Filmmakers for the hit John Wick franchise faced criticism over their decision to include the pivotal death of the main character’s puppy early in the first movie. This plot point sparked the retired assassin John Wick’s quest for revenge against those who wronged him. Directors David Leitch and Chad Stahelski recently opened up about the objections they encountered and Keanu Reeves’ support for their vision.
Many in the film industry warned Leitch and Stahelski that killing the puppy would upset viewers. They were told it was “bad luck” and “bad juju.” Critics compared it to the beloved classic book Where the Red Fern Grows. However, Leitch noted the hypocrisy, saying “We’re going to execute people at close range; killing the dog is one thing, but what about the brutal massacre of all these human beings?”
The controversial scene shows thugs taking both Wick’s prized car and the puppy given to him by his late wife. Left devastated, this loss sets Wick on a path to get even. Stahelski explained they planned to film the puppy’s death off-camera using a “baby lens” to give a dream-like quality, with only a trail of blood hinting at its fate as it tried to reach Wick.
Filming the scene was emotionally taxing. Reeves gave a powerful performance opposite a stuffed animal double, crying as his battered character John Wick in pajamas. Despite pressures to rewrite the ending, Reeves backed the directors’ original vision which included the puppy’s death.
Their risky choice paid off tremendously. John Wick earned over $86 million globally and paved the way for a $1 billion franchise with four films so far. The story will continue expanding with projects like a prequel spin-off movie Ballerina starring Ana de Armas set for 2025. Donnie Yen is also reprising his role in an upcoming film, while an anime prequel and TV sequel series are in development.
