Based mostly on the deafening cheers that shook the partitions of the Paramount Theater in Austin, Texas on Monday, the SXSW Movie Pageant premiere of “John Wick: Chapter 4” was a rousing success — and that’s earlier than the movie had even began. All it took was star Keanu Reeves to step on stage on the behest of director Chad Stahelski for the 1,000-plus viewers to erupt in unbridled enthusiasm.
That fervor by no means waned all through the movie’s epic two-hour-and-49-minute runtime, with booming ovations following the prodigious motion sequences in Osaka, Berlin and Paris — and vocal gasps after a number of main twists.
Stepping onto the stage after the screening, Reeves and Stahelski each appeared pleasantly shell-shocked by the raucous reception.
“You guys are wonderful,” Reeves stated. “Thanks for that have. You guys are fucking superior.”
Added Stahelski, “This is likely one of the greatest audiences of all time.”
Reporting on the remainder of the post-screening Q&A, nevertheless, is a little bit of a problem, because the dialog at occasions drifted into severe spoiler territory — together with Reeves’ reply for his favourite second within the film, which elicited a refrain of “Awwwws” from the viewers.
Stahelski’s reply was, at the least, spoiler-free: “It was the primary day Keanu got here on set,” he stated. “He had the go well with again on and it was the primary time we have been again collectively in three years. So it was fairly particular.”
Like each different “John Wick” movie, “Chapter 4” is steeped in baroquely staged and choreographed battle scenes, together with one which unfolds in a single unbroken take which Stahelski stated took per week to movie. Then Reeves minimize in: “And months and months of planning and coaching.”
A lot of the Q&A concerned viewers members launching into prolonged tributes to the movie’s star. One individual requested Reeves if he ever ages.
“Yeah man, I age,” he replied wearily. “I actually — I age. It’s taking place, man.”
After Reeves stated he saved Wick’s watch and marriage ceremony ring from the earlier films, somebody shouted, “I’ll marry you!”
“Yeah, watch out what you want for,” Reeves replied.
One other individual yelled “Convey again ‘Constantine’,” referencing Reeves’ beloved 2005 DC adaptation.
“I’m making an attempt, man,” the actor stated with a sigh.
One of many remaining questions got here from somebody who, appropriately, had a pet with him, who requested if Reeves was planning to look within the upcoming “John Wick” spin-offs, together with the sequence “The Continental,” as a consequence of premiere on Peacock later this 12 months, and “Ballerina” starring Ana de Armas.
Each Reeves and Stahelski appeared uncertain of learn how to reply.
“Uh, unsure but,” the director stated, adopted instantly by a tentative “No” from Reeves — who then contradicted himself. “I’ve a cameo in ‘Ballerina,’ that’s true.”
“John Wick: Chapter 4” will open in theaters on March 24.
