JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 3 Director Chad Stahelski Explains Why He's Frustrated with The Film's Test Screening

While the fans are getting excited for John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum, director Chad Stahelski is still in the process of editing the film and delivering a movie that will live up to the expectations of the fans.

The movie has already gone through some test screenings and the responses he’s been getting have been a little frustrating. Not because the movie is bad, but because the test audiences are giving the movie contradictory notes in terms of the action.

While speaking with Collider, the filmmaker explained:

"Pacing is always a really true note. There's a lot of contradictory [notes]. 'What's the best thing you like about John Wick 3?' 'We love the action! We love the action!' 'What's the [worst]?' 'Well, there's just a lot of action, a lot of action.'"

So, there’s a lot of action and some people love the action while others don’t. So, I guess it’s a matter of finding a middle ground that works for everyone. If it were up to me, though, keep as much action as you can! That’s why I love these movies!

The director goes on to explain what makes these contradictory notes so tricky for him:

"OK, so your best note and your worst note are the same thing? It's a tricky one to handle. 'We love your action, but we want you to change it. But if you change it, we may hate it.' OK, so you love all the action? 'Oh it's the best action packed movie I've ever seen! But there's too much.' OK, what do you want to cut? 'I don't know. Good luck!'"

So, just play it safe and keep the action! I enjoyed the trailer for the film that was released last week and I can’t wait to see all of the badass action and how the story for John Wick plays out.

This most likely won’t be the last time we see Keanu Reeves as John Wick. On top of the series that is being developed Stahelski has said that they have enough story ideas to keep the franchise going for years as long as the fans keep showing up to watch them.

“I enjoy making these movies because there’s no limit. We create our own mythology, and we have a studio that both stays out of our way and supports us on the wacky decisions. If people go see the movie, and it makes money, and they came back to us, Keanu and I have ideas for days. I could live here for the rest of my career. If people like it and want to watch more, I could think of way worse ways to spend your career. But, you know, we’re in the entertainment business. We’ll let the audience figure that out.”

Do you think Stahelski should cut back on the action in the final cut or deliver the cut that he initially wanted to deliver?

John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum blasts its way into theaters on May 17th.

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