John Wick Directors Discuss Controversial Dog Scene

In a recent interview celebrating the 10th anniversary of 'John Wick,' directors Chad Stahelski and David Leitch revealed that the film almost had an alternate ending where the protagonist's puppy, Daisy, survived, instead of being killed by a mobster. The studio initially pressured them against including the dog's death, labeling it as 'bad luck' and fearing it would alienate audiences. Stahelski defended their choice, arguing that the emotional weight of the dog’s death was essential for the character's journey back into the assassin world. Ultimately, it was Keanu Reeves and producer Basil Iwanyk who supported the directors, leading the studio to agree to their creative vision. The film became a surprise hit, affirming the directors' belief that genre films require hard-hitting emotional moments. Additionally, they faced other creative challenges, such as the character's beard, which they insisted on including despite studio pushback.