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Keanu Reeves: The Dog Lover Who Demanded a Puppy’s Death for “John Wick”
Hold onto your dog treats, folks, because this story is a wild one. Apparently, the “John Wick” movie we know and love almost had a much happier ending for the adorable pup. But guess who put a stop to that? None other than Keanu Reeves, renowned dog enthusiast!
The co-director of the first “John Wick” film, David Leitch, recently revealed that there was a lot of pushback from investors about killing off the puppy. They worried it would be “bad luck” or “bad juju,” and that it would upset the audience. But Reeves, a noted dog lover himself, passionately defended the original ending where the dog, Daisy, meets an unfortunate end. He even reportedly bonded with the dog actor, Andy, on set!
Leitch argues that people were more upset about the dog’s death than the 76 human deaths in the film, which he sees as a misunderstanding of audience reactions to violence against the innocent. But Reeves clearly understood the power of this inciting incident for John Wick’s character and the ensuing rampage. And he was right! The dog’s death became a crucial part of the film’s success, setting off a chain of events that drives the entire franchise.
It’s a fascinating look behind the scenes of one of the most popular action franchises today. And it paints a surprising picture of Keanu Reeves, a man who loves dogs, but was willing to sacrifice one for the greater good of a story. Talk about dedication to your art!
I'm Annelise, a film lover and pop culture obsessive sharing my thoughts on movies, fashion, and lifestyle on Instagram. Follow along for film reviews, book recommendations, and a healthy dose of geeking out over all things pop culture.
