Keanu Reeves’ John Wick film series has vaulted his career in the action-thriller genre. John Wick 4 hit theatres in early 2023, marking the franchise’s biggest opening with $73 million. So far, the latest installment boasts the greatest number at the box office with $187 million globally, per Box Office Mojo. Interestingly, John Wick director Chad Stahelski has ideas up his sleeves.
Stahelski opened up about a Star Wars endeavor he might be willing to explore sometime in the future, that is, if Disney lets him. Discussing reboots and franchises, the prominent filmmaker disclosed that he would love to incorporate some new ideas into the Star Wars franchise.
Chad Stahelski is keen to helm a Star Wars reboot
Noting his recent success with John Wick 4, the 55-year-old director candidly unraveled his thoughts on a future project he wants to lead. Appearing in the Happy Sad Confused podcast with host Josh Horowitz on Monday, Chad Stahelski shared how working with Marvel encouraged his own franchise. Therefore, reflecting on the multiple Spider-Man reboots made, Stahelski said,
“like I’m a Star Wars guy too, like the first Star Wars changed my life. Maybe someday out there… Disney if you’re listening. Hit me in a couple years and I have a couple takes for Star Wars. I’d take a swing at that, I challenge you. See if Disney could survive me.”
When asked if he has ideas for a Star Wars feature, Stahelski confidently replied with a “Yeah, I do!” While there haven’t been any reboots in the billion-dollar franchise, only sequels, the John Wick director seemed to have different plans.
Star Wars original production company, Lucasfilm, owned by Star Wars veteran director George Lucas sold the franchise to Disney after directing the original trilogy, in 2012. Disney took over from there on, and J.J. Abrams led the sequel trilogy with Episode VII, Episode VIII, and Episode IX.
Chad Stahelski’s high regard for Kevin Feige
Ahead of revealing his ambition for Star Wars, Stahelski recalled his experience with Marvel. Stahelski revealed that it was filled with enlightenment and also the fact that Kevin Feige guided him to kickstart Stahelski’s John Wick series. The stuntman-turned- film director admitted,
“I’ve worked for Marvel a bunch and they’ve been very, very good to me. Kevin Feige, he’s been very…he’s almost been a bit of a mentor in a capacity of advice that, you know, he was happy to, gave me about how to open up a franchise with John Wick.”
During his days as a stuntman, Stahelski worked as a utility stunt performer for Iron Man 2 and also assisted the directorial team in Captain America: Civil War. According to Comicbook.com, the American director also wanted to direct a sequel to the Blade franchise for Marvel. Clearly, Stahelski is gearing up to take on new challenges as a director and it’s refreshing.
