Keanu Reeves’ return to the action world was celebrated with great enthusiasm: John Wick did many things differently than we are used to in modern action films. These include smooth camera movements and breathtaking fight choreographies instead of shaky cameras and quick cuts. The film’s biggest taboo break, however, concerned a fan favorite in the plot. Who simply had to die, if you believe director David Leitch.
The John Wick studio wanted to remove a key scene
There is a saying among screenwriters: “Save the Cat”. This means that to make a main character lovable, he should do something lovable at the beginning of the story, like saving a cat. Famously, the opposite happens in John Wick: An antagonist kills the main character’s dog.
The studio apparently feared that the dog’s death would attract the wrath of countless animal lovers. They therefore urged directors Chad Stahelski and David Leitch to remove the scene. Instead, the gangsters just steal John Wick’s car.
In a video from CineFix, David Leitch talks about his Favorite scenes from his own films. In the case of John Wick, it is the moment when John takes the dog out of the carrier.
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He also talks about how many people advised him to remove the scene where the dog died, but Leitch never thought about it.
It’s the emotional fuel for the whole Rei, so to speak. It represents Helen, his wife, and his humanity. And that they won’t allow him to keep his humanity if the dog is killed.
The symbolic meaning of the dog and the effect of his death cannot be ignored. If the criminals had only stolen John’s car, the story would probably not have been half as emotional. And the success proves the director right.
The film was successful enough to warrant three sequels and a prequel series, and another series and two spin-offs are planned.
None of this might have happened if David Leitch hadn’t ignored the studio’s recommendations. The director trusted his gut instinct and brought a groundbreaking action film to theaters.