Last October, a close friend persuaded me to give Fortnite a try. Despite my initial reluctance-mainly because engaging with a game popular among teenagers who haven’t yet earned their driver’s license makes me break out in hives-I finally relented. On my very first night playing, I was surprised to see John Wick appear in Fortnite‘s ever-changing cosmetic shop. It turns out, Fortnite had teamed up with the John Wick franchise to introduce a playable character modeled after the iconic Point Break star, Keanu Reeves. For just $20, I could craft an in-game avatar that resembled the vengeful antihero, complete with his signature black suit and intense stare. And so, I spent that $20 without hesitation. The thrill of having John Wick’s face in a game primarily aimed at younger audiences was worth every penny, even if my bank account suffered a bit.
Fortnite is, at its core, a chaotic online battle royale where players scavenge for weapons-mostly firearms-and eliminate each other until only one remains. It’s a high-stakes game of survival that hinges on sharp shooting skills and a dash of luck. Beyond its gameplay, Fortnite has become a fertile ground for brand collaborations. While characters like John Wick are natural fits, others like Lady Gaga, Superman, or Eleven from Stranger Things seem more like marketing afterthoughts.
However, an amusing phenomenon occurred during my quest for a victory royale: I realized that John Wick himself is out of place in this universe. Despite the gunfire and one-on-one combat, which seem tailor-made for Wick, the experience of spotting a muscular cat or a banana-costumed player through sniper scopes while playing as John Wick is downright surreal and hilarious. Mr. Wick is essentially the square peg in the round hole of Fortnite‘s vibrant, cartoonish world. I enjoyed embodying him, but the exaggerated environments made me stand out more than his sleek, black attire.
When Gaming Meets Franchise Limitations
In summary, a gaming experience that feels authentic for John Wick doesn’t necessarily translate into a genuine fit for the character. Few franchises are as welcoming to their icons as Fortnite is, but even then, there are limits. This is evident in the latest film, From the World of John Wick: Ballerina, which marks the franchise’s first theatrical spin-off. The film stars Ana de Armas as Eve, a former member of the Ruska Roma-a shadowy assassin organization that operates under the guise of a ballet company-who has trained under John Wick himself. While on her personal path for revenge, Eve finds herself in conflict with Wick, who is on his own mission in John Wick: Chapter 3. Reeves reprises his role in Ballerina, but his cameo feels more like a supporting nod than a meaningful part of the story, creating a disconnect that highlights the franchise’s struggle to maintain narrative cohesion across its spin-offs.
Evaluating Ballerina: A Franchise in Transition
Ballerina is a visually stunning action film that, despite its high production values, struggles to live up to the legacy of its predecessor. It’s a spin-off that exists in the shadow of the main series, attempting to uphold the franchise’s reputation while feeling somewhat disconnected. Ana de Armas delivers a compelling performance, showcasing her action prowess without ever feeling foolish. Fans eager for more John Wick-especially after his apparent demise in Chapter 4-will find satisfaction here. Yet, paradoxically, the film’s reliance on John Wick’s cameo underscores a troubling trend: the core hero’s mystique is fading. The franchise’s best days seem behind it, with its stars’ once-unique appeal diminishing over time.
Our society faces increasingly complex challenges, yet the refusal to accept endings remains one of the most persistent issues.
The Cultural Impact of John Wick
Looking back, it’s clear that John Wick was more than just a film-it was a cultural phenomenon. Debuting in October 2014, it became an unexpected blockbuster that revitalized Keanu Reeves’s career and redefined action cinema for the next decade. Its innovative fight choreography and gritty aesthetic captivated audiences, cementing Wick as a symbol of stoic resilience and lethal precision. No character since Clint Eastwood’s iconic roles has exuded such an enduring aura of mystique, even as the franchise expanded across multiple installments. The moment some reckless gangsters snapped Wick’s dog’s neck, the character’s legend was born, and the franchise’s momentum has only grown since.
The Endurance of the John Wick Legacy
Remarkably, the series has maintained its protagonist’s allure through four films, a feat that many other action franchises have failed to replicate. The secret lies partly in the consistent vision of director Chad Stahelski, a former stuntman who has helmed all the main entries. Unlike many Hollywood franchises that dilute their appeal over time, John Wick has evolved naturally, becoming a rare example of a cinematic universe that feels authentic rather than manufactured. Its success is rooted in the fact that it was never intended to be a franchise, which allowed it to grow organically without sacrificing quality or character integrity.
Challenges to the Franchise’s Future
However, Ballerina marks a turning point-John Wick no longer appears invincible. The film’s scenes, such as the sudden snow-covered graveyard encounter between de Armas and Reeves, feel jarring and out of place, as if the franchise is desperately trying to stretch its narrative to include more John Wick moments. This forced inclusion feels like a cynical marketing ploy, a way to artificially boost standalone appeal at the expense of storytelling coherence. The franchise’s once-strong identity risks becoming diluted, and the reliance on familiar faces in unexpected contexts only underscores its struggle to stay relevant.
Keanu Reeves makes a supporting appearance in Ballerina, with his John Wick character confronting Ana de Armas’s Eve.
The film industry today is more complex than ever. Audiences often demand familiarity and comfort, which can lead to predictable storytelling. Yet, if we truly value the integrity of storytelling and the depth of our characters, we might consider this: perhaps John Wick’s era is coming to an end. His words of warning-urging others to leave the Ruska Roma-would have been enough. Instead, we’re given more of him, but paradoxically, less of what made him compelling. The franchise’s reliance on nostalgia and superficial cameos risks eroding its core identity.
I’m uncertain whether John Wick should be revered as a mythic figure, but it’s undeniable that no fictional character has captured the cultural imagination quite like him. Still, it’s disheartening to see how easily beloved characters are commodified-recast as digital skins or plastic figures in a game, rather than preserved as meaningful icons. The line between honoring a legacy and cheapening it is razor-thin, and the franchise’s current trajectory raises questions about the future of storytelling in an age obsessed with franchises and merchandise.
