When ‘John Wick’ premiered in 2014, viewers had mixed expectations. Keanu Reeves had been heavily promoting the film, and since it had been years since he starred in a significant action movie (we can overlook ‘47 Ronin’), many were pleasantly surprised by the outcome. ‘John Wick’ turned out to be not only stylish but also surprisingly profound, revolving around a man seeking revenge after the death of his dog.
The film’s success led to three sequels featuring Reeves, but had it retained its original title, it might not have enjoyed the same success. The title of a movie can greatly influence its reception, and in ‘John Wick’s’ case, Reeves’ inability to recall the initial name ultimately worked in its favour.
Image Courtesy: People
In a 2020 interview with Comicbook.com, screenwriter Derek Kolstad disclosed that the film was originally titled ‘Scorn’. However, Reeves became so connected with his character that he consistently referred to the film as ‘John Wick’. Kolstad noted, “The only reason it’s called John Wick is that Keanu kept referring to it as John Wick.” Marketing teams realized this name recognition translated to valuable promotion, leading to the final title. While ‘Scorn’ could have worked, ‘John Wick’ carries a unique presence that resonates with Reeves’ portrayal of the character.
Kolstad initially wrote ‘John Wick’ and its sequel, ‘John Wick: Chapter 2’, before others took over for ‘Chapter 3: Parabellum’. By the time ‘Chapter 4’ arrived, Kolstad was no longer involved.
Image Courtesy: People
The franchise has since expanded significantly, including the recent three-episode miniseries, ‘The Continental: From the World of John Wick’, and an upcoming project titled ‘John Wick: Under the High Table’. There’s even a film titled ‘From the World of John Wick: Ballerina’, set to release in 2025. Had ‘John Wick’ been named ‘Scorn’, it might not have garnered the attention necessary for its monumental success. The original film remains a standout, with the sequels continuing to uphold its legacy, as does Reeves.
–Farheen Ali