Shadow (Keanu Reeves) in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 from Paramount Pictures and Sega of America, Inc.
Sonic the Hedgehog returns to the big screen this holiday season in his most thrilling adventure yet. Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails reunite against a powerful new adversary, Shadow, a mysterious villain with powers unlike anything they have faced before. With their abilities outmatched in every way, Team Sonic must seek out an unlikely alliance in hopes of stopping Shadow and protecting the planet.
Director Jeff Fowler returns along with our all-star cast including Jim Carrey, Ben Schwartz, James Marsden, Tika Sumpter, Idris Elba, Colleen O’Shaughnessey, Natasha Rothwell, Shemar Moore, Adam Pally, Lee Majdoub, newcomers Alyla Browne and Krysten Ritter, with Keanu Reeves joining the franchise as Shadow the Hedgehog.
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3 opens in theaters December 20, 2024.
And check out the projections featuring images of Sonic, Shadow and the classic Robotnik icon which appeared in Chicago, Dallas, Frankfurt, London, Los Angeles, Mexico City, New York City, Rio de Janeiro, Rome, San Francisco, Seattle, Sydney, Tokyo leading up to the trailer debut.
Both Sonic films have been successful at the box office, demonstrating the popularity of the character and the franchise.
Sonic the Hedgehog (2020) set the record for the biggest opening weekend for a video game film in the United States and Canada. The domestic gross was $148.9 million with a worldwide take of $319.7 million.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022) surpassed its predecessor’s domestic gross and also performed well internationally. The domestic box office was $146.1 million, while the global box office was $337.2 million.
Jim Carrey as Ivo Robotnik and Sonic (Ben Schwartz) in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 from Paramount Pictures and Sega of America, Inc.
Paramount Pictures Presents In Association with Sega Sammy Group
An Original Film / Marza Animation Planet / Blur Studio Production
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3 is based on the SEGA Video Game
Sonic (Ben Schwartz) in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 from Paramount Pictures and Sega of America, Inc.Lee Majdoub as Agent Stone, Tails (Colleen O’Shaughnessey), Sonic (Ben Schwartz) and Knuckles (Idris Elba) in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 from Paramount Pictures and Sega of America, Inc.
Keanu Reeves as John Wick in John Wick: Chapter 4. Photo Credit: Murray Close
I’m guessing that a lot of action blockbuster movies aficionados have been thinking that the multiplexes have been pretty quiet this year so far. I mean the second AVATAR swam in just before the end of 2022. As usual, the Winter has seen lots of horror thrillers, plus a couple of superheroes swooped in for the latest installment of their respective franchises. Ah, now there’s another franchise that brings a smile to the “big stunt spectacle” film fans. The fellow at the tentpole’s forefront doesn’t have a “tech suit” or a sculpted rubber and cape ensemble. No sir, though his fighting attire is a simple black suit, filled with a massive arsenal. His skill is his “super-power”, as we turn the cinematic page to JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4.
As the film opens the air (and the theatre’s audio system) vibrates from the pounding fists of Mr. Wick (Keanu Reeves) as he trains in the underground lair of his old pal, the Bowery King (Lawrence Fishburne). From there JW is dispatching the head of The Table in a quiet desert. But that assassin agency is tough to stop. Like the hydra of legend, another head pops up to take the last one’s place. Back in NYC at the sanctuary hotel, the Continental, manager Winston (Ian McShane) is startled by the arrival of the Harbinger (Clancy Brown), who orders the place to be evacuated in an hour’s time. With the aid of the concierge Charon (Lance Reddick), it is done. But Winston’s remaining “muscle’ is no match for the crew that serves and protects the High Table’s new head, the Marquis (Bill Skarsgard). He strips Winston of his duties and plans to demolish the establishment. The story shifts to Paris where the Marquis extorts a former agent, the blind assassin and friend of Wick, Caine (Donnie Yen) to track down his pal. But it turns out that he’s at the Continental…in Osaka, Japan. John is in hiding, under the protection of Koji (Hiroyuki Sanada), much to the ire of his daughter, the concierge Akira (Rina Sawayama). But the battle comes there as Caine, the Marquis’ elite guard, and a “freelancer” named Tracker (Shamier Anderson) attack. When their effects fail, Wick meets with Winston in NYC to hatch a plan. In order to earn his freedom, Wick will challenge the Marquis to a one-on-one”old-fashioned” duel. But Wick must be part of a “family” and since his “paper was torn” he must go to Berlin and be “reinstated” by the Ruska Roma. All of those “frequent flyer” miles finish on the streets of Paris as a city-wide chaotic war of skilled killers concludes with a final showdown at dawn.
