The John Wick franchise continues to dominate both the silver screen and streaming platforms, bringing together action enthusiasts and community passion projects. The latest entry to the universe, the film Seraphim, was entirely shot in Colorado Springs and has drawn comparisons to the iconic series. Local directors Adrian Bennett and Elena Henry spearheaded the project, showcasing what can be accomplished when cinema meets community collaboration.
On December 18, 2024, Bennett and Henry discussed the motivation behind Seraphim on Loving Living Local. "Keeping everything local wasn’t just practical—it was intentional," Bennett stated, emphasizing their desire to support local businesses and talent. The film, created with zero budget constraints, relied heavily on the generosity and collaboration of the local community. Local stores provided props and restaurants catered meals for the cast and crew, reflecting the filmmakers' pride in showcasing Colorado Springs.
The directors were committed to eleving the action sequences, collaborating with the Rising Star Stunt Team from New Mexico. Stunt Coordinator Gary Choi played a pivotal role, not only choreographing the stunts but also training the actors, showcasing authenticity and skill. Henry noted, "One standout aspect was the work done with our youngest actress, Lilliana Henry, who was just 10 years old during filming...Gary taught the choreography to reflect this unique fighting style, and Lilliana’s dedication shines on screen." This dedication has not gone unnoticed, as the film gears up for its red carpet premiere on January 18, 2024.
Meanwhile, the mainstay of the franchise, Keanu Reeves, is set to return as the titular character once again. Following the success of the previous installments, enthusiasts are eager for John Wick: Chapter 4. Scheduled for broadcast on December 22, 2024, the franchise has also announced The Continental, set 40 years prior, which delves deep behind the scenes of the shadowy world of assassins and was recently launched as a miniseries.
With John Wick: Chapter 4’s early indicators of success, fans celebrated Reeves' portrayal of the character, who has proven to endure challenges! Keanu himself mentioned, "The future of the series is not decided," creating waves of speculation among insiders and fans alike about how much more story remains to be told about Wick's violent escapades.
On the fan front, there’s been another notable mention. The action thriller Marco, with Unni Mukundan taking on the lead role, opened to strong numbers, pulling in nearly ₹9 crores (around $1.2 million) at the box office in its first two days. Critically recognized for its slick action scenes and engaging storytelling paralleling the violence often showcased within the John Wick universe, it managed to collect ₹4.29 crores on opening day and was seen as potentially challenging other notable releases like Mohanlal's Barroz, set to premiere soon.
With its vibrant storytelling and dense action choreography, Marco is receiving comparisons to films like Animal and Kill, known for their intense violence which seems to resonate well with the audience who crave adrenaline-pumping sequences. Reportedly, Marco stands out as one of the most violent films to emerge from the Indian cinema, capturing the attention of action lovers.
This ever-evolving space involves audiences familiar with one another - the action genre fans who utterly devote time to dissecting visuals and performances, be it from Hollywood, Indian cinema, or community efforts like Seraphim. The inclusion of bold narratives from diverse storytelling regions not only enriches the genre but also enhances community engagement with cinema.
Filmmaking continues to intersect with culture as projects like Seraphim take definitive steps to unify community efforts and uphold independent voices within filmmaking. The pledges from directors to provide representation, highlight local talent and culture encapsulate their relevance as creators committed to supporting their locales.
With Keanu Reeves paving the way as the face of the action genre and local filmmakers channeling authentic talents, the John Wick legacy persists as both events unfurl at box offices worldwide and inspire new storytellers to engage audiences within their own communities. While fans look forward to the next gunfight and high-octane sequences, independent films like Seraphim remind the world where it all began - through cooperation, celebration, and community.
