Keanu Reeves headlined the sleeper John Wick two years ago, introducing an action-packed yarn centering around a former hitman. The film, while modestly scaled, became a quiet little sleeper grossing nearly $90 million worldwide on a shoestring budget. It was enough for a sequel, again directed by stunt veteran-turned-filmmaker Chad Stahelski. The first teaser trailer for John Wick: Chapter 2 has now dropped, first released as part a package at New York Comic-Con.
The second installment finds Reeves, in cinematic tradition, forced out of retirement to face off against some of deadliest killers in the world; the city of Rome serves as the backdrop. Ian McShane (Deadwood), Ruby Rose (Orange is New Black), Bridget Moynahan (Battle: Los Angeles), Peter Stormare (22 Jump Street), Laurence Fishburne (Batman v Superman), John Leguizamo (Sisters), Thomas Sadowski (I Smile Back) and Common (Selma) round out the impressive ensemble cast. Lionsgate is unveiling an ambitious marketing hook for John Wick as well – the distributor is setting up a virtual reality game to coincide with the film’s impending release. Reeves, last seen on screens in Nicholas Winding Refn’s The Neon Demon, will soon be seen in The Whole Truth as well as The Bad Batch.
John Wick: Chapter 2 hits theaters on February 10, 2017. Check out the first trailer below: