An in-depth interview with Stunt Coordinator and 2nd Unit Director SCOTT ROGERS talking the action, stunts, and storytelling of JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4.
Veteran stuntman SCOTT ROGERS is one of the best in the business. Over the past 30+ years, he has honed his skills and expertise to become one of the most sought-after stunt coordinators and 2nd Unit Directors in the business, working with some of the biggest stars and on some of the biggest action films and franchises in the world, including the “John Wick” franchise and most recently, JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4. Teaming up with director Chad Stahelski and Keanu Reeves on “John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum” and now JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4, their work is a true collaboration from script to screen. As with each of the JOHN WICK films, Stahelski continually ups the ante with each element of the production, going bigger and better than the film before. And when it comes to JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4, this is as big as it gets from a multi-faceted and multi-disciplined action-stunt perspective.
SYNOPSIS: John Wick uncovers a path to defeating The High Table. But before he can earn his freedom, Wick must face off against a new enemy with powerful alliances across the globe and forces that turn old friends into foes.
JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4 is directed by Chad Stahelski with script by Shay Hatten and Michael Finch based on characters by Derek Kolstad and stars Keanu Reeves, Ian McShane, Lance Reddick, Laurence Fishburne, Donnie Yen, Clancy Brown, Scott Adkins, among others.
Always a joy to speak with anyone in the stunt community, this exclusive interview with SCOTT ROGERS is particularly insightful into the collaborative process and Chad Stahelski’s approach to storytelling and integrated action with the John Wick franchise. Action and stunts are an integral part of the story construct itself and not something is gratuitously thrown into the mix just because it looks cool. Scott breaks it all down for us as we go in-depth into his work as Stunt Coordinator, 2nd Unit Director and the stunts/action themselves, including:
- the overall approach to stunts and action in John Wick films
- the benefit of a director like Chad Stahelski who came up in the industry as a stuntman and moving into direction, giving Chad a knowledge of the physicality and mechanics of stunts and action; leads to trust and efficient execution
- filmmaking techniques working with the stunt work
- Keanu Reeves collaboration with Stahelski and Rogers with the stunts and action
- Keanu Reeves training for stunts as he does many himself
- importance of location scouting and building the story and set pieces simultaneously
- Rogers’ work as Stunt Coordinator and overseeing teams of stunt professionals from around the world; compartmentalization and coordination for seamless and safe filming experience
- breakdown of specific action sequences in JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4
- working with cinematographer Dan Laustsen and camera logistics and how that influences stunts and action sequences
- Scott Rogers’ second unit direction of the Paris car chase and the details of how the scene was planned and how the drones were used
- the dog (always a dog in a John Wick film!)
- the challenges of working with dogs in action scenes; concern is for their safety
- reflections of working on JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4 and the creative process involved in bringing the franchise’s iconic action sequences to life
- and more!
TAKE A LISTEN. . .
by debbie elias, exclusive interview 12/14/2023