Whew! talk about “workin’ hard for the money” (I can almost hear Donna Summer crooning)! With his fourth outing in the tile role, Reeves proves himself to truly be a “man of action”, due to his stoic, very rare, line delivery. Actually, he may have less dialogue in this over the entire quartet of flicks. But yes, those actions speak volumes, whether he’s scoping out a plan of attack, or giving a look of aggravation as he tosses away another empty ammo cartridge (imagine if he got a “return deposit” on them, like the old soda pop bottles…oh the dough). Oh, but Skarsgard feels almost “chatty” as this story’s evil mastermind as he tries to temper a sadistic grin, while his evil eyes dart about, keeping everyone around “off balance”. He has the posture and manners of a fancy gentleman but inside lurks a rabid beast. The greatest addition to the series is Yen, as the reluctant nemesis. He relies even more on body language as his non-functional eyes are shielded by a pair of dark shades. Yen reserves his movement until he has a “purpose” and a “target” (that “head tilt” is the “go signal”). McShane is still silky smooth as Winston, though he’s placed more in the “center of the storm” here with everything to lose. He and the late, much-missed Reddick as Charot are a terrific team. And McShane is a nice counterpart to the boisterous flamboyant Fishburne as Wick’s “corner man” (or Alfred to JW’s Dark Knight). Other “newbies” of note are Anderson’s “dinero-driven” Tracker, who loves his bank statements as much as his loyal canine sidekick, Sawayama as the hotel (and Daddy) defender Akira, and Brown as the somber solemn Harbinger.
To call this an action extravaganza would be a true understatement. It certainly subverts the old “law of diminishing returns” with sequels. By the time most franchises get to the fourth entry, they’re usually showing signs of fatigue. With this new outing they really want to give the fans lots (and I mean lots) of bangs (and fights and explosions and chases) for their bucks. Plus this may be the most “globe-hopping” of the series, rivaling the Bonds and Bournes, and Impossible Mission teams for the far-flung locales. The mayhem begins in the Big Apple, shifts to Japan, then to Berlin, before giving the “City of Light” a chance to shine, making the cinema setting feel fresh and replacing romance with danger lurking just past every bistro. “Upping the ante” considerably is returning director Chad Stahelski who gives the chaos a lush gleam via the expert showcasing of the exotic exteriors and interiors, from the palace of the Marquis to the neon cool of the Osaka hotel, to a stadium-sized techno dance hall bathed in glistening non-stop rain. Of course, as the carnage continues, the authorities are nearly non-existent, perhaps due to the power of the High Table, eh? Well, that’s a bit “nitpicky” since the legions of fans (are they Wick-warriors) will be ecstatic (and yes the “head shots” are staggering). I can imagine that the video storyboards for the stunt sequences were more intricate than most animated features. Big colossal kudos to the army of superb stunt people whose coordination and physicality rival all the dancers in the MAGIC MIKE trilogy. And praise must be given to the sound team (sitting in the back row I felt as though the vibrations gave me a nice “spine treatment” as a bonus). Sure, you may want to question the “physical endurance’ of the title character, but set aside science and buckle up for the high-octane thrill ride that is JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4.
3.5 Out of 4
JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4 opens in theatres everywhere on Friday, March 24, 2023
BOOM! Studios has released the final issue of the record-breaking hit comic book series BRZRKR by the Keanu Reeves and NYT bestselling co-writer Matt Kindt (Folklords, Grass Kings), acclaimed artist Ron Garney (Wolverine, Captain America), colorist Bill Crabtree (BPRD), and letterer Clem Robins (Hellboy).
Concluding in BRZRKR #12, the groundbreaking original series is finally here! Caldwell’s master plan is revealed, setting up one final showdown with B. and Diana. At the end of all things, the immortal warrior finds himself faced with a challenge that even he might not endure. And if he does succeed… what will remain of him when there are no more battles left to fight?
Reeves was on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon to talk JOHN WICK 4. During the interview (starting at the 3:06) the two discuss the final issue of the comic book. When asked about a movie by Jimmy Fallon, Reeves has some interesting news about a possible BRZRKR film:
:Jimmy Fallon: “When are we seeing this movie? I want to see this! Come on! Would you make this into a movie?
Keanu Reeves: “Yeah, that would be fun.”
JF: “Yeah -Would you direct it?”
KR: “Mm. I don’t know. I don’t know. We tried to shop it around, and then Netflix said, Hey, do you want to make it with us?” And I was like, “Sure.” And then so we’re going to try and make that happen.”
JF: “Whoa! I love it!”
BRZRKR #12 features main and variant cover art by series artist Garney with Crabtree and variant covers by Matt Kindt and highly acclaimed artists Alex Maleev (Scarlet), Boss Logic (Eternals), Jerome Opena (Seven to Eternity), and Rafael Grampá (The Dark Knight Returns: The Golden Child).
Director Chad Stahelski and Keanu Reeves surprised the audience during a Q&A following a special screening of “John Wick: Chapter 4” during the 2023 SXSW Conference and Festival at The Paramount Theater on March 13, 2023 in Austin, Texas.
The LA Times reports of the screening “The marquee outside Austin’s Paramount Theatre may have read “Baba Yaga” before the screening, but the packed, frenzied audience all knew what they were there to see.”
Variety: “John Wick: Chapter 4” is 2 hours and 49 minutes long, but it has a story that, if it were told more briskly, could fit into an 83-minute potboiler that you might have seen in a grindhouse in 1977. Yet the way that Chad Stahelski, the series’ stuntman-turned-director, has staged it, full of hushed, portentous, ritualistic verbal showdowns that are meant to be hypnotic as they build up to each new action scene, “Chapter 4” feels like the first “John Wick” movie that wants to be a Clint Eastwood spaghetti Western. It’s like Sergio Leone crossed with John Woo as seen in Times Square.
Cinemablend: John Wick: Chapter 4 earns every second of its epic runtime, and there’s a strong argument to be made that it’s the best of the sequels.
Freshfiction: it’s an overwhelmingly excellent cacophony of bone-breaking, muscle car smashing and crowd-pleasing spills and thrills.
The Wrap: “John Wick 4” barrels along with charming idiosyncrasy. Even when it drags — 169 minutes is a lot of time to fill, even for this masterful crew — the film gamely mixes comedy, action, and drama into one truly satisfying cocktail.
UPROXX: Goes out as easily the best of the series and a contender for one of the best pure action movies in recent history if not ever made. It’s so good I really kind of hope they end on this. I truly don’t think it can be topped.
The Hollywood Reporter: Director Chad Stahelski, who helmed all the previous films, and his formidable stunt team have outshone their previous work, and that’s saying something. These sequences play like the great dance numbers in old MGM musicals, complete with incredibly complicated, lengthy continuous shots that feature the full bodies of the performers rather than kinetically edited snippets of a gun here or a limb there. They’re so virtuosic you practically want to stand up and applaud when each one is over.
John Wick (Keanu Reeves) uncovers a path to defeating the High Table. But before he can earn his freedom, Wick must face off against a new enemy with powerful alliances across the globe and forces that turn old friends into foes. Stars Keanu Reeves, Donnie Yen, Bill Skarsgård, Laurence Fishburne, Hiroyuki Sanada, Shamier Anderson, Lance Reddick, Rina Sawayama, Scott Adkins, and Ian McShane.
The new film of the JOHN WICK franchise opens in theaters March 24.
Asked about his favorite scene in the movie, Reeves chose a quiet character moment near the end, where Wick remembers his dead wife, “After eight years of playing the role … that was really special,” Reeves said. “And also just making the film after a few years, coming back to see Ian McShane and Laurence [Fishburne] and to work with this man again” — he said, gesturing to Stahelski — “it’s almost like the beginning, like the alpha and the omega and everything in between.”
Stahleski added, “For me it was the first day Keanu came on set. He had the suit back on and it was the first time we were back together in three years. So it was pretty special.”
AUSTIN, TEXAS – MARCH 13: Keanu Reeves (L) and Chad Stahelski attend a special screening of “John Wick: Chapter 4” during the 2023 SXSW Conference and Festival at The Paramount Theater on March 13, 2023 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Rick Kern/Getty Images for Lionsgate)
Fans can be excited over the other JW projects. A television series around “The Continental” hotel and a film called “Ballerina,” starring Ana de Armas are in production, with Reeves making a cameo in “Ballerina”.
So will there be a 5th film? THR reports in an interview with the director “In our minds, Keanu and I are done for the moment. We’re going to give John Wick a rest. I’m sure the studio has a plan. If everyone loves it and it goes kooky, then we’ll take a quiet minute. Wicks always, for some weird reason, always get the latest release date in Japan. It’s always like, three months later. If it’s the same this time, we’ll do a Japanese tour and release the movie in September. Keanu and I will take the long trip to Tokyo, we’ll sit in the Imperial Hotel Scotch Bar and go, “What do you think?” We’ll have a couple 20-year-old whiskies and write some ideas on napkins. If those ideas stick, maybe we’ll make a movie.”
AUSTIN, TEXAS – MARCH 13: (L-R) Nathan Kahane, Keanu Reeves, Joe Drake, Erica Lee, Chad Stahelski, Brady Fujikawa, and Jason Constantine attend a special screening of “John Wick: Chapter 4” during the 2023 SXSW Conference and Festival at The Paramount Theater on March 13, 2023 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Rick Kern/Getty Images for Lionsgate)
Opening only in theaters and IMAX on March 24 is the highly anticipated JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4. John Wick (Keanu Reeves) uncovers a path to defeating the High Table. But before he can earn his freedom, Wick must face off against a new enemy with powerful alliances across the globe and forces that turn old friends into foes. Starring Keanu Reeves, Donnie Yen, Bill Skarsgård, Laurence Fishburne, Hiroyuki Sanada, Shamier Anderson, Lance Reddick, Rina Sawayama, Scott Adkins, and Ian McShane.
Deadline is reporting the fourth chapter is “tracking today with a robust projection between $60M-$70M in what would rep the highest opening stateside for the Keanu Reeves R-rated franchise.” https://deadline.com/2023/03/john-wick-chapter-4-box-office-keanu-reeves-1235276778/
Check out this interview with Keanu Reeves and director Chad Stahelski.
WAMG is giving away free passes to the advance screening in the St. Louis area. Tuesday, March 14th.
EMAIL michelle@wearemoviegeeks.com to enter.
WINNER WILL BE CHOSEN FROM ALL QUALIFYING ENTRIES. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY
The screening will be filled on a first come first served basis, so we encourage you to arrive early. Seats will not be guaranteed.
Directed by Chad Stahelski. Written by Shay Hatten and Michael Finch. Based on Characters Created by Derek Kolstad.
John Wick (Keanu Reeves) takes on his most lethal adversaries yet in the upcoming fourth installment of the series. With the price on his head ever increasing, Wick takes his fight against the High Table global as he seeks out the most powerful players in the underworld, from New York to Paris to Osaka to Berlin.
The highly anticipated Lionsgate film stars Donnie Yen, Bill Skarsgård, Laurence Fishburne, Hiroyuki Sanada, Shamier Anderson, Lance Reddick, Rina Sawayama, Scott Adkins, and Ian McShane.
Keanu Reeves as John Wick in John Wick: Chapter 4. Photo Credit: Murray Close
The epic conclusion to the groundbreaking original series BRZRKR is finally here and its an amazing series. I highly recommend it, especially the BRZRKR Variant Covers, as each issues has been engrossing from start to end. Print copies of BRZRKR #11 will be available for sale today, December 21.
BOOM! Studios today announced the final issue of the record-breaking hit comic book series BRZRKR by the iconic Keanu Reeves and NYT bestselling co-writer Matt Kindt (Folklords, Grass Kings), acclaimed artist Ron Garney (Wolverine, Captain America), colorist Bill Crabtree (BPRD), and letterer Clem Robins (Hellboy). Discover the shocking and epic conclusion to this global hit series in BRZRKR #12, unfolding the final chapter of the story that’s sold over a million copies, this March 2023!
Reeves said recently in the latest video: Berserker was originally envisioned as a 12 issue series but the story the world of course be himself have evolved in ways that I could only have dreamed of when we first started as we close this first chapter you won’t have to wait long to dive even deeper into the expanding mythology of the series with an official novel a feature film an anime series and yes even more comics on the way in the not too distant future.
Caldwell’s master plan is revealed, setting up one final showdown with B. and Diana. At the end of all things, the immortal warrior finds himself faced with a challenge that even he might not endure. And if he does succeed… what will remain of him when there are no more battles left to fight?
Watch the interview with Jimmy Kimmel and listen to Reeves’ passion about the comic book and being a NERD!
BRZRKR #12 features main and variant cover art by series artist Garney and series writer Kindt, as well as variant covers by highly acclaimed artists Alex Maleev (Daredevil) and internet sensation BossLogic (Ninja Funk).
Volumes 1 and 2 are available now.
BRZRKR is the newest release from BOOM! Studios’ eponymous imprint, home to critically acclaimed original series, including Something is Killing the Children by James Tynion IV and Werther Dell’Edera, Once & Future by Kieron Gillen and Dan Mora; We Only Find Them When They’re Dead by Al Ewing and Simone Di Meo; Eve by Victor LaValle and Jo Mi-Gyeong; The Many Deaths of Laila Starr by Ram V and Filipe Andrade; Wynd by James Tynion IV and Michael Dialynas; Grim by Stephanie Phillips and Flaviano; Briar by Christopher Cantwell and Germán García; Stuff of Nightmares by R.L. Stine and A.L. Kaplan; The Approach by Jeremy Haun, Jason A. Hurley, and Jesus Hervas; Damn Them All by Simon Spurrier and Charlie Adlard; Behold, Behemoth by Tate Brombal and Nick Robles; Specs by David M. Booher and Chris Shehan; and the upcoming Once Upon a Time at the End of the World by Jason Aaron, Alexandre Tefenkgi, Leila del Duca, and Nick Dragotta; Know Your Station by Sarah Gailey and Liana Kangas; A Vicious Circle by Mattson Tomlin and Lee Bermejo; Mosely by Rob Guillory and Sam Lotfi, and Harrower by Justin Jordan and Brahm Revel. The imprint also publishes popular licensed properties, including Dune: House Harkonnen from Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson, and Michael Shelfer; Mighty Morphin Power Rangers from Melissa Flores and Simona Di Gianfelice; and Magic from Jed McKay, Rich Douek, and Ig Guara.
Print copies of the oversized BRZRKR #12 will be available for sale in March 2023 exclusively at local comic book shops (use comicshoplocator.com to find the nearest one) or at the BOOM! Studios webstore. Digital copies can be purchased from content providers, including comiXology, iBooks, Google Play, and Kindle.
