‘I Think I’m Terrible’: Former Stuntman and John Wick Director Chad Stahelski Says He Finds it Easier to Set Himself on Fire Rather Than Be Keanu Reeves’ Co-Star

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John Wick: Chapter 4 director Chad Stahelski’s little cameo in The Matrix Resurrections was quite a sight. The 53-year-old former stuntman was brought in by Lana Wachowski to play the role of Trinity’s husband in the movie, where he appeared in a scene that also included Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss.

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Stahelski, mostly known for his work as the director for the John Wick series, was Keanu Reeves’ stunt double in The Matrix franchise, and he would later go on to become the stunt coordinator for the other movies in the franchise. Despite having an abundance of experience in the movie industry, Stahelski is camera shy, and he’s pretty open about it.

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Chad Stahelski at an event

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Chad Stahelski Is Not The Most Confident In Front Of The Rolling Cameras

During a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the former stuntman told a story about how his cameo in The Matrix Resurrections came into place.

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Chad Stahelski at the premiere of The Matrix Resurrections

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Chad Stahelski explained that he wasn’t even sure about doing the cameo in the first place-

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“I was in the middle of doing my movie, so my head was somewhere else. But I showed up in San Francisco for the first part, and I went into the trailer to change. I was like, “Wow, I haven’t done this in a long time.” As I went into hair and makeup, they handed me three pages, and I was like, “Oh, I’m Carrie-Anne’s [Moss] husband, I have three kids, and I have to do a scene with Keanu and Carrie-Anne.””

“So I went and found Lana on set, and I was like, “I don’t think you want me to do this. I’m going to screw up your movie.” And she was like, “Oh, you’ll be fine.” So I told myself, “Okay, I’m confident. I’m a director. I’m a stunt guy. I can do this, no problem.”

It’s quite funny to think that a man with so much experience would be having a panic attack such as this, but hey, we’ve all got things to work on!

Also Read: What Is Gun FU: Legendary Gun Kata Martial Arts Style Keanu Reeves Will Use in John Wick: Chapter 4

Chad Stahelski Thinks Keanu Reeves Was Messing With Him

After working for more than two decades in the same industry together, you’re bound to become friends who pull each other’s legs, and that’s kind of the relationship that Keanu Reeves and his stuntman/John Wick director Chad Stahelski have.

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L to R: Keanu Reeves and Chad Stahlelski back in 2004

Related: Why John Wick Movies Are the Greatest American Action Films

During the same interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Stahelski shared a hilarious moment with Reeves that happened while filming his cameo as Trinity’s husband in The Matrix Resurrections- 

So it’s the scene in the coffee shop, and I run in with the kids to get my croissant. And I noticed Keanu was giving me the Keanu Reeves’ eyes, and Carrie-Anne had her baby blues looking up at me. So all I could think about was Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss staring at me, and I forgot my line.”

“So it took me three takes to get it out. Keanu won’t admit it, but I think he was purposefully eyeballing me to choke me up. So no matter how tough or confident you think you are, there’s always that camera. I’ve been set on fire and blown up, I’ve done all these amazing stunts, but speaking in front of those two while they’re laying it on … So I think I’m terrible, but I think that was part of the satisfaction for Lana. I would hope.”

Friends like these are friends to keep, and I can just imagine the absolute hilarity of the situation.

John Wick: Chapter 4 will release on the big screens on March 24, 2023.

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Source: The Hollywood Reporter

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Written by Sang Tonsing

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Sang is a content writer for Fandomwire with over 300 published articles. He now has 3 years of experience and counting in content writing. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Political Science at Delhi University.

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