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Rina Sawayama, the pop star known for her unique blend of pop, R&B, and rock music, has made her acting debut in the highly anticipated John Wick: Chapter 4. While her appearance in the movie has been met with excitement from fans, it turns out that Sawayama was initially hesitant about taking on the role.
In a recent interview with the franchise director, Chad Stahelski, he revealed that Sawayama had never acted before and wasn’t interested in doing so. When Stahelski approached her about playing the role of Akira, the concierge at the Osaka Continental hotel in the movie, Sawayama politely declined.
Despite her initial reluctance, Stahelski spent an hour on the phone with the singer, trying to persuade her to at least meet with the John Wick team. After flying from London to Berlin to meet with Stahelski, Keanu Reeves, and the stunt team, Sawayama was assessed and spent several weeks training with the team.
Sawayama’s background in performance and dance made her a natural fit for the role, and her charisma and vibe added an extra dimension to the character. Stahelski was impressed by Sawayama’s dedication and hard work, saying that it was “pretty crazy” how much she accomplished in just a few short weeks.
Sawayama’s appearance in John Wick: Chapter 4 marks a new chapter in her career, and fans are eager to see what she brings to the table. It’s always inspiring to see artists branch out and try new things, and Sawayama’s journey from pop star to action movie actor is a proof to the power of hard work, dedication, and a willingness to take risks.
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Reeves Thinks Sawayama was Great
Keanu Reeves is no stranger to action movies, having starred in some of the biggest hits in the genre, including The Matrix and John Wick. So, when he heard that pop star Rina Sawayama was going to be joining the cast of John Wick: Chapter 4, he was intrigued to see what she could bring to the table.
As it turns out, Sawayama was more than up for the challenge, throwing herself into the intense training regime required to pull off the movie’s high-octane fight scenes. According to Reeves, Sawayama’s background in dance made her a natural fit for the role, and her enthusiasm and dedication shone through during filming.
“She was great,” says Reeves of his co-star. “I think she’s amazing in the film, and she came to John Wick training camp and just threw herself into it, was so enthusiastic.”
Reeves goes on to explain how Sawayama’s dance background gave her an advantage when it came to moving through space and executing complex fight choreography. But it wasn’t just her physical abilities that impressed Reeves; it was her ability to bring her character to life and add her own unique flavor to the fight scenes.
“She has a dance background, so she was really great with moving through space, and it was really great to see how she excelled and also brought her character a flavor [to] how she fought. It was great,” says Reeves.
Chapter 4
The much awaited fourth installment in the John Wick franchise, aptly titled John Wick: Chapter 4, recently hit theaters, and fans of the series are eagerly awaiting its release. Here’s everything we know about the film so far.
Firstly, it’s worth noting that the plot of John Wick: Chapter 4 is being kept tightly under wraps, so fans will have to wait until the movie’s release to find out what happens next to everyone’s favorite hitman. However, there are a few hints and tidbits of information that have been revealed.
For one thing, Keanu Reeves returned in the lead role as John Wick, and he’ll be joined by a star-studded cast that includes Halle Berry, Laurence Fishburne, and Ian McShane, all of whom have appeared in previous John Wick movies. In addition, the film will introduce some new faces to the franchise, including pop star Rina Sawayama in her acting debut.
The movie is directed by Chad Stahelski, who has helmed all three previous John Wick movies and is known for his expertise in crafting stunningly choreographed fight scenes.
Stahelski has promised that John Wick: Chapter 4 will raise the bar even higher when it comes to action sequences, so fans can expect plenty of jaw-dropping stunts and fight scenes that are sure to leave them on the edge of their seats.
In terms of the film’s production, shooting reportedly began in June 2021 and took place in a variety of locations, including Berlin, Paris, and New York City. While some initial production delays were caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, it seems that the film’s release date has remained on track for May 27, 2022.
Film Dedication
Reeves and Stahelski have dedicated the highly anticipated John Wick 4 film to the late Lance Reddick, who passed away on Friday, March 18th, at the age of 60. Reddick had played the character of Charon in all four John Wick movies, a concierge at the Continental, a hotel catering to hitmen.
Reeves and Stahelski expressed their sadness at the loss of their friend and colleague and described him as a consummate professional who was a joy to work with. They added that they will miss him dearly and dedicated the film to his memory.
Reddick was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1962. He began his career on the stage, performing in several productions in New York City before transitioning to television and film. His television credits include The Wire, Fringe, Bosch, and American Horror Story, and he appeared in films such as White House Down, Godzilla vs. Kong, and The Guest.
Reddick’s portrayal of Charon in the John Wick franchise was widely acclaimed, with many praising his suave and understated performance. The character of Charon was a recurring one throughout the series, providing assistance and support to Reeves’ character John Wick.
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Latest Installment
John Wick 4 is the latest installment in the action franchise that began in 2014. The film follows the continuing adventures of Reeves’ character, a retired hitman who is drawn back into the world of assassination. The movie features a star-studded cast, including Donnie Yen, Halle Berry, Laurence Fishburne, and Ian McShane.
The movie’s release was highly anticipated, with fans eagerly awaiting the latest installment in the popular franchise. However, news of Reddick’s passing cast a pall over the premiere. Many fans took to social media to express their sadness at his loss and to pay tribute to his talent and contribution to the John Wick franchise.
In dedicating the film to Reddick’s memory, Reeves and Stahelski have ensured that his legacy will live on. The actor’s work in the John Wick movies will continue to be appreciated by fans, and his contribution to the world of film and television will be remembered for years to come.
Photo: Play Tusu