In the film, John Wick (Keanu Reeves) uncovers a path to defeating the High Table. But before he can earn his freedom, Wick must face off against a new enemy with powerful alliances across the globe and forces that turn old friends into foes.
In theaters & IMAX on March 24, JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4 stars Keanu Reeves, Donnie Yen, Bill Skarsgård, Laurence Fishburne, Hiroyuki Sanada, Shamier Anderson, Lance Reddick, Rina Sawayama, Scott Adkins, and Ian McShane.
Keanu Reeves as John Wick and Donnie Yen as Caine in John Wick 4. Photo Credit: Murray Close
Check out the brand new trailer for JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4.
John Wick (Keanu Reeves) uncovers a path to defeating The High Table. But before he can earn his freedom, Wick must face off against a new enemy with powerful alliances across the globe and forces that turn old friends into foes.
The film stars Keanu Reeves, Donnie Yen, Bill Skarsgård, Laurence Fishburne, Hiroyuki Sanada, Shamier Anderson, Lance Reddick, Rina Sawayama, Scott Adkins, and Ian McShane.
Directed by Chad Stahelski, written by Shay Hatten and Michael Finch and based on characters created by Derek Kolstad, JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4 opens in theaters March 24.
It was announced in early November Prime Video will launch The Continental, the highly anticipated special event series based on the blockbuster action franchise John Wick. The prequel is produced by Lionsgate Television, and will be exclusively available to Prime Video members worldwide excluding the U.S., Middle East and Israel in 2023.
The Continental is told from the perspective of the hotel manager, portrayed by Ian McShane in the film franchise – a young Winston Scott, played by Colin Woodell (The Flight Attendant). Throughout the series, viewers will follow Winston through the underworld of ’70’s New York, where he will battle demons from his past as he attempts to seize control of the iconic hotel – a hotel that serves as a meeting point for the world’s most dangerous criminals.
Woodell is joined by Mel Gibson (Braveheart), as Cormac; Ayomide Adegun (The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes), who will portray a young Charon (based on the character portrayed by Lance Reddick); Ben Robson (Vikings) as Frankie; Hubert Point-Du Jour (Dr. Death) as Miles; Jessica Allain (The Laundromat) playing Lou; Mishel Prada (Vida) as KD; Nhung Kate (The Housemaid) as Yen; and Peter Greene (Training Day), who dons the fedora of Uncle Charlie (based on the tight-lipped body disposal expert).
The John Wick films have grossed nearly $600 million worldwide to date, with each film outperforming its predecessor.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – JULY 22: Keanu Reeves speaks onstage during “Collider”: Directors on Directing Panel at Comic-Con at San Diego Convention Center on July 22, 2022 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jerod Harris/Getty Images for Lionsgate)
Fans of JOHN WICK got a first look at the teaser for the upcoming fourth installment of the franchise during San Diego Comic Con 2022 over the weekend.
John Wick (Keanu Reeves) takes on his most lethal adversaries yet in the upcoming fourth installment of the series. With the price on his head ever increasing, Wick takes his fight against the High Table global as he seeks out the most powerful players in the underworld, from New York to Paris to Osaka to Berlin.
Reeves surprised fans during “Collider”: Directors On Directing Panel and told fans about what fans will see in the movie.
Lionsgate will release JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4 in theaters on March 24, 2023.
Directed by Chad Stahelski, based on characters created by Derek Kolstad, JOHN WICK 4 stars Keanu Reeves, Donnie Yen, Bill Skarsgård, Laurence Fishburne, Hiroyuki Sanada, Shamier Anderson, Lance Reddick, Rina Sawayama, Scott Adkins, and Ian McShane.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – JULY 22: (L-R) Chad Stahelski and Keanu Reeves speak onstage during “Collider”: Directors On Directing Panel At Comic-Con at San Diego Convention Center on July 22, 2022 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jerod Harris/Getty Images for Lionsgate)
