John Wick: Chapter 4 picks up after the events of Parabellum, with John Wick having been shot by Winston and saved by the Bowery King. Wick has found a new vengeful path toward the leaders of the High Table with the goal of destroying their empire and earning his freedom. However, to combat Wick’s continued pursuit, the High Table introduces a new player: the dangerous Marquis Vincent de Gramont. The Marquis targets anyone who offers the Baba Yaga help, thus turning old friends into foes.
John Wick: Chapter 4, once again helmed by director Chad Stahelski, features the return of powerhouse performers Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Lance Reddick, and Ian McShane. Rounding out the star-studded cast are John Wick newcomers Donnie Yen, Bill Skarsgård, Hiroyuki Sanada, Shamier Anderson, Rina Sawayama, Scott Adkins, and Clancy Brown. The world of John Wick, which debuted in 2014, continues to grow with the newest installment, a spin-off movie, Ballerina, and a spin-off prequel television series, The Continental.
Related: John Wick 4 Is Already Creating A Big Action Challenge For John Wick 5
Screen Rant spoke with Laurence Fishburne about reprising his role as the Bowery King in John Wick Chapter 4. He discusses collaborating with Chad Stahelski and Keanu Reeves’ growth since The Matrix. Fishburne also reveals whether he is interested in a Bowery King spin-off.
Laurence Fishburne on John Wick Chapter 4
Screen Rant: All Hail the King man! I love the Bowery King! He has such a gravitas to him while hiding in plain sight. How has your approach to the character changed since he was first introduced?
Laurence Fishburne: I don’t know that he’s changed that much. The nice part for me was being able to set the table for this movie. With that speech is beginning and preparing you for the ride right at the start.
That’s incredible. Now, the world-building in John Wick is phenomenal. They make every location and setting feel like a character themselves. Can you talk to me about exploring the world of John Wick and if you’d want to see a spin-off of the Bowery King?
Laurence Fishburne: A spin-off of the Bowery King is kind of a mind-blowing idea. What would that even be? Where do you even start with that? I’ve heard that there’s a Continental [spin-off], that’s also another really interesting ideas. But yeah, man, I’m up for whatever.
Now you’re a frequent collaborator with Keanu Reeves all the way back to The Matrix. Can you talk to me about how you’ve seen him grow and evolve in his time since then, to now?
Laurence Fishburne: Well, the amount of stamina and discipline that has been required of him over this past decade doing Wick it’s unbelievable. It’s really, really something. And his Judo game alone in this movie. His gun game in the second movie, and now the Judo is just incredible.
That’s the thing with these films. I honestly think that the John Wick franchise is one of the only franchise out there that just gets better with each installment. It’s incredible.
Laurence Fishburne: That’s been intentional. And that’s really down to Chad, Keanu, and the whole team.
Speaking of Chad, he’s been on board for all four of these films. Can you talk about the collaboration process of working with him on these films?
Laurence Fishburne: He’s a student of film. He’s a student of action film. He’s a student of international film. He’s an incredible martial artist. He has incredible discipline and vision, and he’s brought all of these things together. Obviously, his collaboration with Keanu we are really enjoying the harvest of their time together.
At the end of John Wick 3, the Bowery King decides to save John Wick. How does that change his relationship with John Wick in Chapter Four?
Laurence Fishburne: Well, I think that’s pretty much the nature of the relationship between John Wick and Bowery King. Remember in two when the Bowery King first appears, he’s the guy that Wick it goes to when everything is looking like it’s gonna go down the toilet, and then suddenly the toilet opens. Now you’re in the sewer with the king rat and it’s pretty amazing.
About John Wick Chapter 4
Following the events of Parabellum, John Wick has found a new path to defeating the High Table and is taking the fight to them. But before he can try to earn his freedom, a powerful new enemy will turn even more people against Wick, including one of his oldest and most dangerous friends.
Check out our other John Wick: Chapter 4 interviews here:
- Keanu Reeves
- Chad Stahelski
- Scott Adkins
- Ian McShane & Lance Reddick
- Hiroyuki Sanada & Shamier Anderson
- Costume Designer Paco Delgado
- Writers Shay Hatten and Michael Finch
- Stunt Coordinators Scott Rogers & Stephen Dunlevy
Next: Every Confirmed New Character In John Wick 4 (& What We Know)
Key Release Dates
John Wick: Chapter 4
Release Date:2023-03-24
