• iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • Australia
    • Ireland
    • World News
    • Weird News
    • Viral News
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Science
    • True Crime
    • Travel
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV & Film
    • Netflix
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • TikTok
  • LAD Originals
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • Lad Files
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Extinct
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube

LAD Entertainment

YouTube

LAD Stories

Submit Your Content
John Wick 4 alternative ending didn't go down well at cinema screening

Home> Entertainment

Published 14:32 28 Mar 2023 GMT+1

John Wick 4 alternative ending didn't go down well at cinema screening

The fourth entry into the John Wick franchise nearly had an alternative ending, according to director Chad Stahelski.

Katherine Sidnell

Katherine Sidnell

John Wick: Chapter 4 nearly had an alternative ending, but fans of the franchise were not too impressed during a test screening.

The latest instalment has gone on to be a box office smash, beating other big films like Scream VI, Creed and Shazam! Fury of the Gods.

However, director Chad Stahelski had initially been unsure how to end the fourth entry into the John Wick franchise.

Thankfully, things have seemingly worked out for the director, with John Wick: Chapter 4 grossing over $137.8 million (£111.8m) at the box office already.

In fact, the hitman film has been so well received it’s got an insane score of 95 percent fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.

Advert

Considering how few films even get close to that kind of rating on the Tomatometer, Stahelski should feel pretty happy with his decisions.

However, the stuntman turned filmmaker admitted that his alternative ending for the fourth film was ‘a little sketchy’. (Major spoilers ahead)

The film has been a huge hit at the box office.
Album / Alamy Stock Photo

Speaking about John Wick 4’s ending, Stahelski admitted that he’d initially wanted to tease fans about a possible fifth film.

The current ending sees the retired hitman (played by Keanu Reeves) die after a bitter final battle, with John Wick succumbing to his injuries.

Advert

At his funeral, we see The Bowery King (Laurence Fishburne) and Winston Scott (Ian McShane) with the assassin’s beloved dog.

However, the scene cuts to the puppy looking upwards as if he’d seen his master – hinting at his survival.

But this wasn't always how the movie was going to end.

Stahelski told The Hollywood Reporter: “It was a little sketchy during test screenings. I haven’t told too many people this, but we did additional photography and shot a different ending.

"There was a different way to do [the funeral scene], and we wanted it to be a little bit more mysterious. That’s why you see the puppy look up at the end.”

Advert

The alternative ending didn't impress test audiences.
LANDMARK MEDIA / Alamy Stock Photo

Stahelski declined to spell out exactly what happened in the alternative ending, but apparently test audiences weren’t too impressed.

Although Stahelski had been prepared to use either ending, the intense reaction during the test screening made it clear which one he had to go with.

He said: "We did one test screening, and the audience revolted pretty hard about [the new ending].

"So, we thought that we nailed it the first time, and to the studio’s credit, they didn’t even blink."

Advert

Whilst Lionsgate might not be happy that its biggest franchise is wrapping up for now, the director and cast were thrilled with how the film played out.

Stahelski said he was delighted with the test screening for the original ending, saying that the production team high-fived each other afterwards.

He told THR: “We all saw the reactions, and we all high-fived each other and said, ‘We have a good movie.'"

Featured Image Credit: Lionsgate

Topics: Keanu Reeves, TV and Film, Celebrity, John Wick

Katherine Sidnell
Katherine Sidnell

Katherine is an entertainment journalist with a love of all things nerdy. Starting out writing Doctor Who fan fiction as a kid, she has gone on to interview the likes of Matt Damon, James May and Dua Lipa to name a few. Published in The Sun, The Daily Mail and Evening Standard - she now joins Ladbible as resident nerd in chief.

X

@ksidnell

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Keanu Reeves makes concerning personal admission about future of the John Wick franchise
  • Ana de Armas and Keanu Reeves star in first trailer for John Wick spin-off Ballerina
  • Ex-stuntman who created John Wick films reveals the hidden secret behind stunt profession
  • John Wick: Chapter 4 trailer has been released

Choose your content:

2 hours ago
4 hours ago
6 hours ago
8 hours ago
  • 2 hours ago

    Oasis issue critical warning to everyone attending Manchester concerts

    The Gallagher brothers play their first homecoming gig at Heaton Park on Friday night

    Entertainment
  • 4 hours ago

    Every Scrubs actor who has died as reboot confirmed after 15 years

    The show is returning after 15 years, however some actors involved in the show have tragically died

    Entertainment
  • 6 hours ago

    Superman fans make iconic discovery after former actor brands new film 'woke'

    The most woke thing of all: Arguably the most famously American character of all time

    Entertainment
  • 8 hours ago

    Netflix viewers are being left constantly guessing by mystery mini-series you can watch in one sitting

    The Netflix series is a great binge with a bonkers plot twist

    Entertainment