In an industry obsessed with sequels and reboots, going against established norms is often a risky but rewarding approach. In 2022, Zach Cregger's "Barbarian," budgeted at $4.5 million, became a sleeper hit when its upending of horror movie tropes and unique blend of terror and comedy brought in $44 million at the box office. You would think such a stark contrast of tones would result in one undermining the other, but somehow it worked.
Eight years prior, Keanu Reeves was looking for something similarly unorthodox to jump-start his career. Since 1999's "The Matrix," he'd struggled to pick the right projects, with the blunder that was 2013's "47 Ronin" almost killing the star's career. Then, the script for "John Wick" came across his desk, and Reeves was drawn to what he referred to as a "full-blooded character" — a preternaturally skilled hitman feared by even the toughest of crime bosses. The actor praised screenwriter
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Eight years prior, Keanu Reeves was looking for something similarly unorthodox to jump-start his career. Since 1999's "The Matrix," he'd struggled to pick the right projects, with the blunder that was 2013's "47 Ronin" almost killing the star's career. Then, the script for "John Wick" came across his desk, and Reeves was drawn to what he referred to as a "full-blooded character" — a preternaturally skilled hitman feared by even the toughest of crime bosses. The actor praised screenwriter
