John Wick has largely dominated the world of action movies in recent times. The franchise created by Derek Kolstad has amassed a large number of fans worldwide. It boasts some of the most brutal and iconic action set pieces. According to trusted reports, the assassin played by Keanu Reeves has a decorated kill count of 439 throughout four installments. While it may sound impressive, there’s another Hollywood action icon who overshadows the assassin with ease- John J. Rambo.
Sylvester Stallone’s Rambo is considered one of the most renowned action franchises and played a crucial role in the career of the Rocky fame actor. The franchise centering on the merciless war veteran also has a huge number of fans who love John Rambo. But the appreciation only increases when we realize that Stallone’s character has an even more remarkable kill count than our John Wick.
John Wick is nothing compared to John Rambo
The neon gritty and violent world of the John Wick franchise is what makes it praiseworthy. The action sequences are extremely well choreographed and the movie boasts some of the most impressive depictions of brutality. This has led the movie to depict frequent combat scenes and merciless killings.
After the movies were carefully analyzed, it was realized that the first installment had a total of 77 kills whereas Chapter 2 took the mark higher up to 128. The killing spree took a short break when it showed 94 in Chapter 3: Parabellum. Despite not being poor, the figure is not as impressive as Chapters 2 or 4. The recently released John Wick: Chapter 4 led the Keanu Reeves character to kill around 140 people in the movie thereby taking the franchise total to 439.
But astonishingly, it is nothing compared to John Rambo from the Sylvester Stallone franchise who has a total of around 552 kills given the fact that the first movie only has one on-screen death.
It is impressive how First Blood started it slow in 1982 but it only elevated over the years and the merciless war veteran took as many as over 500 lives through five films in the franchise. From only one accidental kill in the first movie, Sylvester Stallone’s character drove the graph high by taking the number to 75 in the sequel.
Even though the numbers speak in favor of John Rambo, it is to be noted that John Wick’s count might rise more in the future after the makers have repeatedly assured a fifth installment. On top of it, the Keanu Reeves character’s appearance in the spin-off can be a nice icing on the cake.
John Wick is yet to stop so soon
Although the ending of the latest movie in the franchise suggested that the assassin might have been dead in the franchise, the producers were keen enough to ensure another addition. Soon after John Wick: Chapter 4 turned out to be a smashing hit, the makers announced that they were not yet done with the franchise. It would happen as soon as Chad Stahelski and Keanu Reeves come together with a proper plan.
As per producer Basil Iwanyk’s statement to Deadline, the director and the actor would go on a trip to Japan this month to discuss the upcoming John Wick project over whiskey.
“Once they get through their hangovers, if Keanu and Chad have figured out something cool, if they’ve an organic way back in that doesn’t feel like bulls–t, then there will be a ‘John Wick 5’.That trip to Japan, it’s like waiting for a boat to emerge out of the smoke, but that’s the impetus.”
Despite the expectations being high for an upcoming Keanu Reeves project, it is also to be remembered that it will take time to release. In the meantime, we can hope John Wick raises his kill count with his special appearance in the upcoming Ballerina starring Ana de Armas. The movie is set to be set between the events of Chapters 3 and 4 and is scheduled to be released on June 7, 2024.
The John Wick movies can be streamed on Peacock while the Rambo movies can be rented on Apple TV+.
Source: Screen Rant / Deadline
