Like any other year, the biggest movies of 2016 are already looking to be sequels primarily, fromCaptain America: Civil WarandX-Men: ApocalypsetoBourne 5andZoolander 2. Of the few that have a strong possibility of not disappointing, however, very few are in the same wheelhouse asJohn Wick 2, the anticipated follow-up to one of 2014’s best and biggest surprises. Anticipation for the second installment of the stylishKeanu Reeves-led action series has hit a peak, withBridget MoynahanandIan McShanereturning to their roles, and new cast membersRuby Rose,Peter Stormare, andCommonsuiting up to face Wick’s wrath. And now, we have confirmation that the greatLaurence Fishburnewill be making some sort of appearance in the sequel in an undisclosed role.
Fishburne’s involvement was announced via a picture on Reeves' Twitter page, in which the formerHannibalco-star seems to be done-up in a homeless-looking wardrobe, with several layers of coats covering him; you’re able to check out the tweet below. Maybe he’s just really cold? There’s no word as to who his character is or what his relationship to the titular hard-to-kill hitman will be, but the reuniting of Fishburne and Reeves is a potent hit of nostalgia for fans ofThe Matrix, and the two performers in general.
Reeves has seen a major boost in his workload as of late, and 2016 brings not onlyJohn Wick 2but alsoAna Lily Armapour’sThe Bad Batch, the talented filmmaker’s follow-up toA Girl Walks Home Alone at Night, andNicholas Winding Refn’s anticipatedThe Neon Demon, to name just two. Meanwhile, Fishburne will be appearing in the not-great-lookingBatman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and is currently filming both the upcomingRootsmini-series andMorten Tyldum’sPassengers, the director’s follow-up toThe Imitation Game, starringJennifer LawrenceandChris Pratt. These are major-label works by major directors, but it’s just as exciting and reassuring to see both to make time for a compact, all-force B-movie likeJohn Wickas possible Oscar and Golden Globes contenders.
