John Wick director reminisces on working with Lance Reddick on final film before death

One of his final films shot before his death, Lance Reddick stars posthumously in the upcoming John Wick film.

The Charon actor died suddenly on 17 March 2023 at the age of 60, before a number of movies and shows featuring him were set to be released.

Reddick had an impressive list of credits to his name, notably including HBO’s The Wire, Bosch and White House Down. And of course, he starred in every John Wick film as the director of the latest instalment calls him the ‘soul’ of the franchise.

Having directed the Underworld series, Len Wiseman took on Ballerina – the first feature film John Wick spin-off. Starring Ana de Armas as assassin Eve Macarro, it takes place during the events of Chapter 3.

As well as featuring an appearance from Keanu Reeves, Reddick's Charon is in the film as De Armas and Wiseman spoke to LADbible about their memories with him on set.

Ballerina began filming in November 2022, wrapping up about a month before the star’s death.

“He was so lovely. He was such a movie geek like me and so we really connected on that. And just in between takes, those are the times I really remember,” the director says.

“It was so great that we had him in the film, because I really think he’s the soul of the series in many ways.”

Wiseman adds that it was ‘wonderful’ spending time getting to know Reddick as the pair would ‘go down our kind of geek path’.

Filming wrapped just before Reddick's death (Lionsgate)

The star of the new film, De Armas says she would often chat to the late actor about the previous John Wick films on set, as he shared stories from the past years as Charon.

“He was such a gentle, sweet man. Really lovely,” she shares. “It would be him and Ian [McShane, who plays Winston Scott] and I just hanging together while these guys [the crew] were getting everything ready to shoot.

“And it was just a very, very nice time that we spent together.”

Wiseman says Reddick was the 'soul' of John Wick (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Following Reddick’s death, the lead of the franchise, Reeves, paid tribute in a joint statement with the original John Wick director Chad Stahelski.

“We are deeply saddened and heartbroken at the loss of our beloved friend and colleague Lance Reddick," they said.

“He was the consummate professional and a joy to work with. Our love and prayers are with his wife Stephanie, his children, family and friends."

From the World of John Wick: Ballerina is in cinemas 6 June.