Summary
John Wick: Chapter 4tactical weapons trainer and designer Taran Butler has explained how Keanu Reeves' wild new pistol was invented specifically for the action movie. Reeves' titular character uses a variety ofweapons in theJohn Wickmovies, including a multitude of shotguns, knives, and pistols. One pistol in particular is the Pit Viper, which is given to him by the Bowery King prior to the final action sequence of the movie. He ends up using it during the giant final battle, becoming one of his main weapons.
Speaking withCorridor Crewin a video about Hollywood stunts,Butler explained the process behind creating the Pit Viper specifically forJohn Wick: Chapter 4.
Starting at 1:03, the weapons trainer and designer speaks about the different weapons made for the franchise, including a shotgun inChapter 4that shoots Dragon’s Breath bullets. But the real highlight was the pistol, which acts as both a regular gun, as well as a blade, which John utilizes while fighting in the movie. Check out some of what Butler had to say below:
The gun has blades on the frame here, so if you take the slide off, it’s a knife. At the top of the staircase, he runs out of his six mags, takes the slide off, tracheotomies a guy in the throat. It’s a pretty fast scene, you kinda have to watch it slower. Every single thing on the gun has been fine-tuned to shoot faster, shoot softer, be more reliable, and hold more rounds. It already got two national titles under its belt before the movie came out.
John Wick’s Weapons Are A Highlight Of The Action Franchise
Lots Of Guns Make For Exciting Movies
TheJohn Wickmoviesare centered around their action sequences, with its main character and his allies using a variety of weapons to take down hordes of villains throughout every new installment. Each one also increases the stakes by having larger action scenes transpire every time. Because of just how important everything from blades to guns are in the series, it’s no surprise that many weapons included in the movies have been modified or outright created.The Pit Viper is one of the more impressive additionsbecause of its versatility.
Without the unique weapons made for the franchise,John’s action-packed exploits wouldn’t be as memorable. While his skills with regular pistols, shotguns, and an assortment of other weapons make for some exciting scenes, guns that are unique to the franchise help it stand out within the action genre. This is especially true forJohn Wick: Chapter 4’s ending, which sees him with both the Pit Viper and the modified shotgun Butler also speaks about. Without these elements, the grand finale wouldn’t have been as satisfying.
Because of how big a staple unique weapons are to the series, the movies expected to come out afterJohn Wick: Chapter 4should embrace something similar with their own action sequences. Future installments could stand out from other action movies while maintaining elements of previous films in the process. Since the franchise has plans to expand going forward,the types of weapons that could show up are varied and unpredictable- but will definitely be highlights of the next movies.
The next film in theJohn Wickfranchise isBallerina, scheduled for release on July 13, 2025.
John Wick: Chapter 4
Cast
Following the events of Chapter 3 - Parabellum, John Wick Chapter 4 will see the titular character battle against some of his most dangerous foes yet. With a bounty on his head that continues to skyrocket, John decides to take the fight to the High Table on a global scale and battles across areas like Osaka and Paris to wipe out some of the strongest players in the underworld.
