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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?

[–] 7 years ago

[deleted]

[–] jorget22 7 years ago

Richard Simmons. He is in pretty good shape from Dancing to the Oldies.

[–] FairlyAnonymous 7 years ago

Personally, I thought Keanu pulled it off nicely due to the fact that he doesn't look overly threatening and he looks more calm/stoic than aggressive/powerful. Remember, the movie is slightly humorous, due to the fact that the main thing that triggers his revenge spree is his dog dying. The audience doesn't know how dangerous this man is. If you got someone who is obviously a hitman, then it doesn't trick the audience. But when you get a skinnier guy (who is retired) and find out that he is the best of the best, now you have an interesting story.

Also, I believe Keanu did most of, if not all of his own stunts. There are videos of him at firing ranges, and his skill with a gun is unbelievable. He really knows his stuff in regards to guns.

[–] chilone (17280) 7 years ago

So he did all the actual shooting in this? ;)

[–] rgl-6 7 years ago

Caitlyn Jenner in drag.

Cancel my subscription to the Resurrection. Send my credentials to the House of Detention.

[–] josephmpapp 7 years ago

There were two scenes where his lack of range were hard to miss. He couldn't cry and his rage scene were not good. Fortunately, the action sequences were done very well.

[–] lucky 13 7 years ago

The perfect actor for the role was already cast...end of line.

[–] vicky_lc2001 (1907) 7 years ago

Caviezel is a good and dedicated actor but he wouldn't have taken such a role.

Cruise is charismatic and has the same dedicated physicality as Keanu but his age has caught up with him while Keanu looks relatively young still.

The reason this film is a hit is because it isn't a flashy action film with 10 cuts to climb a fence. Keanu himself put himself through rigorous training and physical accomplishments for this role and that's why it worked.

And honestly I can't imagine a Schwarzenegger beefy type of guy in such a role. I see a thinner and more flexible agile body type like Keanu's.

[–] chilone (17280) 7 years ago

Clint Eastwood!