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The documentary includes “never-before-seen footage captured over a decade on and off set” and personal stories from Keanu Reeves.
John Wick documentary Wick is Pain is set to release on May 9. (Photo Credits: X)
The John Wick series is expanding with a new documentary titled Wick is Pain, which takes a deep dive into how the first film was almost shelved before it became a major franchise. Premiering on May 9, the documentary includes “never-before-seen footage captured over a decade on and off set” and personal stories from Keanu Reeves, director Chad Stahelski and producers David Leitch and Basil Iwanyk. The trailer gives viewers a glimpse of the struggles, like a tight budget and production shutdown. Leitch recalls trying to arrange $6.5 million in just one weekend, while Iwanyk described the situation as “completely f****d.” Stahelski, who was directing his first movie, was under a lot of pressure because he didn’t want to disappoint Keanu.
The trailer begins with Keanu saying, “When we say John Wick is pain, it’s kind of like a f**k yeah.” Stahelski adds, “I knew K for years before I directed him. I don’t know if you realise what kind of advantage that is.” Speaking about the actor-directors bond, Leitch says, “No better union could have happened in the film business than Chad and Keanu. They bleed wick, they die wick and that’s why it’s so good.”
The rest of the trailer shows how the team struggled to arrange money for the first John Wick film, along with the tense moments between Keanu Reeves, Chad Stahelski, David Leitch and Basil Iwanyk. One of the producers, Erica Lee described the whole situation as “Pure mayhem.” The trailer also gives a look at the team discussing their risky choice to include the dog’s death in the story. Lee says, “This is either genius or the worst thing I’ve ever made.”
As per Lionsgate, “The film chronicles John Wick’s journey from independent film—facing a mountain of creative, financial, and personal challenges—into a global phenomenon that redefined the action genre and launched three megahit sequels. Join Keanu Reeves, director Chad Stahelski, and the extended Wick cast and crew as they go behind the scenes of this billion-dollar franchise that almost never happened.”
Wick is Pain will spotlight on how John Wick started as just one movie and later grew into a huge series with games, shows and more. It will also take a closer look at the amazing stunt work that went on behind the scenes. The release of this documentary is coming at a perfect time because the franchise is about to launch its first spinoff movie, Ballerina, starring Ana de Armas.
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