facial hair. ‘He needs to be clean-shaven for international!’ That’s the classic studio line,” co-director David Leitch added.
Next up for the John Wick franchise will be the Ana de Armas-starring spinoff Ballerina, which releases next summer.
Ballerina: From the World of John Wick will be released in movie theaters in the United States on Friday, June 6, 2025. Alongside de Armas in the lead role, Ballerina is also set to star Anjelica Huston, Ian McShane, Keanu Reeves, and the late Lance Reddick, who reprise their roles from the John Wick franchise, alongside newcomers Gabriel Byrne, Catalina Sandino Moreno, and Norman Reedus.
Check out the official synopsis and trailer for Ballerina: From the World of John Wick below.
“Taking place during the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, the film follows Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas) who is beginning her training in the assassin traditions of the Ruska Roma.”