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Who would have played John Wick better than Keanu?

posted 8 years ago by joyork
93 replies | jump to latest

I've just watched John Wick for the second time and I enjoyed it just as much second time round as the first. I love revenge/justice type films and I think this was well executed, if you pardon the pun.

My main gripe about the movie, however, is the lead actor. I didn't find him to be particularly convincing as John Wick.

Maybe he's too skinny or un-menacing or not psychotic enough. The best bit was when he stabbed the guy and stared intently as he watched him die. Other than that I found Keannu to be slightly weak as the main role... particularly as the reputation and legend that is John Wick the character was built up magnificently all the way through the movie.

I'm racking my brain to think who would have been perfect for the role and have come up with these suggestions:

Jim Caviezel (Mr Reese in Person of interest - just the right amount of menace/professional hitman/one man army about him, and despite being 4 years younger than Keanu actually seems older)

Tom Cruise - what he lacks in muscle he makes up for in psychotic nuttyness. Just needs to channel his inner Thetans and kapow!

Any other credible suggestions?

[–] TomsWindow 8 years ago

I thought Keanu was great in the role, he brought in just the right amount of professionalism and anger. Although I think Ryan Gosling would have been good too.

If nothing we do matters, then all that matters is what we do. -Angel

[–] ManThing32 8 years ago

Morgan Freeman

[–] darkknight-11317 8 years ago

No one. Keanu Reeves is John Wick. Period!!

[–] sumacsteel 8 years ago

I'd say stick with Keanu but without the beard. He just can't grow a good beard.

[–] runefanger 8 years ago

No one could have done it better.

His blandness fit the blandness of the writing perfectly. Combining together to form the perfect stew of meh.

[–] RickyBetter 8 years ago

KR was great but if asked to name others, perhaps -

Frank Grillo
Karl Urban
Alexander Skarsgård
Oscar Isaac
Jared Leto
Djimon Hounsou
Liev Schreiber

- Entered what I ate today into my new fitness app and it just sent an ambulance to my house.

[–] Connor_Kenway 8 years ago

He's too skinny? Tell that to Bruce Willis in Die Hard, and he kicked ass.

In martial arts, or just fighting in general size means little. Just ask Yoda.

But as one poster already pointed out, John Wick got his reputation for being an excellent marksman and assassin; the type of hitman to rely mostly on weapons, although he likely also trained in martial arts where it's all about technique over physique. Looks can be deceiving, which likely also contributed to his fierce reputation.

I don't agree with your choice of Tom Cruise either. He's anything but menacing, same as Keanu really.

In conclusion: the best criminal, is the one who don't look like no criminal. With regards from Walter White.

[–] tdrhincorporated 8 years ago

It's going to sound odd, but hear me out... Stallone.

We know he can do the action sequences, we know his physique, and we've seen him successfully play assassins before. All of that shows he could play the part. But three factors show how he can play the part better.

1. Cold blue eyes. More specifically, Stallone is better at portraying both cold hatred, and vicious anger. With just his eyes. Fits the characterization better.
2. He's played similar characters before. Watch Get Carter for a great reference.
3. Most importantly, his age. John Wick is a legend among this community, that type of legend takes time to build. Keanu is 52, but he looks 35-40. His apparent age doesn't match the reputation he has built for himself, nor the idea of "retired". Stallone, looking very much like a man in his 60's, not only gives the weight of years to the character, but he more closely matches Wick's contemporaries in the film.Michael Nyqvist, Ian McShane, Willem Dafoe... These are not young cats. It also gives him the requisite years, possibly deacdes to build the "legend" of John Wick.

Just my take on it.