Despite film fans and studios saying it’s impossible to launch new franchises in today’s Hollywood, “John Wick” seems to be thriving. After the sequel outperformed the original, the “John Wick” franchise has gone from odd Keanu Reeves action film to the most-anticipated list. And in honor of 2019 right around the corner, EW has graced ‘Wick’ fans (‘Wick’-ans?) the first look at the upcoming ‘Chapter 3.’
The first two pictures from “John Wick: Chapter 3” give you everything you need to know about the upcoming film. First, the image with the titular character in the rain shows you that Reeves is back, as broody as ever. “The third chapter is literally connected to 2 and starts with John Wick on the run,” Reeves says. “It goes crazy from there.”
The second picture gives the answer to the first question on any ‘Wick’-ans mind, “Will there be dogs?” And yes, not only will there be a dog in ‘Chapter 3,’ but newcomer Halle Berry is bringing two of them to the threequel. And in describing her character, it appears that the dogs are vital and she has a past with our hero.
“Whereas John’s puppy was symbolic of his wife, Halle’s two dogs are symbolic of someone she’s lost,” says director Chad Stahelski. He goes on to say that action scenes will feature the “canine assistants…. They work very well tactically.”
“She has a past with John,” says Reeves. “I end up going to find her to see if she can help me.”
Berry isn’t the only new addition to the cast. Mark Dacascos, Asia Kate Dillion, and Hollywood legend Anjelica Huston show up in the new film. And as far as Huston goes, her role might go a long way to shedding light on Wick, himself. She’s “someone who was responsible for [Wick’s] upbringing and his protection,” says Stahelski, who calls Chapter 3 “a little bit of an origin story.”
And for those worried that ‘Chapter 3’ might be a softer film than the previous two, the director assures fans that the body count will “land slightly north” of the previous film.
“John Wick: Chapter 3” hits theaters May 17, 2019.